An Absolute Guide On The Dependent Visa In Canada

Canada is the ideal choice for millions looking to relocate for work or study. But staying in the country alone is a discouraging factor for many. To solve this issue, the Government of Canada issues dependent visas to reunite you with your family.

If you already have the citizenship of Canada or are a PR holder or a work permit holder, you can sponsor your dependent spouses, parents, grandparents, etc. Read this blog to know all details related to dependent visa in Canada.

What is a dependent visa in Canada?

A dependent visa enables you to reunite yourself with your dependents. With this visa, your dependents can stay in the country with you. After relevant permits, they can even study or work in the country. You can sponsor the following relations under the Dependent visa in Canada-

• Your spouse or conjugal partner
• Your children below 21 years of age
• Your dependent parents or grandparents
• Your child adopted from outside the country while holding Canadian citizenship or PR status
• Your close relatives such as an uncle, brother, niece, aunt, etc.

Your sponsored relations can also apply for a work permit to work within the premises of Canada.

Eligibility requirements to sponsor a dependent

To sponsor a dependent, you should fulfill the following requirements:

• Be over the age of 18
• Be a permanent resident of Canada or hold the Canadian citizenship
• Not be taking government aid except in the case of disability
• Be in the low-income threshold
• Your marriage with your spouse should be legal
• Your relationship with your dependents should be genuine

General documents required for a Dependent visa in Canada

• Passport information and past travel history
• Documentation to prove background
• Documents to show your relationship with your spouse 
• Sponsor must also show proof of income to prove adequate funds
• A completed application with a consulate fees

Eligibility requirements to sponsor a spouse

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Must live in Canada or plan to return once the spouse becomes a permanent resident
• For the next 3 years, you should be able to support the financial needs of your partner/spouse
• To sponsor your spouse, you should be possessing a permanent resident status, a work visa, or be a citizen
• Your relationship with your spouse should be over a year old. This proves the reality of the relationship and that it was not formed only for this purpose.

Can a spouse work on a dependent visa?

Dependents are allowed to work in Canada. However, to work, you need an open work permit. Under an open work permit, you will have absolute freedom to work in any part of Canada other than Quebec.

This permit can be availed only after your dependent has reached Canada. So, the advisable thing to do is to apply for a work permit or study visa as soon as your dependents arrive in Canada.

Child visa to bring dependent children to Canada 

Via the dependent visa, you can sponsor your children to come to Canada-

• A child that you intend to adopt within Canada
• A child that you adopted while you were a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada itself
• Sponsor’s brother, grandson, sister, granddaughter, or nephew if they no longer have their parents and they meet the eligibility criteria

Eligibility conditions for child visa

The following are the eligibility conditions for a child visa:

• The child should be under the age of 18 and should not have a spouse or conjugal partner
• The child must be the sponsor’s biological or adopted child
• Be able to prove that the child is dependent on the sponsor financially
• Dependent children who cannot support themselves as a result of a physical or mental condition do not have an age limit
• Be able to show proof of your relationship with your child
• The children being sponsored should not have any pending criminal cases against them. Moreover, they would need to undergo a medical examination
• A medical examination is to be done by a physician approved by the government of Canada

Eligibility requirements for sponsoring your parents to Canada

• You are 18 or above years of age
• You live in Canada
• You are a Canadian citizen/ Canada PR holder/ an individual registered under the Canadian Indian Act
• You have the finances in place for sponsoring your parents in Canada
• Be able to show proof of your income for providing adequate resources

Time required to get a dependent visa in Canada

All paperwork needs to be submitted first. Then, it approximately takes 3 months for the interview to be held at the Embassy of Canada. After this, you only need to wait for the stamping of the visa on your passport.

Benefits of Dependent Visa in Canada

• Free from submitting IELTS score

There’s no requirement for you to submit the IELTS score while applying for a dependent visa in Canada. IELTS is not an eligibility criterion for a spouse visa.

• Work Experience

Your dependents do not need to show any work experience for this visa.

• Work in Canada

Your spouse can work in Canada with the employer of his/her choice after getting the required permits. This allows your spouse to meet their financial needs while staying in Canada.

• Being with your spouse

You and your spouse can live together and form a good life in Canada together.

Conclusion

Through the dependent visa in Canada, you can reunite with your family. If you meet the eligibility, you can sponsor your dependents such as your child, spouse, parents, etc. It is the perfect answer to live with your family while working in Canada.

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