The Canada Visitor Visa is a Temporary Resident Visa for Canada which allows the holder to go to Canada for purposes such as:

• Tourism or holidays in Canada.
• Visiting family.

The Canada Tourist Visa allows you to go to a Canadian port of entry and ask for permission to enter the country. The Border Patrol Officers are the ones who are allowed to grant or deny you entry based on your documents and your situation.

If you have been issued a Visitor visa to Canada and the officers find that you do not have any criminal intentions, you will be allowed to pass the port of entry and begin your holiday or family visit in Canada.

Do I Need to Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa?

Most travelers will need a Visitor visa which grants them entry to Canada, although there are nationals of countries which will only need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), or they are completely exempt and can enter freely with their passports without needing a visa.

What are the Canada Tourist Visa Eligibility Criteria?

To be eligible for a Canada Tourist Visa, the applicant must fulfill some criteria. These requirements determine whether someone is allowed to apply for the visa and hold it.

If you cannot prove that you are eligible for the Canada Visitor visa, then they will reject you based on the fact that you are inadmissible in Canada. If you are proven to be inadmissible, then your only way of getting into the country is to get a Temporary Resident Permit.

Canada Tourist Visa Requirements

To apply for a Tourist Visa for Canada, you will also have to submit some documents, as follows:

• Canada Tourist Visa Application Form.
• Your bank or other financial statements to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada.
• A travel itinerary if you have already booked your air tickets, or just a description of what you plan to do once in Canada.
• A Canada visa letter of invitation from your family or friends if you are visiting them.
• Proof of the relationship if you are visiting your family.
• The immigration statuses of your family or friends if you are visiting them.
• Bank statements or other financial statements of your friends or family if you are visiting them.
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a Tourist visa.
• Two photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements.
• Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas, as well as a letter from your employer stating that you have contractual obligations to fulfill and you must return to your home country.
• Proof that your stay in Canada is temporary and that you will return to your home country once your visit is over, such as a lease, property deed, and so on.
• Proof that you do not plan to work or study in Canada.
• Court documents that prove you have a clean criminal history.

All the documents that you have that are in another language other than English or French should be translated.

How to Apply for the Canadian Visitor Visa?

To start the application for the Canada Visitor Visa, there are several forms and steps that you as the applicant must go through. The steps for applying for a Canada visitor visa are explained below:

1. Confirm your eligibility for the Canada visitor visa.
2. Complete the documents required for a Canada tourist visa.
3. Submit the Canada Tourist Visa Application form.
4. Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information.
5. Send your passport for stamping.

What are the Canada Visitor Visa fees?

The application fee per person for a Canada Visitor Visa is CAD$100. If you also have to submit the biometrics, that will cost you an additional CAD$85. So together, the whole cost of just applying for this visa is CAD$185.

In addition to this, you will also have to pay for the passport processing which will cost around CAD$45.

What is the Canada Visitor Visa Processing time?

The Canada visitor visa processing time ranges from 8 to 40 days. However, the processing time is different depending on the country you live in.  So, you will have to wait around 1 month for your Visitor Visa to be processed.

How long is the Canada Tourist Visa valid?

The Canadian Consulate decides for how long to give you the Tourist Visa for Canada on a case by case basis. There are cases when they only give the visa for that timeframe that you want to visit Canada, and then there are also cases when they give you the visa until your passport expires. This all depends on whether they believe you will return to your home country or not.

Despite how long your Canada Tourist Visa is valid, you are not allowed to stay there for more than 6 months at a time. So, after 6 months you must return to your home country, stay for some time and then you can return to Canada again for 6 months.

What Am I Allowed to do With a Canada Tourist Visa?

With the Canadian Tourist visa, you are allowed to travel around Canada for less than 6 months as long as you are in good financial standing. You are not allowed to get Canadian documents or stay in the country permanently. You are also not allowed to work or study, and you will not be allowed to file for health care or other governmental benefits.

Can I bring my dependents to Canada with a Tourist Visa?

Your dependents, such as your spouse and minor children can come to Canada with you with a Tourist Visa. However, they must have their own application, and everyone should pay separate fees. You must submit the applications together at the Visa Application Center or online so that you are processed as a family.

Canada Visitor Visa Extension

If you want to stay longer than 6 months in Canada with a tourist visa, you will need a visitor visa extension. This extension is called a Visitor Record.

