Can my spouse or common-law partner and dependent children come with me to Canada?

If you are coming to Canada for a short time

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can come with you to Canada or visit you in Canada, if they

• meet all the requirements for temporary residents to Canada,
• satisfy an immigration officer they will only stay in Canada temporarily,
• can prove they have no criminal record, if necessary, and
• meet all the conditions for getting a temporary resident visa, if they are from a country or territory whose citizens require a visa in order to enter Canada as visitors.

If you are moving to Canada permanently

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can come with you to Canada if

• you and your family members meet the eligibility requirements of your program (for example, you meet the income requirement to sponsor your family members),
• your children qualify as dependants, and
• your family members are not inadmissible to Canada.