Documentation for your family

It may be possible for your dependents to come live with you in Canada during your studies as a visitor, student, or worker.

Dependents include:

• Spouses
• Common-law partners
• Dependent children

They can apply when you make your initial study permit application from outside Canada or apply separately to join you after you’ve arrived. Typically, their study permit, work permit, or visitor record will be issued for the same length as your study permit.

If their passport expires soon, they should extend it well in advance since documents cannot be issued beyond the expiry date of a passport.

Each family member, even infants, will have their own Canadian immigration document. It is important that each family member maintains valid status in Canada by either leaving Canada or applying to extend their stay before their status in Canada ends.

Common-law partners

Canadian immigration policy considers a common-law partner in the same manner as a legal spouse. Common-law partners are people of the same or opposite sex who have lived together continuously in a conjugal, marriage-like relationship for at least one year.

Be sure to attach proof of your common-law relationship as supporting documentation, along with a notarized Statutory Declaration of Common Law Union [IMM 5409] (pdf) form.

Depending on your dependents’ situation, they could come to Canada as a visitor, student, or worker.

Study permits for your children

A child under the age of 19 in British Columbia is considered a minor child. Minor children applying from outside Canada to accompany a parent who will work or study in Canada for 6 months or longer must apply for a study permit. They do not need to provide a letter of acceptance from an educational institution.

Minor children already in Canada can study without a study permit at the pre-school, primary, or secondary level if at least one parent is authorized to work or study in Canada. In general, having a study permit rather than a visitor record can make the immigration process run more smoothly for accompanying minor children.

You should also bring the following documents for your children:

• 2 years of your child's official school records, in English or with a certified English translation
• Your child's immunization records since birth
• Your child's original birth certificate

Read more information on what a minor child needs to study in Canada if they’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Children usually start elementary school in the year they turn 5 years old. If your child is not yet school aged, they do not require a study permit and should apply for a Temporary Resident Visa or electronic travel authorization, if required. You should request a Visitor Record for them when entering Canada. 

If your child is 19 or older, they will need to apply for their study permit independently. If they meet the definition of a dependent child, you can submit their Visitor Record application together with your study/work permit application.

You will need to purchase private temporary health insurance for at least their first 3 months in Canada, such as iMED, then apply for the Medical Services Plan once they’ve arrived in British Columbia, if eligible. You might also be eligible to enroll your dependents in the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan. For iMED and AMS/GSS Health and Dental, check the dates by which you can add dependents. 

Learn about health insurance for international students.

If a family member such as a parent requires a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and wants to come visit you in Canada temporarily—for example, to attend your graduation ceremony—you can provide documents to help them with their TRV application.

If they need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), they could consider bringing additional documents as well.

Read the guide

Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC's Vancouver campus.

View the guide