Dependents are the main applicant’s spouse or law partner, including children and their children. The immigrants who are under 22 years and do not have a spouse or partner are considered dependents. In addition, if they are over the age of 22 and rely on parents for financial support because of physical or mental conditions, they will also be considered dependents. A principal applicant is the person who is currently a temporary resident or applied for permanent residence. For some special programs and situations, they can ask for a dependent work permit to be along with the applicant in Canada.
International students:
A spouse or law partner, or the family members of the student who are valid study permit holders can apply for the work permit of the dependent if the student meets the following requirements:
- Studying for master or doctoral degree
- Participating in eligible program pilot
- Studying in following professional degree programs at a University
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
- Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
- Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)
Spouses or common law partners or family members of individuals under Quebec jurisdiction can apply for a dependent work permit through the pilot program.
High-Skilled Worker:
Spouses or common law partners, dependent children or family members of a foreign worker occupied in a high-skill occupation can apply for dependent open work permit if the following requirements are met.
The principal applicant must meet the following:
- Have a valid work permit, or an approval for the permit, or lastly an authorization to work without the work permit
- Have a work permit that is valid for 6 months when IRCC receives a dependent’s open permit application
- Live or plan to live in the country while working there
- Be employed in a high-skilled occupation at the time of application (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities, also known as TEER)
Dependents must meet the following:
- Meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit
- Genuine relationship with applicant
- Have valid temporary resident status or have applied to extend or restore their status if they are living in Canada
However, they are unable to apply for a dependent open work permit if the applicant is in the following circumstances:
- Made a refugee claim that was referred to the Immigration Refugee Board
- Subject to unenforceable removal order
- International student in a co-op program
- International student working off campus without a work permit
- Applied for PGWP but received negative decision
- Carry spousal open work permit