How to Move to Canada as a Family

Including Dependents on Your Immigration Application

Most Canadian immigration programs allow you to include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children (under 22 and unmarried) on your application. They receive permanent residence status at the same time as you — there is no separate application needed for included family members. Common-law relationships are recognized after 12 months of continuous cohabitation, and same-sex relationships are treated equally under Canadian immigration law. Each dependent increases your proof-of-funds requirement and adds processing fees, but the fundamental advantage of immigrating as a family unit is that everyone transitions together. You cannot add dependents after submitting your PR application (with limited exceptions), so ensure everyone is included from the start. If your child turns 22 during processing, they remain eligible as long as they were under 22 when the application was submitted (this is called "locking in" the age). Dependent children who are 22 or older may still qualify if they have depended substantially on parental financial support since before age 22 due to a physical or mental condition.

Proof of Funds by Family Size

The settlement funds requirement scales with your family size, and these amounts are updated annually. Current requirements: single applicant $14,690, family of two $18,288, family of three $22,483, family of four $27,297, family of five $30,690, family of six $34,083, family of seven or more $37,476. These funds must be readily available and transferable — typically shown through bank statements, investment account statements, or guaranteed investment certificates. You are NOT paying these amounts to the government; you're proving you have enough savings to support your family during your initial settlement period. Important exemptions: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants do not need to show proof of funds if they have a valid job offer or are currently working in Canada. Provincial Nominee Program applicants with a valid job offer in the nominating province are often exempt as well. The funds must be in your name or in a joint account — your spouse's separate account can count if they are included on your application. IRCC may request up to 12 months of bank transaction history to verify the funds are genuine and not temporarily borrowed.

Application Fees for Families: Complete Breakdown

• •Principal applicant processing fee: $1,365 CAD — this covers the evaluation of your application including background checks, medical review, and document verification for the main applicant.
• •Principal applicant Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $515 CAD — this is paid when your application is approved and must be paid before your PR visa is issued.
• •Spouse/partner processing fee: $1,365 CAD — same as the principal applicant, your spouse goes through the same evaluation process.
• •Spouse/partner RPRF: $515 CAD — same as principal, paid upon approval.
• •Each dependent child processing fee: $230 CAD — children under 22 pay a reduced processing fee and no RPRF.
• •Biometrics: $85 per person or $170 per family (maximum) — fingerprints and photo taken at a designated collection point.
• •Medical examination: $200-450 per person depending on country — must be performed by an IRCC-designated panel physician. Includes chest X-ray for anyone over 11 and blood tests for anyone over 15.
• •Language tests: $280-350 per test — IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF/TCF for the principal applicant and optionally for the spouse to boost CRS score.
• •Educational Credential Assessment: $220 CAD (WES) plus transcript fees — required for the principal applicant, optional for spouse.
• •Police clearance certificates: $50-150 per person per country — required for every family member aged 18+ from every country where they lived 6+ months since age 18.
• •Total example for a family of four: approximately $5,000-6,500 CAD in government fees and mandatory costs, plus language tests and ECA.

Canadian School System for Immigrant Children

Canadian public education is free for children of permanent residents and most work permit holders from kindergarten through grade 12 (ages 4-5 to 17-18). The school year runs from September to June with summer break in July-August, plus winter and spring breaks. Schools operate under provincial education ministries, so curriculum and structure vary slightly by province. Registration requires proof of immigration status (PR card, work permit, or study permit), proof of address in the school catchment zone, immunization records (which can usually be updated after enrollment), and previous school records translated into English or French. French immersion programs are available in all provinces — children can receive their entire education in French within the English school system. This is an excellent opportunity for immigrant children to become bilingual. ESL (English as a Second Language) or EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is provided at no extra cost for children who need it. School buses are free in most areas for children living beyond walking distance. Lunch programs, extracurricular activities, and school supplies may have modest costs. The quality of public education is generally high across Canada — international PISA scores consistently rank Canada among the top performers globally.

Canada Child Benefit: A Major Financial Advantage

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is one of the most generous child benefit programs in the world, and permanent residents qualify from their first year of Canadian tax filing. The maximum annual benefit is approximately $7,787 per child under 6 and $6,570 per child aged 6-17 — these are tax-free monthly payments deposited directly into your bank account. The actual amount depends on your family's adjusted net income: families earning under $36,502 receive the maximum benefit, with the amount gradually decreasing for higher incomes and phasing out entirely around $200,000 for a family with two children. To receive CCB, you must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, have a valid SIN, live with and be primarily responsible for the care of the child, and have filed a Canadian tax return. You become eligible the month after you arrive in Canada as a PR. For a family with two children under 6 earning modest income, the CCB provides approximately $1,300/month tax-free — a significant supplement that can cover childcare costs, children's activities, or general living expenses. Provincial child benefits often add additional amounts on top of the federal CCB.

Healthcare Coverage for Families

Provincial healthcare covers all family members who are permanent residents or work permit holders. Coverage includes doctor visits, specialist referrals, hospital stays, surgeries, emergency care, prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, and diagnostic tests (blood work, X-rays, MRI, CT scans). Pediatric care — including well-baby checkups, vaccinations according to the Canadian immunization schedule, and developmental assessments — is fully covered. The waiting period for coverage varies by province: Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and most Atlantic provinces provide immediate coverage. Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec impose a 3-month waiting period for new residents. During any waiting period, purchasing private family health insurance is essential — family plans from Manulife, Sun Life, or Blue Cross cost $300-600/month and cover doctor visits, emergency care, and prescriptions. What provincial healthcare does NOT cover: prescription medications (except when administered in hospital), dental care (except emergency hospital dental), vision care (except for children in some provinces), orthodontics, physiotherapy, and psychology. Most employers provide supplementary family health insurance that covers these gaps, making out-of-pocket healthcare costs minimal for employed families.

