Bring Your Family to Canada While You Study
Your spouse, partner and children can often come with you while you study, but each person applies on their own application. Some spouses can get an open work permit, and children may study too. We check each family member’s route and your funds before anyone files.
since 1991
Can your family come with you?
Yes, in many cases. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can apply to come with you, and each person needs their own application. You must also show enough living funds for every family member who comes (IRCC).
What about work and school?
Some spouses can apply for an open work permit, depending on your program. Children may study with a permit, or in some cases without one. Read our spousal open work permit guide, the study as a minor guide and the proof of funds guide. The Study in Canada hub shows the full path.
Key rules at a glance
- Own applications: each family member applies separately, and may submit with yours.
- No letter of acceptance: a family member of someone with an approved study or work permit does not need a letter of acceptance.
- Funds: living funds go up with each person. IRCC lists amounts for 1 to 7 people.
- PhD students: doctoral students and accompanying family may qualify for faster processing.
Which situation matches yours?
Pick the situation that matches yours below.
Bringing family fits if
- You have a valid study permit or an approved application.
- You can show living funds for everyone who comes.
- Each person has a valid passport and meets the basic rules.
Check these first
- Spouse wants to work: work rights depend on your program level. Read the spousal open work permit guide.
- Children need school: rules depend on age and your status. Read the minor guide.
- Status lapsed: each family member restores their own status and pays their own fee.
See the Study in Canada hub, the funds guide and the extend or change guide.
Why family applications get refused or delayed
Five problems cause most trouble. Source: IRCC.
Funds do not cover the family
Living funds rise with each person. Show the amount for your full family size.
Missing family documents
Each person needs a passport, photos and proof of the relationship. Missing papers delay or sink the file.
Work permit not available
Not every student’s spouse can get an open work permit. Check your program level before you plan around it.
Child under 17 without care
Children under 17 must come with a parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada.
Lost status
If you or your family lose status, each person must restore it with their own application.
Not sure who can come?
We check each family member’s route, your program and your funds before you file.
Timing you cannot miss
Apply together when you can
Family members can submit their applications with yours. Applying together helps IRCC link the files.
Doctoral students and their accompanying family members may qualify for faster processing. Check IRCC’s eligibility rules and how to flag your application.
When you extend your study permit, family permits often depend on yours. Plan their extensions at the same time.
Documents to gather
Each family member needs their own set. Start with these.
How bringing family works, step by step
Six stages from your plan to your arrival.
Plan who comes
List each family member and their goal: work, study or visit.
Add up the funds
Use the living funds for your family size.
Apply for each person
Each person has their own application.
Gather family papers
Relationship proof, birth certificates and photos.
Give biometrics
Do this within 30 days of each letter.
Travel together
Keep every permit condition and plan extensions.
Family costs
From IRCC pages. Last updated: October 2026.
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Bring your family FAQs
Can my spouse come with me to study in Canada?
Yes, in many cases. Your spouse or common-law partner can apply to come with you. They can apply for a visitor visa, a work permit or a study permit, depending on their plans. Each person applies on their own application.
Can my spouse work in Canada?
Some spouses can get an open work permit. It depends on your program, such as a master’s program of 16 months or more or a doctoral program. Read our spousal open work permit guide for the current rules.
Can my children come and go to school?
Yes. Children may study in Canada, and rules depend on their age and your status. A child who arrives with you generally needs a study permit at the primary or secondary level. A child already in Canada with you does not need one, but having one helps. Read our minor guide.
Do my family members need a letter of acceptance?
No, if they are family of someone who has an approved study or work permit before they come to Canada. IRCC lists this as an exception.
How much money do I need for my family?
Living funds rise with family size. IRCC lists CAD$29,192 for 2 people, CAD$35,888 for 3 and CAD$43,572 for 4 for applications from September 1, 2026. Read our funds guide.
Can we apply together?
Yes. Family members can submit their applications together with yours. They must still complete their own application.
What if my family loses status?
Each family member must apply separately to restore their status and pay their own restoration fee. There is no group rate.
Is there faster processing for PhD students?
IRCC says doctoral students and accompanying family members may qualify for faster processing. Check the eligibility rules and flag your application correctly.
What if my child is under 17?
A child under 17 must come with a parent or legal guardian, or have a custodian in Canada. The custodian is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and forms must be notarized.
Can my family stay if I finish my studies?
Their permits often depend on yours. Plan together before your studies end. Read our PGWP guide.
Do family members pay the same fees?
Each person pays their own application fees. Study permit fees, work permit fees and biometrics add up. Check the IRCC fee list.
What if a family application is refused?
You can reapply with new proof or ask the Federal Court to review the decision. There is no appeal. See our study permit refused guide.