Inviting Family Members Updated July 2013 Who are you inviting? o o Dependent family members (example: spouse or children) Other family members (example: parents, siblings) – who will not depend on you financially. Do you have enough money to support them? CIC guidelines for determining minimum financial resources for one year are: Student Living Expenses: +expenses for the first dependent +each additional dependant +student’s tuition fees Total $10,000 $ 4,000 $ 3,000 + ______ ______ How long will they stay? Dependent family members - If you are inviting your spouse and/or children, you should consider the length of time for their visit and provide proof of funds for their entire stay. Non-dependent family members - the length of the stay should be clearly indicated, along with evidence of the ties to their home country which would require them to return at the end of the short visit. Is a visa required? If your family member is a citizen of a country or territory which requires a visa to enter Canada, your family member will submit an application for a temporary resident visa (TRV) to the nearest Canadian visa office. For list of countries and territories requiring a visa: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp Is an Immigration Medical Examination Required? Depending upon which country your family member is currently living in, how long they intend to stay here, and whether or not they wish to work in an occupation in which protection of public health is essential, an Immigration Medical Examination may be required. See the following web page for more information: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/medexa ms-temp.asp Does your family member wish to work or study in Canada? Work Permit – The spouse of a full-time international student is eligible for an open work permit. The work permit will be restricted from certain fields (health services, child care, education) unless they had an immigration medical examination. The work permit application is normally submitted in Canada. Study Permit – Your spouse can apply for this before or after arrival (if admitted to a program of study). If your child will attend school (grade 1 or higher) upon arrival to Canada, a study permit application should be submitted for the child prior to entry to Canada. Once in Canada, a study permit is no longer required to attend primary or secondary school (for dependent children of long-term study permit and work permit holders). A study permit is required for post-secondary studies. Application Forms: Temporary Resident Visa - Download the TRV application forms, checklist and instruction guide from: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa .asp  Each family member (adults and children) must complete the Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257)  Family Information form (IMM 5645)  Schedule 1—Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257—Schedule 1) The principal applicant, his or her spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, and all dependent children aged 18 years or older listed in the application for temporary residence must complete their own copy of this form. Preparing the Application You and your family member should carefully review the instructions on the website of the Canadian visa office at which the application will be submitted. Procedures vary among visa offices. To find the nearest visa office, see: o http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/index.as p#international. Supporting Documents – to be included with your family’s visa application:     Completed TRV document checklist (IMM 5484) and all supporting documents listed on the checklist All supporting documents listed on the visa office’s web site – some visa offices provide an additional checklist A letter of Invitation from you to your Family Member(s), including the following information about the person(s) being invited: o Complete name and date of birth. o The person’s address and telephone number. o Your relationship to the person being invited. o The purpose of the trip. o How long the person you are inviting intends to stay in Canada. o Details on accommodation and living expenses. o The date the person you are inviting intends to leave Canada. Your letter must also include the following information about yourself: o Complete name and date of birth. o Address, telephone number and email address in Canada. o A photocopy of a document proving your status in Canada (your study permit or work permit). o A certificate of registration or letter from your department – confirming your current enrolment status at the University of Alberta. o A letter from your employer if you are currently working under post-graduate employment. o o o Proof of your income - letter from your employer or graduate department, including length of your contract and your salary. Bank statement (showing detailed transactions on your account for 6 months) T-4 slip (Canadian tax slip showing your total income for the past year) – if applicable Other financial resources (example: letter from a family member who is providing financial support)  Proof of your family member’s own financial resources (if applicable)  Evidence of your family member’s ties to their home country o Letter from current employer – indicating the length of employment and approved leave (if visit is short term) or the probability that the employer would rehire the person upon their return from Canada. o Letter from past employers (if applicable) – to demonstrate employment history. o Proof of ownership of property o Evidence of travel history – if the applicant has previously travelled abroad and returned to the home country. See: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/letter.asp for more information about Letters of Invitation. Note: Temporary resident applications made outside Canada can now be completed online. To determine your family member’s eligibility to complete their application online use the assessment wizard found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/cometocanada.asp For more information visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.as p?q=421&t=16 Check latest processing times online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp Disclaimer This tip sheet contains general information and is not intended to act as legal advice. If you have any questions about your situation please contact a lawyer or registered immigration consultant, or refer to the below Government of Canada websites. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information given in this tip sheet, the requirements relating to students’ immigration status in Canada are complex and change frequently. Students are bound by the regulations created by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. We cannot accept responsibility for changes to these rules. Verification  Proof contained of your finances youcan arebe obtained through the following websites: for any of the information in this tip (if sheet inviting dependent family members). Citizenship and Immigration Canada- http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index-can.asp Canada Border Services Agency- http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html