A complete family application —
study permit (SDS) + spousal open work permit + visitor visa for a 2-year-old — approved together in about 3 months, for an MBA at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN).
Steps from the thread:- Apply as one family file. Applicant (32) applied with spouse (30) and toddler in the same submission. Some agents refuse joint files for applicants in their 30s as "risky"; this approval shows it's done routinely.
- Do upfront medicals before submitting. Medicals were completed ~2 weeks before the application; IRCC had them re-updated once mid-process, which is normal.
- Meet the program's own bar first. The MBA required GRE/GMAT plus a minimum IELTS 7.0 overall — check program requirements separately from visa requirements.
- Funds: members confirmed the $10,000 GIC satisfies SDS, and additional comfort funds can be shown by attaching your own or your spouse's account statements.
- Ties to home country came up as a question worth preparing for in your documentation, especially for family applications.
Timeline: applied 10 February → medicals re-updated 13 May → PPR 18 May.
If an agent refuses to file your spouse alongside you because of age or "risk", get a second opinion — this thread's applicant succeeded with exactly that profile.