You have to apply for a visa extension for Canada (visitor record) at least 30 days before your visitor visa expires.

What is a Visitor Record?

Unlike a visitor visa, the visitor record is not attached to your passport. It is an independent document which the IRCC gives you when they approve your application for visa extension.

The visitor record includes the date by which you have to leave Canada.

Keep in mind that a visitor record is only available while you are inside Canada. If you want to leave Canada and enter again, you will not be allowed entry with a visitor record.

If your visitor visa is about to expire, and you want to leave Canada and re-enter, you have to apply for a new Visitor visa.

You can also use a visitor record if you want to change your status from a:

• Study permit to visitor record
• Work permit to visitor record

How to apply for a Canada visa extension (visitor record)?

There are two ways you can apply to extend your visa for Canada: online and on paper.

Visitor record online application

To apply online, you must have an account on the IRCC website.

You will also need to visit IRCC’s website to read the instructions guide for extending a visa.  You have to scan your documents to create electronic copies, which you can submit on the online application tool.

You will also need a valid credit/debit card to pay your fees.

When applying and the question “What would you like to do in Canada?” appears, you should select “Visit.”

Then, on “What is your current country/territory of residence?” answer “Canada.”

Complete the rest of the application as instructed.

Visitor record paper application

First, you have to download the application package available on IRCC’s website. It includes document checklists, application forms, and application guidelines.

You have to read the application guidelines, provide all the necessary documents, and pay for the fees.

You have to print the application forms that are on the application package and sign and date them where required. You must attach all the required documents and fees to the completed application.

Then, you have to mail this application to the address stated on the application package.

Forms and documents you will need for a Visitor Record:

The forms

• Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder (IMM 5708)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409) (If applicable)

The documents

• Payment receipts
• Photocopies of passport pages. They must include:
  • Name and birth date
  • The passport number
  • Date of expiry
  • The stamp of your most recent entry into Canada
  • All other marked pages
• If you did not enter with a passport: Photocopies of your other your travel or identity documents. This could be an alien registration card, birth certificate, citizen certificate etc.
• If applicable: Photocopy of your current immigration document.
• If applicable: Marriage certificate.
• Proof of sufficient financial means.

It is worth mentioning that the online application is much faster and more convenient. You can submit it directly, it is processed faster, and, in case you have to provide more documents, you can do it instantly online. You can also avoid carrier and mailing fees.

Otherwise known as the Parent Visa in Canada or the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, this visa belongs to the Temporary Resident Visas. It allows these close relatives to visit their children and grandchildren for a set period of time. The children or grandchildren must be Canadian Permanent Residents or Canadian Citizens.

Whereas, the Canadian Visitor Visa could be used for this purpose, the Super Visa was created to lengthen the time that parents and grandparents could stay with their loved ones. The Canada Super Visa allows them to stay for up to 2 years at a time in Canada with their children and grandchildren if they fulfill the requirements.

During the time that parents and grandparents are in Canada with the Super Visa, they are not allowed to work or enroll in any part-time or full-time studies. They are also not allowed to try and get Canadian documents or Canadian benefits such as health care coverage. They are only allowed to stay with their relatives and visit the country.

What are the Super Visa Eligibility Criteria?

Since the Super Visa for parents and grandparents allows them to stay for such long periods of time, the requirements are also more extensive than the ones for just the visitor visa.

In addition to the criteria set for all Temporary Resident Visas for Canada, applicants must also go through a medical examination to be considered eligible for the Super visa.

If the applicant does not meet these requirements, then the Canadian Consulate will ask for more evidence. If you cannot prove that you are eligible, then they will deny your Super visa.

How to complete the Super Visa application?

There are several steps to complete the Super Visa application and they are listed and explained in detail below:

1. Confirm your eligibility for a Super Visa.
2. Compile the document file and application forms for a Canada Super visa.
3. Submit the Super Visa Application.
4. Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information.
5. Send your passport for stamping.

