Does Canada allow family reunion during a college program?

One of the biggest concerns of those planning to study in Canada is having to be away from their family for so long. The good news is that yes, Canada not only allows but also facilitates family reunion during college programs! The country has very friendly policies for international students to take their loved ones along on this transformative journey. Let's uncomplicate this topic and show you how you can study, grow professionally, and still have your family by your side on this Canadian adventure.

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How does family reunion work in Canada

The Canadian government understands that keeping the family together is fundamental to the well-being of international students. For this reason, it created several ways so that spouses and children can follow who is doing Public College in Canada or Private College in Canada - Co-op.

Canadian law allows dependents of international students to apply for specific visas to accompany the main student. That's not just a kindness — it's a smart strategy for the country to attract and retain talent.

Types of visas for family members:

• Visitor Visa: For temporary stays
• Work Permit (spouse): It allows you to work legally
• Study Permit (children): For school-age children

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Who can bring the family: main requirements

Not every college program entitles you to family reunion. There is a logic behind this that has to do with the duration and nature of the course.

Programs that generally allow family reunion:

• Courses with a minimum duration of 6 months
• Programs at public institutions (easier)
• Long-term co-op courses
• Diploma and certificate programs

Requirements for the main student:

• Be enrolled full time
• Demonstrate financial capacity to support the family
• Have a valid student visa
• Maintain good academic performance

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Visa for a spouse: when is working allowed

Here comes an important part: depending on the type of program you choose, your spouse may be allowed to work in Canada. This can make all the difference in the family budget!

O Open Work Permit (OWP) for spouses it is available when the main student is enrolled in:

Eligible programs:

• Master's degree with a minimum duration of 16 months
• Doctorate
• Specific professional courses (professional degrees)
• Public College in Canada with eligible programs

Eligible institutions:

• Public Colleges and Universities
• CeGEPs in Quebec
• Private schools authorized to grant degrees

Benefits of the Open Work Permit:

• Work in any area
• No time limit
• For any employer
• Change jobs freely

Important requirements:

• Main student must have at least 16 months left on the visa
• Marriage certificate or proof of common-law marriage
• Processing time: generally 2-4 months

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Children can study for free

If you have school-age children, get ready for a nice surprise: they can study for free in the Canadian public system! That's right, free public education for children of international students.

Benefits for children:

• Free elementary and secondary education
• Access to the same system as Canadian children
• Possibility to learn English and French
• Invaluable multicultural experience

Just imagine: while you're investing in your professional education, your children are having access to one of the best education systems in the world. It's like killing two birds with one stone.

To make it even easier, many provinces offer special integration programs for children who don't speak English as a first language.

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Financial proof: how much do you need

Let's talk about numbers because that's an important part of the process. The Canadian government wants to make sure that you have enough money to support the entire family.

Approximate values required (annual):

• Main student: CAD $15,000-20,000
• Student + spouse: CAD $28,502
• Student + spouse + 1 child: CAD $35,040
• Each additional child: CAD $6,170

These amounts are in addition to the course fees and represent the basic cost of living. It's important to remember that these numbers may seem high, but they include all family expenses: housing, food, transportation, clothing, and personal expenses.

How to prove:

• Bank statements for the last 4 months
• Income tax return
• Letter from the bank
• Proof of investments
• Property documents (if any)

The tip is to start organizing this documentation well in advance. And remember: if the spouse gets a work permit, this can help a lot with the family budget, even if it's not counted on the initial proof.

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Timing: when to bring the family

The issue of timing is super important and can have a big impact on everyone's experience. There's no single rule, but some strategies work better.

Option 1: Travel together from the start Advantages:

• Family united from the beginning
• Joint adaptation
• Mutual emotional support

Disadvantages:

• Higher initial financial pressure
• More stress in the first few months
• Complex logistical issues

Option 2: Student goes first, family later

Advantages:

• Time to adapt on your own
• Organizing housing and practical aspects
• Get to know the city better

Disadvantages:

• Separation period
• Two separate visa processes
• Possible family anxiety

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Required documents: full checklist

Let's get to the practical part: what documents do you need to prepare to bring your family? Here's a complete checklist so you don't forget anything.

For the spouse:

• Marriage certificate or proof of common-law marriage
• Valid passport
• Medical exams (when requested)
• Financial proof
• Completed application forms
• Photographs in the required standard

For the children:

• Birth certificate
• Individual passport
• Age-specific medical exams
• School transcript (if of school age)
• Travel authorization (if only one parent travels)

General documents:

• Proof of ties with Brazil
• International health insurance
• Proof of accommodation in Canada
• Travel itinerary

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Family housing: options and costs

Finding housing for an entire family is quite different from renting a student room. The options are different and so are the costs.

Housing options:

• Apartments: More privacy but higher costs
• Shared homes: Economy, but less privacy
• Basement suites: Popular intermediate option
• Family homes: Some schools offer

Average monthly costs:

• Toronto: CAD $2,000-3,500 (2 bedroom apartment)
• Vancouver: CAD $2,200-3,800 (2 bedroom apartment)
• Montreal: CAD $1,200-2,000 (2 bedroom apartment)
• Smaller cities: CAD $800-1,500 (2 bedroom apartment)

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Be Easy

Bringing your family to Canada during your college program is not only possible, it can be one of the best decisions of your life. Na Be Easy, we've helped hundreds of families get together in Canada, and we know exactly how to make that process simpler and safer. Our specialized team knows all the details of the family visa processes and offers full support from planning to everyone's arrival in Canada. Contact us today and discover how we can help you transform your dream of studying in Canada into an unforgettable family experience!