How to Bring Your Loved Ones to Canada for the Holidays

Canada offers a variety of temporary and permanent immigration routes to allow you spend the holidays with your family.

Family Reunification in Canada

One of the cornerstones of Canada’s immigration policy is family reunion. By permitting citizens and permanent residents to bring their close family members to Canada, Canadian immigration laws aim to promote family unity. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident may bring the following family members through various immigration pathways:

·        Spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners

·        Dependent children (children who are under the age of 22 and unmarried)

·        Parent(s) and grandparent(s)

·        May be eligible to bring other close family members, depending on your individual circumstances

There are ways to temporarily bring family members to Canada, which is ideal for the holidays, even if permanent residence is the usual path that individuals pursue.

Temporary Resident Visas (TRV)

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a popular method for bringing qualifying family members to Canada so that families can get together for the holidays. Your family members can enter Canada for a predetermined amount of time with this kind of visa.

The TRV regulations have been revised by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The change increases the latitude granted to visa officers in determining whether to grant a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and for what duration. When determining the length of your visa, officers will consider your financial situation, your reason for travelling, and your connections to your home country. Among the supporting documentation are:

·        Marriage certificate, birth certificate etc. proving the Canadian resident’s relationship with the applicant.

·        Financial support documents indicating that the applicant can financially support themselves during their stay in Canada

·        A letter of invitation from the Canadian resident explaining the purpose of the visit, the planned duration, and accommodation arrangements for the applicants stay

·        Evidence that the applicant will return to their home country after the visit (e.g., ties to their home country such as a job, property, etc.)

*Please note that additional documentation may be required

The TRV application process might take several weeks, depending on the volume of applications and your unique situation, so it’s crucial for families planning to get together over the holidays to apply as soon as possible to minimise delays.

Super Visa for Parent(s) and Grandparent(s)

The Super Visa is one option you might want to think about if you wish to spend the holidays with your mom or grandparents. Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents are the target audience for this form of guest visa, which enables them to remain in Canada for extended periods of time without having to renew their status. Super visas are particularly advantageous for people who want to spend a lot of time with their family, especially during the holidays, as they can be issued for up to five years.

Eligibility requirements for a Super Visa include:

·        Must be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

·        Provide proof of financial support from their Canadian child or grandchild

·        Medical examination proving that they are in good health to travel and stay in Canada for the duration of their stay

·        Proof of valid health insurance coverage in Canada for at least one year

More documents may be required depending on your personal circumstances to strengthen your application

Because the Super Visa gives them more freedom than a typical TRV, it allows your parent or grandparent to stay with you for a longer amount of time, which is perfect around the holidays.

Visitor Visas for Other Family Members

Since these relatives are not automatically eligible for extended stays, the visitor visa is also an excellent alternative for individuals who want to spend the holidays with them. They can apply for a TRV to visit for holidays or special occasions. With visitor visas, Canadian citizens or permanent residents may be allowed to bring other family members, such as their siblings or adult children, for brief stays.

Supporting Documentation for Other Family Members on a Visitor Visa includes

·        A letter of invitation from you (the Canadian resident) explaining the purpose of (your dependents) the applicants visit

·        Proof that the applicant will return home after their visit.

Spousal and Family Sponsorship for Permanent Residency

Regardless of the holidays, most people want to bring their spouse or common-law partner to Canada permanently. If you find yourself in this situation, you may want to consider applying for spousal or family sponsorship. This is one of Canada’s popular immigration pathways that allows Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents to sponsor their spouses, partners, and dependent children to come to Canada as permanent residents. If approved, this would be the ultimate gift this holiday season, if we do say so ourselves.

Whether you are planning to bring your spouse, children, parents, or grandparents to Canada for the holidays, temporarily or permanently, there are various immigration pathways available to help you celebrate together.

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