Compiling the Documents for Super Visa Canada

Within the Super Visa application, you will also have to submit the following supporting documents:

• The standard documents required for any visa for Canada.
• Your bank or other financial statements to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada.
• A travel itinerary if you have already booked your tickets, or just a description of what you plan to do once in Canada.
• A letter of invitation from your child or grandchild in Canada.
• Proof of relationship with the child or grandchild in Canada such as a birth certificate or other documents.
• The immigration statuses in Canada of your child or grandchild.
• Bank statements or other financial statements of your child or grandchild proving that they meet the Low-Income Cut Off minimum such as:
  • The latest copy of their Notice of Assessment.
  • The latest copy of their T4 or T1.
  • An original letter from your child’s or grandchild’s employer with their title, description, and annual salary.
  • Their employment insurance pay stubs.
  • If your child is self-employed, an accountant should confirm their annual income.
  • Proof of other sources of income such as investments, pensions, etc.
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a Super visa.
• Two (2) photos in compliance with the Canada Photo guidelines.
• Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas, as well as a letter from your employer stating that you have contractual obligations to fulfill and you must return to your home country;
• Other documents which prove you will return to your home country such as a lease, property deed, and so on.
• Documents that prove that you do not plan to work or study in Canada.
• Documents which prove that you have private medical insurance that is valid for a minimum of one year from a Canadian insurance company that covers the following:
  • Health care, repatriation, and hospitalization.
  • Has a minimum coverage of $100,000.
  • Has a validity for each entry to Canada.

Once you submit all the documents required for a Canada Super visa, you can then proceed to submit the application. After that, you will have to pay the Super visa application fee and your application will be completed.

How to meet the Low Income Cut Off point?

The Low Income Cut Off (LICO) is a requirement that your children or grandchildren must meet in order to be allowed to host you. This means that they have enough funds to guarantee your stay in Canada. They must state the number of people in their household that are dependents of them and others that they have sponsored, if applicable. They must also add you as the dependent when you come to Canada and they must have enough funds for all the people.

The table below provides an overview of the minimum amount of funds that your child or grandchild must have annually for different numbers of dependents.

If your child or grandchild does not meet these requirements, they can add their spouse or common-law partner and count their income too.

What are the Super Visa fees?

To apply for the Super Visa, there are two types of fees:

• The visa application fee of CAD$100;
• The biometrics processing fee of CAD$85;

When you send your passport for processing, you will also have to pay a passport processing fee of around CAD$45.

How Long is the Super Visa Processing?

You will have to wait from 8 days up to 45 or 50 days for the Super Visa to get processing. Additionally, the time it takes to process the Super visa will depend on the country you are from.

How Long is the Super Visa Valid?

Different from the Visitor Visa, the Super Visa has an initial validity of 2 years. When you get to the point of entry, you must check carefully whether the Border Patrol Officer has stamped your passport with the statement that it is valid for 2 years.

After 2 years, you can apply for an additional Super Visa from within Canada. You must start the application for extension at least 6 months before the first Super Visa expires.

Can I bring my dependents to Canada with a Super Visa?

Since you are visiting your child or grandchild, you are only allowed to bring your spouse or common law partner to Canada with you with the Super Visa. Your other children or grandchildren must apply for a Visitor Visa separately.

The Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa was created by the Canadian Government for these diplomats and officials to go to Canada on official duties and responsibilities. These diplomats and officials must be from a country that requires visas to go to Canada and who have a diplomatic or official passport.

Who Needs a Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa?

Diplomats or officials from foreign countries do not require this visa to enter Canada if they are in one of these following situations:

• They have an old passport which has a diplomatic, consular, or official Acceptance issued by the Canadian Chief of Protocol for Global Affairs on behalf of the Canadian Government.
• They are accredited diplomats, representatives, officers, or officials of a country of the United Nations or similar international agencies or organizations where Canada is a member.

If you are a diplomat or official that is not in these situations, you will need a Diplomatic or Official Canada Visa even if you are from any of the countries that needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada for other purposes.

What am I Allowed to Do with a Canadian Offical and Diplomatic Visa?

With the Canadian Offical and Diplomatic Visa, you will be able to enter Canada without going through a customs or immigration check at the Canadian port of entry. You will only have to go through a security check.

After you enter Canada, you may only stay for the time that you have an itinerary of official duties or responsibilities. You are not allowed to overstay your visa or try to take up employment or studies in Canada. You cannot apply for citizenship of Canada, apply to get Canadian issued documents or seek Canadian benefits such as health coverage.

