Temporary measures to reunite families of Indigenous people separated by Canada's border

Before you apply

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If you’re eligible, you and your accompanying family member(s) can apply to work or study in Canada under these temporary measures.

Definition of accompanying family members

Accompanying family members come to Canada with you and are defined as your

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Applying to work in Canada

You can’t apply for a work permit under these temporary measures at the port of entry. Under these temporary measures, you must apply for a work permit either

  • before you travel to Canada or
  • after you’ve entered Canada

What is an open work permit

An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada for up to 3 years, except for one that

Even if you don’t plan to work in Canada right away, applying for a work permit gives you the flexibility to work later on and may give you access to some provincial or territorial services depending on the province or territory where you plan to work. It’s important to check the province or territory website for more information.

Medical exams

If you’re eligible to apply under these temporary measures, you’re exempt from getting an immigration medical exam. However, your employer may request their own medical examination based on the type of job you plan to work at.

Applying to study in Canada

You can’t apply for a study permit under these temporary measures at the port of entry. Under these temporary measures, you must apply for a study permit either

  • before you travel to Canada or
  • after you’ve entered Canada

If you’re applying under these temporary measures for post-secondary studies, you’re

Exemptions for a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution

You’re exempt from getting a letter of acceptance from a DLI if

  • you’re the family member of the main applicant and
  • the main applicant’s work or study application is approved and
  • the main applicant hasn’t travelled to Canada yet

What is a study permit

A study permit allows you to study in Canada. You may have access to some provincial or territorial services depending on the province or territory where you plan to study. It’s important to check the province or territory website for more information.

Who needs a study permit

Whether or not you need a study permit depends on how long you or your eligible family member plans to study and what type of program or level of school you plan to attend.

Most people need a study permit to attend the following types of schools or courses for 6 months or longer:

  • primary school
  • secondary school
  • academic level courses in secondary or post-secondary school
  • professional level courses in secondary or post-secondary school
  • vocational or other education or training in secondary or post-secondary school

You don’t need a study permit to

  • attend preschool
  • complete a distance learning program
  • follow audit courses (where a student is permitted to attend an academic course without obtaining credits)
  • take courses for tourists included in tour packages
  • take a non-academic course
    • This includes professional or vocational courses of general interest (for example a cooking course or art class)
  • take a course or a program of study for 6 months or less

Why you may still want to get a study permit

Having a valid study permit means you may be able to

Study permits for your dependent children

You should apply for a study permit for your dependent child before you travel to Canada if they’re attending

  • primary school
  • secondary school or
  • post-secondary school

Work while studying

If you’re in post-secondary school, you can work in Canada without a work permit if your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus. You can’t work before your program of study begins.

If you’re in secondary school, you can apply for an open work permit and study permit at the same time through these temporary measures. This will allow you to work while you’re in school, or during the summer for example.

Learn more about studying and working in Canada as a study permit holder.

Studying in Quebec

If you want to study in Quebec, you need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), which is issued by the Government of Quebec.

For more information, contact the school where you want to study or the Government of Quebec.

Applying to stay longer in Canada

Under these temporary measures, you can apply to stay longer in Canada if

  • you’re already in Canada with valid temporary resident status or
  • you’re in Canada without valid temporary resident status

If you apply to stay longer as a visitor, we may issue you a visitor record. This allows you to stay in Canada as a visitor. You can also apply for a work or study permit through these temporary measures while you’re in Canada.

Applying for a temporary resident permit

You might have past circumstances that need to be considered before you can apply to work, study or stay longer in Canada. Depending on the answers you give in your application, you may be contacted by an officer to provide further documentation and you may be issued a temporary resident permit.

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