SPOUSE VISA

International Students/ Skilled Workers and PGWP holders can bring their Family to Canada

Family reunification is the second largest category of Canadian immigration.Family unification is a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration policy and a stated objective of IRPA [s.3(d)]. Even if you’re only intending to study in Canada for a couple of years before returning home, you might not want to leave your family behind. Immigration Canada recognises how hard separation, even brief separation, can be for families. That’s why international students are eligible to bring their families with them when they come to Canada to study.

Spouses or common-law partners of study permit holders – [R205(c)(ii) – C42] – Canadian interest – International Mobility Program (IMP)

On April 30, 2024, the Minister designated the work performed by the following spouses or common-law partners of full-time students as necessary under subparagraph 205(c)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR):

spouses or common-law partners of full-time students in graduate programs (master’s and doctorate)
spouses or common-law partners of full-time students participating in one of the eligible pilot programs administered by a province or territory
spouses or common-law partners of full-time students in professional degree programs in a university (for example, medicine, dentistry, law)
spouses or common-law partners who hold a valid open work permit under the C42 category and who are extending their work permit as spouses or common-law partners of full-time students in a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligible program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution.

This International Mobility Program (IMP) work permit category is intended for spouses and common-law partners who are not, themselves, already study permit holders actively engaged in full-time studies. The reasons for allowing spouses to enter Canada and work is to increase the competitiveness of Canada’s academic institutions or economy.

In these instructions, “spouse” refers to either common-law partner or married spouse situations.

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) [R205(c) - C43] – International Mobility Program

The minister designated as necessary the work performed by foreign nationals who have graduated from an eligible program and designated learning institution in Canada for public policy reasons related to the competitiveness of Canada’s academic institutions or economy, under subparagraph 205(c)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) category allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3 helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class.