Canadian Visit Visa For Family Members
A Canadian Family Visitor Visa is an entry visa that allows a foreign family member of a Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or someone who is admitted as refugee in Canada to visit the country. It can be issued for anywhere from six months to five years depending on the purpose of the visit and the relationship of the applicant to the main applicant. During their time in Canada, the visitor is allowed to travel around the entire country
If you are the Canadian citizen, it is important to make sure that the rest of your family living outside the country can visit Canada if they wish to. There is a special Family Reunification Immigration program that can help you achieve this goal while providing your family members with an opportunity to spend some time closer to home. Through this program, Canada differentiates between two types of family class immigrants: immediate family members and extended family members. The aim of this program is to reunite families that have been torn apart for various reasons by giving them a chance to reunite in Canada. If you are interested in bringing your wife, husband or child to Canada, then the first step towards this goal is applying for a Canadian visitor visa for family members (subclass 602 of Temporary Resident Visa).
Canadian Visit Visa For Family Members
When you’re ready to move to Canada permanently, finding a job is your number one priority. As you look for jobs, one of your biggest concerns may be to bring your family with you. Unlike many other countries, Canadian immigration laws allow Canadian work visas to include immediate family members. There are certain requirements and restrictions that will apply in certain situations regarding family Get Help Easily . For example, if your family member has a job offer in Canada or is coming here on a study permit. It’s important to know how many family members can accompany you when moving to Canada.
Do I have to apply separately for my family members?
Family members must complete their own application forms. However, you may submit your applications together online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and use one payment receipt for the total amount.
Your spouse or common-law partner and children must meet all of the requirements for temporary residence in Canada.
Are there medical requirements?
If you plan to visit or study for six months or less:
You usually do not need a medical exam.
If you plan to visit or study for more than six months:
You will need a medical exam if you:
- have lived temporarily for six or more months in a row
- in any of these countries or territories
- in the one year immediately before the date you want to enter Canada. (This applies even if you are a citizen of a country that does not need a visa to enter Canada.)
Regardless of the length of time you are in Canada, you will need a medical exam if you wish to work in one of the following fields:
- a designated occupation, such as the field of health services or with children. Examples of designated occupations include hospital staff, clinical laboratory workers, patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes, and medical and dental students admitted to attend Canadian universities;
- to work in agricultural occupations, you will need a medical exam if you have lived in certain countries or territories.
You and your family members may need a medical exam to come to Canada. Find out more by checking the Medical examination requirements for temporary residents.
You may either:
- have an upfront medical exam by contacting a Panel Physician; or
- wait until your application is reviewed and medical instructions are given to you by the visa office.
Get the instructions to complete the medical exam.
When medical results are submitted up front, routine cases benefit from faster processing since we do not have to ask for them at a later date. This is done at your own cost and does not influence the final decision on your application. If you have an upfront medical exam, you must submit proof that you completed the medical exam with your application. Failure to do so may result in processing delays.
Biometric (fingerprints and photo) requirements
You may need to appear in person to have your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) taken at a biometric collection service point. If your family members are also applying, they may need to appear in person to have their biometric information taken as well.
If you’re in Canada as a visitor and you apply for an initial study or work permit, you need to give your biometrics. As of December 3, 2019, you need to give biometrics when you apply from within Canada. You can go to a designated Service Canada location.
Find out if you need to give biometrics.
Note: If you need to give biometric fingerprints and photo, you do not need to include paper photos with your application.
How often do you give your biometrics
You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years. You don’t need to give your biometrics again until the 10-year period expires.
If you gave biometrics in the past as part of an application for a visitor visa, work or study permit and they are still valid, you don’t need to give them again for this application.
Find out if your biometrics are still valid and when they expire by using the Check Biometric Status Tool.
When to give your biometrics
If you submit your application online or by mail.
You can give your biometrics after you:
- pay for and submit your application and biometric fees, and
- get a biometric instruction letter (BIL) that will direct you to a list of official locations you may choose from. You are encouraged to give your biometrics as soon as possible after getting the BIL.
If you submit your application in person at a visa application centre (VAC)
You may be able to book an appointment in advance to give your biometrics at the same time that you submit your application at a VAC. If you can’t give your biometrics when you submit your application you will have to make an appointment at the VAC to give them at a later date.
Where to give your biometrics
You need to book an appointment to give your biometrics at one of these official biometric collection service points.
We’ll start processing your application after we get your biometrics.
Can I work or study during my stay in Canada?
Visitors are not allowed to work or study in Canada unless they are authorized to do so under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. In many cases, a work or study permit will be required.
A temporary resident may also take a program of study up to six months duration without having to obtain a study permit.
Information about the parent and grandparent super visa
About the super visa
The multiple-entry super visa allows parents and grandparents to
- enter Canada multiple times
- stay in Canada for a period of up to 2 years on each entry
Important information: Applicants who do not normally require a visa to enter Canada must also submit an application to a visa office. See section below for visa-exempt applicants.
Who may apply for a super visa?
To apply for a super visa, you must either be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
You cannot include your dependent children in this application. If your spouse or common-law partner want to come with you, they need to also submit an application.