Not sure if your child is a dependant? Check if your child qualifies by answering a few questions.
If your child’s age was locked in on or before October 23, 2017, a previous definition of dependent children may apply.
Family members must complete their own application forms. However, you may submit your applications together online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and use one payment receipt for the total amount.
Your spouse or common-law partner and children must meet all of the requirements for temporary residence in Canada.
To work in Canada, your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children must apply for their own work permits. Each person must meet the requirements to get a work permit, including the LMIA requirement.
They may, however apply for their work permit from within Canada.
Your children may attend school in Canada. You must apply for their study permit at the same time as your own. If your children plan to join you at a later date, they must apply for a study permit before coming to Canada.
You usually do not need a medical exam.
You will need a medical exam if you:
You and your family members may need a medical exam to come to Canada. Find out more by checking the Medical examination requirements for temporary residents.
You may either:
Get the instructions to complete the medical exam.
When medical results are submitted up front, routine cases benefit from faster processing since we do not have to ask for them at a later date. This is done at your own cost and does not influence the final decision on your application. If you have an upfront medical exam, you must submit proof that you completed the medical exam with your application. Failure to do so may result in processing delays.
The officer’s decision is based on the type of job you will have and where you have lived in the past year.
If you want to work in health services, child care, primary or secondary education, you will need a medical exam and a satisfactory medical assessment before we can issue you a work permit.
If you want to work in agricultural occupations, you will need a medical exam if you have lived in certain countries or territories.
Note: A medical exam may add over three months to the processing of your application.
You may need to appear in person to have your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) taken at a biometric collection service point. If your family members are also applying, they may need to appear in person to have their biometric information taken as well.
If you’re in Canada as a visitor and you apply for an initial study or work permit, you need to give your biometrics. As of December 3, 2019, you need to give biometrics when you apply from within Canada. You can go to a designated Service Canada location.
Find out if you need to give biometrics.
Note: If you need to give biometric fingerprints and photo, you do not need to include paper photos with your application.
You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years. You don’t need to give your biometrics again until the 10-year period expires.
If you gave biometrics in the past as part of an application for a visitor visa, work or study permit and they are still valid, you don’t need to give them again for this application.
You can give your biometrics after you:
You may be able to book an appointment in advance to give your biometrics at the same time that you submit your application at a VAC. If you can’t give your biometrics when you submit your application you will have to make an appointment at the VAC to give them at a later date.
You need to book an appointment to give your biometrics at one of these official biometric collection service points.
