Can a student bring parents to Canada on a work visa?

In Canada, the parents of international students are generally not automatically eligible for work permits when the student is granted a study visa. However, there are specific circumstances in which parents may be able to obtain a work permit or other types of permits. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Work Permit for Spouses/Partners of Study Permit Holders

• Spouse or common-law partner: If an international student is studying in Canada on a valid study permit, their spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit. This means the spouse/partner can work for any employer in Canada without a specific job offer.

• This open work permit is typically granted if the student is enrolled in a full-time program at a designated learning institution (DLI), and the program duration is at least 8 months.

2. Parental Work Permits

• Parents of Minor Children: If the international student is a minor (under 18 years of age), the parents may be able to apply for a visitor visa, but there is no guarantee of work authorization.

• In most cases, parents are not eligible for a work permit solely because their child is studying in Canada. They would need to apply for a separate work permit, which would generally require a job offer from a Canadian employer or meeting other specific criteria.

3. Visitor Visa:

• Parents of international students can apply for a visitor visa to come to Canada to visit their child. However, a visitor visa does not allow them to work in Canada.

• If they want to work, they would need to meet the criteria for a work permit or apply for an employer-specific work permit after they arrive.

4. Other Work Permit Pathways:

• Parents can explore other pathways for obtaining work permits, such as through labor market needs, provincial nominee programs, or other immigration pathways. However, these options are generally independent of the student’s status.

Conclusion:

Parents of an international student are typically not eligible for a work permit just because their child has a study permit in Canada. The best option for a work permit would be for the spouse or partner of the student, not the parents. Parents may be eligible for a work permit in specific cases, but this is not automatically linked to the student’s study visa.