Spouses, Partners and Families
Last Updated: Monday, December 03, 2012 11:54:39 AM ET
The following information relates to international students or scholars, and their families.
Students and Scholars with Children
Further Questions?
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Welcome
Welcome Spouses and Partners! Being the accompanying partner or spouse to a student or scholar is a unique, exciting but also challenging experience. It takes a great deal of courage to re-locate from a completely different country to accompany your spouse or partner. Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) staff are committed to supporting you as you make this transition. You are part of the Queen's Community and are always welcome at our Centre.
Spouses and partners can sometimes face loneliness, financial stress, unemployment and isolation. To provide further insight into these issues, we have included quotes (in italics) from international spouses and partners. Quotes include some concerns and recommendations that other spouses and partners have identified. We have also included some ideas or tools that will help you.
The Living In Kingston Guide is a valuable resource that QUIC has designed with the needs of international students and their families in mind. It contains links and ideas about the issues below as well as housing, education, banking, health care, and living in Canada.
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Immigration Status in Canada
Talk with one of the International Student Advisors about your immigration status in Canada.
The accompanying family of an international student or worker (ie. spouse, partner and/or children), is eligible to stay in Canada as long as the student continues to have legal status. The spouse or partner is also eligible to apply for a work permit that gives them the right to work in Canada. More information on that opportunity can be found below. If the spouse or partner is admitted into an academic program, they can and must apply for a study permit within Canada. Instructions are available at on our Studying in Canada page.
Sometimes it is necessary to apply to extend your status in Canada. This can be done on paper or online. The paper forms are available through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website while an online application to extend your status as a visitor is also available. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) try to give detailed instructions on the process. A few useful additional notes include:
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The "Apply online or access unsubmitted application" link is on the right-hand side of the screen. This will bring you to the Online Services page where you can identify that you are applying from "Inside Canada".
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Whether you use their GCKey or the Sign-in Partner login, keep a record of your username and password somewhere safe.
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If you decide to exit at any point, all responses submitted until that point will be saved. The next time you access your MyCIC account page and click on the Visitor Record application you have in process, you will be brought to the last unanswered question.
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The application fee can be paid online (if you have a valid credit card), or through a Canadian bank (using a payment form available from our International Student Advisors). A Visitor Record application costs $75 CAN.
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Citizenship and Immigration Canada publishes current processing times for temporary residency document applications (this includes Study Permits) through their processing centre.
More information on the GCKey and the application process is available from the International Student Advisors or through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
How do I apply for Temporary Resident (Entry) Visas (TRVs) for my family members so that they can enter/return to Canada?
If you are applying for a Study Permit or Work Permit outside of Canada and you include your family in your application, a successful application will result in TRVs being issued. If you are applying solely for TRVs, you must provide a completed application form for all members of your family that will accompany you.
More information is available on our Canadian Permits and Visas page.
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Learning the English Language
Get involved in the English Language Support Program
If you are interested in formal, paid English language instruction, consider contacting the Queen's School of English or check the "yellow pages" section of the telephone book for information about English Language classes.
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Staying Healthy and Active
Get physically active!
Although winters are long and cold in Kingston, they are also filled with lots of great things to do such as ice skating, hockey, and indoor sports. Summers are hot and can be filled with great outdoor pursuits and water sports. Check out the Recreation section of the Living In Kingston Guide to learn more about recreational activities. Queen's also has a wide range of athletic-based clubs.
Form or join a community group or club
There are many groups to join in Kingston and there is a listing of them in the QUIC Resource Library. This is a great way to meet new people, learn something new or pursue a passion. There are a number of clubs associated with the Queen's University International Centre. Queen’s also has lots of special interest clubs or athletic-based clubs that are associated with the Alma Mater Society (the Queen’s undergraduate student government).
QUIC’s hope is that there will be a group of spouses and partners who would be interested in providing leadership and support for others by forming an association. Come to our Centre and let’s talk about the possibilities!
Check the QUIC Activities, Programs and Events Calendar
Copies of this schedule of events are available at the Centre. You will find many activites that you are welcome to participate in, including the Learning to Love Winter session. This session will give you ideas on how to combat the "winter blues" and stay healthy. You can also visit the Calendar of Events page on the QUIC website for information about upcoming events for the whole family.
Health Insurance and Care
Everyone gets sick sometimes. When that happens, it is important to know the services available to you and your family. QUIC has published Guides to Health Services in a number of languages. These guides include information on the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) and how to get care in Kingston.
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Managing Isolation: Getting Connected and Making Friends
Join the QUIC Welcome and Orientation Activities
Held in August/September and January, QUIC's Welcome and Orientation activities are a great way to meet others.