You are only allowed to go through your official duties itinerary. If you want to visit Canada for purposes of tourism or other reasons, you must apply for a Canada Visitor Visa or another visa which fits your reason. Having a diplomatic or official passport does not immediately qualify you to enter Canada with the Diplomatic Visa, but you must have official duties in the country.

What are the requirements of the Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa?

There are multiple requirements to qualify for the Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa. The initial requirements must be your position within your foreign government. Different positions qualify for the Diplomatic Visa and for the Official Visa.

Diplomatic Visa Qualified Positions

You must belong to one of these categories to qualify for a Diplomatic Visa:

• Head of State or a member of an organization with duties of Heads of State. If you are a Head of State, then your family members qualify to accompany you to Canada with the Diplomatic Visa;
• Head of Government or a minister of a Government Cabinet from a foreign country. If you are a Head of Government, your family members also qualify to accompany you to Canada;
• Diplomatic agent travelling to or from your diplomatic mission or you are starting a temporary diplomatic mission in Canada;
• Career consular officer travelling to or from your consular post or you are starting a temporary mission in Canada;
• Delegate of an international organization listed in the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines which includes delegates attending conferences of these international organization, not including clerical staff;
• Senior official such as a Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, or similar positions of an international organization listed in the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines;
• Senior officer at a P-4 level and above of the Secretariat of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO);
• Foreign diplomatic courier;
• Special case authorized from the Headquarters of the Diplomatic Corps Services (XDC)
• Member of the family or household of a diplomatic agent or a senior officer of the Secretariat of ICAO.

Official Visa Qualified Positions

Official Visas are given to persons who fall under one of these categories:

• Member of an administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission or international organization; a consular staff of consular posts; or a service staff of a diplomatic mission or consular post in Canada;
• You hold a diplomatic or official passport and you have been invited by the Government of Canada or a provincial/territorial government to attend a meeting in Canada;
• Official or expert on a mission who is acting on behalf of an international organization listed on the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines or you are a contractual employee such as a translator hired by the United Nations or the International Civil Aviation Organization for one of their organized assemblies;
• Private servant of a member of a diplomatic mission or consular post with a valid Household Domestic Worker Employment Agreement form which has been submitted by your employer who is a member of a diplomatic mission, consular post, or GAC Protocol.
• Person who is a member of the family of any of the officials.

If you do not fulfill these requirements, then you will have to apply for either a Courtesy Visa or a different type of Temporary Canada Visa.

Qualifying rules for US Government officals

If you are a US government official, then there are other rules which apply. Usually, US government employees get work permits under the R204 rule. However, there are some categories of US government employees who do not qualify at all for a Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa, such as:

• Officers of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Officers of US Customs.
• Employees of the International Joint Commission.
• Inspectors of the Federal Grain Inspection Service of the US Department of Agriculture or other US government officials who have a US official passport and have an assigned temporary posting in Canada.

Required Documents for Canada Offical and Diplomatic Visa

You must submit the following supporting documents for a Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa:

• One of the following statements:
  • A written requires from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the state to which the head of mission or post is accredited, or for which the diplomatic mission or consular post has jurisdiction in visa matters.
  • A written request from a diplomatic mission or consular post of your government;
  • A written request from an international organization listed in the Temporary Worker Guidelines.
  • A letter from the Secretariat of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for which the diplomat or official will work with, signed by or on behalf of the Secretary General.
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a Diplomatic and Official visa.
• Two Canadian visa photographs.

How to apply for the Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa?

The application process for a Canadian Diplomatic and Official Visa is different from other Temporary Resident Visa applications. If you fulfill one of the requirements above, then you may submit a direct visa application to the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your home country.

You must also pay the application fees. When you submit the documents to the Embassy, the official at the Canadian Embassy might ask you a few questions about the purpose of your visit to Canada and your official duties. However, you will not be asked to go through a medical examination or submit your biometric information.

The Consulate might take a few days or weeks to process the application depending on their workload or they will immediately respond to your visa application. They will either grant you the visa and stamp it on your passport, or they will deny it and let you know about the reasons for the denial.

What are the Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa fees?

To apply for the Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa you will only have to pay for the application. The application fee is CAD$100. Since you are exempt from biometrics, you will not have to pay the fee and you are also exempt from the passport processing fee.

How long is the Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa valid?

This visa is usually given for the time period that the person has official duties in Canada. However, in general, the Diplomatic and Official Visa is valid for 3 months once you enter Canada.

