Frequently asked questions:
Working temporarily in Canada

Work permits

Who are considered family members?

Family members are the immediate members of your family. Your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children are your family members.

A common-law partner is a person of the opposite or same sex who lives with you now and has lived in a conjugal relationship with you for at least one year.

Dependent children may be your own children or those of your spouse or common-law partner. A child must meet the requirements of type A, B or C below to be considered a dependent child.

Type A

• He or she is under the age of 22 and single, that is, not married and not in a common-law relationship.

Type B

• He or she married or entered into a common-law relationship before the age of 22 and, since becoming a spouse or a common-law partner, has
  • been continuously enrolled and in attendance as a full-time student in a post-secondary institution accredited by the relevant government authority and
  • depended substantially on the financial support of a parent.

OR

• He or she is 22 years of age or older and, since before the age of 22, has
  • been continuously enrolled and in attendance as a full-time student in a post-secondary institution accredited by the relevant government authority and
  • depended substantially on the financial support of a parent.

Type C

• He or she is 22 years of age or older, has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 22 and is unable to provide for herself or himself due to a medical condition.