One of the reasons why immigrants love Canada is because of the country’s friendly immigration policies.
Unlike many other nations that are tightening their borders, Canada is open to welcoming you if you will contribute positively to the country’s community and economy.
Canada’s immigration system is designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, students, and family members of Canadian residents and citizens.
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So, as a resident of Canada, under some immigration conditions, you are allowed to not only live in the country but you can also bring your relatives into the country.
Canada values family unity and makes it a priority to help immigrants reunite with their families.
The government’s immigration policies focus on keeping families together, which makes it easier for foreign residents to bring their loved ones to Canada.
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As a resident of Canada on a work permit in Canada, if you want to bring your wife to Canada, below are your options and what you need to do.
Bringing someone to Canada on a work visa
Every visa issued to an applicant by Canadian immigration authorities comes with conditions.
Whether it is a work visa, visitor visa, student visa or business visa, there are conditions attached.
These conditions determine what you can or can not do in Canada.
Can I bring my wife to Canada while on a work visa?
Yes, you can bring your wife to Canada while on a work visa. To do this, you need to sponsor her application for a temporary resident visa or a work permit, depending on her intentions in Canada.
Canada has provisions for spouses of persons on work visas to join them and live together.
However, before you do that, you and your wife need to meet the requirements – that’s the only way to make it happen.
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Before you get excited, there are a few challenges you should know about.
Not all work visa allows you to bring your wife
Yeah, that’s right; not all work visas in Canada automatically allow you to bring your wife to the country.
The eligibility to bring your wife depends on the type of work permit you hold and the conditions attached to it.
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Generally, if you have a work permit that is valid for at least six months, you can apply to bring your wife to Canada.
Eligibility criteria for you to bring your wife to Canada
Before you bring your wife to Canada, you must meet the following eligibility
- Have a valid work permit: You must hold a valid work permit in Canada.
- You need proof of funds: You should be able to demonstrate that you can financially support your wife when you bring her to Canada. You will provide her basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing.
- Proof of relationship: You also need to provide evidence that you have a genuine relationship with your wife. You can provide your marriage certificate, photos together, shared financial commitments, and communication records.
Eligibility criteria for your wife
Aside from you, your wife also needs to meet certain requirements set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before she can join you in Canada.
Your wife should:
- Have a valid international passport.
- She needs to undergo a medical examination to make sure that she meets Canada’s health standards for immigration.
- She will provide a police certificate from each country she has lived in for six months or more since turning 18.
- She will prove that she will leave Canada when her authorized stay ends – this is only applicable if she is applying to stay for a while.
How to bring your wife to Canada while on a work permit
You can bring your wife to Canada through spousal sponsorship, this means you, as a Canadian resident with a valid work permit will sponsor your wife’s application to come to Canada.
Your wife can come for a temporary stay (visitor visa) or a work permit, depending on why she wants to come to Canada.
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To bring your wife to Canada while you’re on a work permit, check if you are eligible to sponsor her, if you are, fill out the spousal sponsorship application form and attach all the required documents.
Once done, submit the form, pay the non-refundable application fee and wait for your application to be processed and approved.
Once it is approved, your wife will receive either a temporary resident visa or a work permit, depending on the application.
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When your wife finally enters Canada, she will be able to reside, work, or study.
If your wife plans to work in Canada, she will be eligible for an open work permit.
An open work permit will allow her to work for any employer in Canada, except those that are listed as ineligible.
To apply for an open work permit, you need to:
- Fill out the required application forms like the IMM 5533.
- In your application, include documents like your marriage certificate and your valid passport (your wife’s passport should be included as well).
- Pay the application fee online and submit your recent passport-sized photographs.
- Also include documents like proof of financial support, medical exam results, or police clearance certificates.
- You should also add evidence of your relationship with your wife like support letters from friends and family, photographs, or joint account documents.
If your family members do not plan to work, they should apply for a visitor visa or study permit.
Financial support
As your wife’s sponsor, you will be responsible for her financial needs during her stay in Canada.
In your application, you need to demonstrate that you can provide for their basic needs.
Aside from your wife, you can also bring other family members like dependent Children, Parents and Grandparents or brothers to Canada while on a work visa.
When can I bring my wife to Canada?
Once you meet all the spousal visa sponsorship requirements, you can bring your wife to Canada. Your wife can live, work or study in Canada with your sponsorship.
How long does it take to sponsor parents to Canada?
If you are eligible to sponsor your parents to Canada, it takes approximately 12 to 24 months for your parental sponsorship applications to be processed in Canada.
Can I marry in Canada on a work visa?
Yes, you can get married in Canada while you’re on a work visa if you meet all the legal requirements for marriage in the province or territory where you plan to wed
Conclusion
It is possible to bring your wife to Canada while you are on a work visa, however, you have to meet the entire eligibility requirements before that can happen.
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You must have a valid work visa and be capable of financing her needs in Canada while she is with you.
When she arrives in Canada on your sponsorship, she can live, work or study in Canada.