Can Nepali students bring their spouse or family to Canada?
Short answer: If you are married or have a common-law partner, they may apply for an open spousal work permit valid for the duration of your study permit. Your dependent children may attend Canadian public school free of charge. You can bring family members, but each requires their own permit and each application involves its own processing time.
The spousal open work permit page explains the conditions. Both applications (yours and your spouse's) are typically submitted together or shortly after each other. Processing times are separate.
Children enrolled in publicly funded K-12 schools attend at no tuition cost. This is a significant benefit for Nepali families where both adults plan to work in Canada while the children are in school.
Parents of students do not qualify for open work permits. They can apply for visitor visas to visit during the school year, but visitor visa approvals for Nepali nationals are not guaranteed. A strong student profile (enrolled full-time, meeting conditions, healthy finances) makes a parent's visitor visa application more credible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying in Canada from Nepal
Do I need IELTS to apply for a study permit from Nepal?
IELTS is not required to obtain the study permit itself. IRCC does not set a specific language test requirement for the study permit application. However, your Canadian school requires proof of English proficiency as part of its admissions process, and most schools accept IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic. If you plan to apply for a PGWP after graduation, you will need a recent IELTS General or CELPIP score at the required CLB level at the time of your PGWP application. Plan your test schedule accordingly so the score is still valid within two years of your PGWP application date.
How much money do I need in my bank account?
IRCC requires proof that you can pay first-year tuition plus $20,635 CAD for living expenses. For a college program with $18,000 tuition, that means showing at least $38,635 CAD equivalent in your account or through a GIC. Bank statements from Nepali banks (NIC Asia, Global IME, Nabil, Himalayan Bank) are accepted but must show a stable six-to-twelve month history. A recent large deposit right before the application raises credibility concerns with visa officers.
Why are study permit refusal rates high for Nepal, and how do I avoid a refusal?
Nepal has historically had higher refusal rates than some other source countries because of officer concerns about applicants not returning after graduation. A strong application addresses this directly: choose a school that matches your academic background, write a clear statement of purpose explaining your career plan and why Canada-specific study makes sense, and demonstrate ties to Nepal (family, property, future employment intent). Working with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) on the letter of explanation is the most effective way to reduce refusal risk, especially if you have had a prior refusal.
What happens after I finish my studies? Can I stay and work?
Yes. After graduation you can apply for a PGWP and work in Canada for up to three years. After working for at least one year in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), you become eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Some provincial nominee programs also have dedicated international graduate streams that can speed up the process. The immigration path post-graduation is well-established for Nepali graduates.
Can I visit Nepal during my studies without losing my study permit?
Yes. Your study permit remains valid as long as you maintain your full-time student status and continue meeting its conditions. You will need a valid travel document, and your study permit must still be valid when you re-enter Canada. If your study permit is near expiry, apply for an extension before you travel. Having a valid multiple-entry temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is also required to re-enter Canada, depending on your passport type.
Is Go Far Global the right firm to help me apply?
Short answer: Go Far Global is a CICC-regulated (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants) Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) firm based in Toronto. We help Nepali students choose the right school, program, and province, then manage the full study permit application including the PAL, proof-of-funds structuring, and statement of purpose. We also plan the PGWP and PR pathway from day one. Book a consultation to get started.
A licensed RCIC can review your specific documents, assess your approval probability, and guide your letter of explanation in a way that directly addresses the specific concerns visa officers flag on Nepali applications. We serve Nepali students in English and have processed applications for students accepted to colleges and universities across Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your specific situation with a licensed RCIC and the official IRCC website before submitting any immigration application.
Sources
