When one spouse plans to study in Canada and the family has a young child, there are a couple of routes group members discussed for how to handle travel together.
Option 1 — Apply together as a joint application (study permit + Spousal Open Work Permit).
Many members reported success applying as a family unit: the studying spouse applies for the study permit while the other spouse applies for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) at the same time. Outcomes were described as case-by-case, so approval isn't guaranteed, but this route lets the family travel and settle together from the start.
Option 2 — Studying spouse goes first, family follows via visitor visa.
Alternatively, the studying spouse can go alone first. The accompanying spouse and child can then apply for a visitor visa to join later, and once the study permit is confirmed and settled, convert the visitor status into a work permit. Members noted the visitor visa process itself can take a few weeks to process.
On timing: exact confirmation timelines for a study permit application (if applying by end of May) vary by visa office and intake, so check current IRCC processing time estimates for your specific application type rather than relying on a fixed number.
Takeaway: if keeping the family together from day one matters most, the joint application route (study permit + SOWP) is the more common path group members pursued, but it isn't guaranteed — the visitor-visa-then-convert route is a fallback if timing or approval odds are a concern.