Can I bring my dependents to Canada with a Diplomatic and Official Visa?

If you have a Canada Diplomatic and Official Visa, you are allowed to bring your dependents with you to the country to accompany you for the trip.

You are allowed to bring your spouse or common law partner and your children who are under 22 years old. If your children are over 22 years old, then they may accompany you only if they are full-time students. However, if your child is over 25 years old, they cannot accompany you with your status, but must apply for a Canada Visitor Visa.

In addition to your family members, some service staff are also allowed to accompany you, if they belong in any of these categories:

• Private Servants of diplomats or officials.
• Live-in Caregivers of the diplomats or officials or their family members.

The Government of Canada as with most countries in the world has a visa for diplomats and officials from foreign countries who want to go to Canada on official duties. That is the Diplomatic and Official Visa.

However, there are people who do not necessarily qualify in the positions that are allowed to get the Diplomatic and Official Visa but hold an important position in their government and have official duties in Canada. To serve these people, the Canadian Government has created the Courtesy Visa.

The Courtesy Visa definition is that it has the same rules as the Diplomatic and Official Visa. Once a person has it, they are allowed to go to Canada for a specific period of time only if they have official duties in the country.

They are not allowed to overstay their visa or try to claim Canadian citizenship. They are also not allowed to try and obtain Canadian issued documents or apply for Canadian benefits such as health coverage. If they do not have official duties in Canada, but want to visit the country, they must do so by applying for the Visitor Visa instead of the Courtesy Visa.

What are the requirements of the Courtesy Visa?

In order to get the Courtesy Visa, the applicant must fulfill a range of requirements that make them eligible for it. They must justify why the Canadian Government should give them a visa that is equivalent to the Diplomatic Visa without them having the position for it.

In order to qualify for the Courtesy Visa to Canada, you must fulfill the eligibility criteria for the Temporary Resident visas as well as the following criteria :

• You must hold an important diplomatic or official position that is different from those that you need to qualify for the Diplomatic and Official Visa.
• You must have official duties in Canada.
• The Government of Canada must have a bilateral interest or agreement with your country;
• You must have an official invitation from a Canadian governmental or international institution to come to Canada.
• You must have a valid passport issued by your government with a validity for more than the time you will spend in Canada.

If you do not meet these criteria, the Canadian Consulate will require further proof for you to make your case and convince them why they should give you this visa. However, if you cannot prove that you are eligible, then your application will be rejected immediately. The only solution after that is to apply for a different type of Canada Visas.

How to Apply for the Courtesy Visa?

The application process for the Canada Courtesy Visa is different from other Temporary Resident Visa applications, but similar to the Diplomatic and Official Visa. If you fulfill the requirements above and you need to go to Canada as part of your official duties, then you may submit a direct visa application to the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your home country.

Note: If your documents are in another language other than English or French, you must have them translated and you must have a verification that the translation is correct;

Compile the document file

In addition to what is commonly required for any Canada visa application, you must also submit the following supporting documents:

• Your valid government issued passport.
• Your bank or other financial statements to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada.
• One of the following statements:
  • A written requires from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the state to which the head of mission or post is accredited, or for which the diplomatic mission or consular post has jurisdiction in visa matters.
  • A written request from a diplomatic mission or consular post of your government.
  • A written request from an international organization listed in the Temporary Worker Guidelines.
  • A letter from the Secretariat of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for which the diplomat or official will work with, signed by or on behalf of the Secretary General.
  • Other official invitations from a governmental or international agency or institution in Canada.
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you the Courtesy Visa visa.
• An itinerary of what your official duties in Canada will be for the time you are there.
• Two Canada visa photos that meet the photo guidelines.

Attend the interview at the Canadian Embassy

With these documents, you must also pay the application fees. When you submit these documents, the official at the Canadian Embassy might ask you a few questions about the purpose of your visit to Canada and your official duties. Since you are not a diplomat or official that qualifies for the Diplomatic and Official Visa, you might also be asked to submit your biometric information or go through a medical examination.

If that happens, you must submit the fingerprints and photos of you at your interview appointment, as well as submit the medical form to a licensed doctor and go through the necessary tests. You must then hand in the results to the Canadian Consulate with the documents mentioned above.

