You do not have to stay to stay in Canada.
If your status depends on an abusive spouse or partner, there is a measure built for you: a fee-exempt permit that can come with an open work permit and healthcare coverage — so leaving does not mean losing your status.
Built for people whose status is tied to someone unsafe.
Family violence includes physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse. Using your immigration status to control you is itself a form of abuse.
Sponsored spouses and partners
Your sponsorship is in process and your partner is threatening to withdraw it, or using it to control you.
Most commonDependants on someone else’s permit
Your status flows from a spouse’s work or study permit, so leaving can feel like losing everything at once.
Parents with children in Canada
You need to protect your children’s status and schooling as well as your own.
Financial and psychological abuse
Control over money, documents or your passport counts. Abuse is not only physical.
Status expiring soon
Your permit is running out and the abuser controls the renewal. Urgent, and fixable.
What this measure actually gives you.
Status in your own name
A permit that gives you temporary resident status independent of your spouse or partner.
A fee exemption
There are no processing fees, so cost is never the reason you cannot leave.
An open work permit
Authorisation to work for almost any employer, so you can support yourself independently.
Healthcare coverage
Coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program may be provided while the permit is valid.
Protection for your children
Dependent children in Canada can usually be included in the same application.
A route to stay
Where appropriate we plan the longer-term option, often an H&C application, alongside the permit.
Reach out when you are ready.
You do not need to have decided anything. Share as much as you feel safe sharing and a licensed RCIC will explain your options privately.
- What this permit gives you, in plain language.
- Whether your children can be included.
- How quickly status and a work permit can be arranged.
- The longer-term route to staying in Canada.
Confidential enquiry
Handled privately. Use a safe email and phone number if you can.
Thanks — we’ll be in touch
A licensed RCIC will review your details and reach out, usually the same business day.
Message us on WhatsAppQuestions about family violence and immigration status?
We keep every common question — eligibility, documents, timing, fees and processing — answered and updated in one place.