Share your experiences with others
The QUIC Resource Library has a Resource Binder that contains ideas, articles and studies that relate to spouses and partners. Come check it out and if you see something that you think relates to spouses and partners, please contact the International Student Advisors so that it can be included.
Check the QUIC Activities, Programs and Events Calendar
Copies of this schedule of events are available at the Centre. You will find many activites that you are welcome to participate in. You can also visit the Calendar of Events page on the QUIC website for information about upcoming events for the whole family.
Register for our E-mail Distribution List
This is a chance to receive e-mail updates on the latest events and opportunities at QUIC.
“I found that <getting out to meet people> was a big thing in keeping my sanity.
At first, I was spending a lot of time at home and I was starting to get really
depressed. I started to get sad about being here and I just wanted to go home,
but even if I am not meeting up with people, just going out of the house to go to
the gym or walk down to the shops. Even if I can’t afford to buy anything.”
Female students can visit the Ban Righ Centre
The Ban Righ Centre is a safe, welcoming meeting place and drop-in resource centre.
They assist women of all ages, especially those who are returning to university after a time away, to continue formal or informal education in an atmosphere where you will meet others with similar experiences and concerns with informed, supportive staff.
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Working and Volunteering
Talk with one of the International Student Advisors about applying for a work permit.
As the accompanying spouse or partner of an international student or worker, you are eligible to apply for a work permit that gives you the right to work in Canada. Do not forget that a work permit does not guarantee you a job.
For information on how to complete an application for a work permit, please visit our "Working in Canada" page.
Kingston Employment Youth Services (KEYS)
This is an organization that can help you with writing a "Canadian style" resume. They also have a job board where you can go to see who is hiring in the Kingston area.
“I didn’t know the rules for getting a job. What can you do, what you cannot do.”
“I think that if I had known how hard it was to get work, and I mean that we
<other Spouses and Partners> are all well qualified people. And knowing
how hard it was, even with that, I would have looked into studying at the
same time as my husband. Firstly, it would have improved my qualifications,
and improved my chances of getting a job. And I would have met people that
I have something in common with.”
Learn about volunteer opportunities at QUIC
These can include volunteering with the Resource Library, English Language Support program, Income Tax (spring), Orientation or the Country Representative program.
“I worked here at the International Centre as a library volunteer. Then after half of
a year I found a job in downtown, but not my specialty ‘cause I used to be
a teacher in <my country> I need certificate. But I worked there around
two weeks and they fired me, because of my English. So I had to look
for a job again. I found one as a dishwasher. But then they switched me
to salad maker. So, more money, but still not what I really want.”
Learn about Volunteer opportunities in Kingston
Getting involved in the city of Kingston can provide new social, language and employment opportunities.
“…a couple of months ago I got a good opportunity at <a local health care facility>.
I am volunteering <in the> physiotherapist department. It is wonderful for me.
I can enjoy shadowing, I can improve more my English too and get a
Canadian experience. I feel it is perfect.”
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Relationships
Being in a new environment, a new culture, with different responsibilities, can sometimes cause changes in your relationships as you learn and adjust. It is important to recognize that this is a common occurrence.
Talk with someone
If you want to talk with someone about what you are experiencing, the Cross-Cultural Counsellor can provide confidential support.
"…I have found that it has had a big toll on our relationship, because he is so busy with his
courses because his courses are a two year masters <program> crammed into one year.
He’s so busy with that, yet I want his attention because I felt so lonely and bored
here because I don’t know anyone.”
“You just feel like a weight on the shoulders of your husband, or your wife’s
shoulders. Now this feeling has been for years.”
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Students and Scholars with Children
We want to extend a special welcome to families that come from overseas to the Queen’s campus. Yours is a unique challenge as you adjust to a new culture, but also as you help your children navigate their way.
Child Care
The guide has information on many subjects that are meant to make life in Kingston a little easier. There you will find pages on The "Child Care" page of the Living in Kingston Guide provides information on finding care for your children while you work or run errands. The "Recreation" page includes fun activities that can help you and your children connect with Kingston.
Children's Education
Check out the Living in Kingston Guide. The children's education section of the Guide gives further guidance on finding a school for your children and getting them enrolled in studies.
Child Tax Benefit
The Government of Canada offers the Canada Child Tax Benefit to the parents of young children in Canada. You and your children must have been in Canada for a minimum of 18 months to qualify. Any parent that is in Canada must also file Canadian Income Tax forms to qualify (even if they have no income in Canada). More information is available on our "Taxes" page.
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Further Questions?
If you have further questions, after reviewing the information above, advising is available (without an appointment) from the International Student Advisors at the Queen's University International Centre from Monday to Friday between 1:00pm and 4:30pm.
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