Childcare in Canada: Costs, Subsidies, and Options

Childcare is a significant consideration for immigrant families with young children. Canada is implementing a national $10-per-day childcare program that is being phased in across provinces — as of the latest updates, several provinces have reduced fees to $10-15/day or less, with the target of $10/day nationwide. Before this program, daycare costs ranged from $800-2,000/month per child depending on the city and type of care. Licensed daycare centers (most regulated) accept children from infancy to age 5. Home daycares (smaller, licensed providers operating from their homes) are often cheaper and more flexible. Before-and-after school programs for children aged 6-12 cost $200-600/month. Waitlists for licensed daycare spaces are common in major cities — register for multiple centers as soon as possible, even before you arrive in Canada. Provincial childcare subsidies are available for low-to-moderate-income families, potentially covering 50-100% of daycare fees. The federal Child Care Expense Deduction allows you to deduct up to $8,000 per child under 7 from your taxable income. Settlement agencies can help you navigate childcare registration and subsidy applications as part of their newcomer services.

Best Provinces for Immigrant Families

• •Ontario — Largest job market in Canada. Extremely diverse schools where children from 200+ countries study together. Strong settlement services network. High cost of living in Toronto but affordable in cities like London, Windsor, Hamilton, Kingston. Excellent universities for children's future education.
• •Alberta — No provincial sales tax (only 5% GST), immediate healthcare coverage (no 3-month wait), affordable housing in Calgary and Edmonton, excellent public schools, Rocky Mountain lifestyle. Strong job market in energy, tech, and agriculture. Family-friendly cities with low crime.
• •Manitoba — Lowest cost of living among major provinces. MPNP is one of the most accessible PNPs for families. Immediate healthcare coverage. Strong newcomer support through IRCOM and Manitoba Start. Large, established immigrant communities. Affordable family housing in Winnipeg.
• •Nova Scotia — Growing but still affordable. Atlantic Immigration Program makes immigration easier. Welcoming small-city communities. Lower competition in schools and sports. Ocean access. Halifax is increasingly diverse and vibrant.
• •British Columbia — Mildest Canadian climate (important for families from tropical countries). Excellent schools consistently ranked among Canada's best. Beautiful outdoor lifestyle. Very expensive housing in Vancouver but more affordable in smaller BC cities like Kelowna, Kamloops, and Victoria.

Spousal Work Rights and Open Work Permits

Immigration rules around spousal work authorization are very favorable for families. If the principal applicant holds a work permit, their spouse is eligible for an open work permit — meaning the spouse can work for any employer in any occupation anywhere in Canada. This is true regardless of whether the principal applicant's work permit is LMIA-based, LMIA-exempt, or an IEC permit. If the principal applicant is an international student at a public post-secondary institution, their spouse is also eligible for an open work permit for the duration of the study period. Once your family receives permanent residence, both spouses have unrestricted work authorization. Spouses should apply for their open work permit at the same time as the principal applicant's work permit. Having dual income as a family significantly eases settlement — many newcomer families find that the spouse's employment is crucial for financial stability in the first year. Settlement agencies offer employment support specifically for newcomer spouses, including resume help, credential recognition guidance, and connections to employers who actively hire immigrants.

Housing for Families: What to Know

Finding family-appropriate housing is one of the most important settlement tasks. Most newcomer families should rent for at least their first year to understand the local market before buying. For a family, you'll typically need a two or three-bedroom apartment or house. Monthly rents for a 2-bedroom apartment: Toronto $2,800-3,200, Vancouver $2,800-3,200, Calgary $1,800-2,200, Ottawa $2,000-2,400, Winnipeg $1,400-1,700, Halifax $1,800-2,200. When choosing where to live, consider school catchment zones (children attend the school designated for their neighborhood), proximity to public transit and your workplace, access to grocery stores and community services, and the presence of your ethnic community for social support. Canadian rental law protects tenants with strong rights including limits on rent increases, restrictions on eviction, and requirements for landlords to maintain the property. You'll typically need first and last month's rent as a deposit (varies by province). Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet) add $200-400/month. Furnished apartments are less common than in some countries — budget $2,000-5,000 for basic furniture from IKEA, Facebook Marketplace, or thrift stores.

Social Integration: Building Community as a Family

Successful family settlement goes beyond finding a job and a home — social integration is crucial for long-term happiness, especially for children. Canada offers abundant opportunities for family social integration. Community centers in every Canadian city offer affordable programs for children (swimming, sports, arts, music) and adults (fitness, language classes, social groups). Public libraries provide free programs including children's storytime, homework help, ESL conversation circles, and newcomer orientation. Religious institutions (churches, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, synagogues) are major social hubs for many immigrant communities. School parent councils and volunteer opportunities connect you with other families in your neighborhood. Cultural associations organize festivals, language schools, and social events that help maintain your cultural identity while building Canadian connections. Settlement agencies run specific programs for newcomer families: kids' play groups, parenting in Canada workshops, family mentorship programs, and summer camp subsidies. Sports are a powerful integration tool — enrolling children in hockey, soccer, basketball, or swimming not only keeps them active but creates natural social connections for both children and parents.