Wait for the processing of the Courtesy Visa

The Consulate might take a few days or weeks to process the application depending on their workload or they will immediately respond to your visa application. They will either grant you the visa and stamp it on your passport, or they will deny it and let you know about the reasons for the denial.

Keep in mind that the Courtesy Visa is given on a case by case basis and it is not a usual visa that the Canadian Consulate approves. That is why you must have a strong case for them to approve your visa.

What are the Courtesy Visa fees?

The application fee for all Temporary Resident Visas is CAD$100 and you must also pay that fee for the Courtesy Visa. Since you are not a diplomat or an official, then you may also be asked to pay the biometrics fee of CAD$85 if you need to give your biometric information.

Finally, in order to have your passport processed, then you will also have to pay the processing fee of around CAD$45.

How long is the Courtesy Visa processing time?

It can take from 1 week up to 2 months for the Courtesy visa to be processed by the officials and for them to inform you of their decision. However, the processing time for the Courtesy Visa depends on the workload of the Canadian Consulate.

How Long is the Courtesy Visa Valid?

The Courtesy Visa is usually given as a multiple-entry visa with a validity of up to 3 years. However, since this is a Temporary Canada Visa, you are not allowed to stay in Canada for more than 6 months at a time.

It is usually recommended to stay in the country only for the time that you have official duties and then return to your home country. Afterwards, if you have official duties again, you may return, but again you cannot stay for more than 6 months.

Can I Bring my Dependents With Me With a Courtesy Visa?

Since the Courtesy Visa is a similar visa to the Diplomatic and Official Visa, then you are allowed to bring your dependents with you to Canada for your trip. Dependents in this case are your spouse or common law partner and children under 22 years old.

If you have children who are over 22 years old, then they may accompany you only if they are full-time students. However, if you have children who are over 25 years old, then they cannot accompany you with the Courtesy Visa, but must apply for a Visitor Visa.

In addition to your family members, some service staff are also allowed to accompany you if they belong in any of these categories:

• Private Servants.
• Live-in Caregivers.

Canada is a highly developed economy and it attracts a lot of businesses and people who want to develop business relations. Sometimes these people might need to visit Canada and meet with potential business partners to develop their plans or sign business agreements.

To enter Canada, they might also need a visa. That is why the Canadian government created the Business Persons and Business Delegations Visa.

The Canada business visa allows those who want to go to Canada with the purposes of doing business with a Canadian company to enter the country and engage in the following activities:

• Attend meetings.
• Participate in conferences or workshops.
• Sign agreements, etc.

The Business Persons and Business Delegations Visa is a temporary visa, which means that the person who holds it can only stay in Canada for a short period of time, usually less than 6 months. Additionally, the person with this visa is not allowed to work for any company in Canada. They are only allowed to discuss business and sign any potential agreements.

If you want to go to Canada to work temporarily, then you need a Temporary Workers Visa for Canada. With the Business Persons Visa, you are also not allowed to benefit from Canadian health coverage or apply to get Canadian documents.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for the Business Visa Canada?

In order to qualify for a Business Persons and Business Delegations Visa, there are certain conditions requirements that the potential applicant must fulfill. The eligibility criteria for the Canadian Business Visa are more extensive than the ones for visiting since the government and Embassy want to make sure that you will not try to work in Canada illegally. In addition to the eligibility conditions that apply for all of the Temporary Resident Visas, the conditions that you must also fulfill are as follows:

• You must have your own business in a country other than Canada or be an employee of a business registered in a country other than Canada.
• You must have an income from a place of work that is located in a country other than Canada, so you cannot be an employee in Canada.
• It is advisable to have a record of respecting other business visas from other countries.
• You must have proof that you are developing a business relationship with a company in Canada or that you have been invited for a meeting, conference, or workshop.

If you do not fulfill these conditions, then it may be more difficult to convince the Canadian Embassy or Consulate to grant you the Business visa, or they might reject your application.

How to Apply for the Canada Business Visa?

If you meet the eligibility criteria explained above, then you can start your application process to get a Canada Business Visa. There are several steps you must go through, as follows:

1. Confirm your eligibility for a Canada Business visa.
2. Compile the document file and application forms for a Canada Business visa.
3. Submit the Canada Business visa application.
4. Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information.
5. Send your passport for stamping.

Completing the document file for a Canada Business Visa

Within the application page, you will also have to submit the following supporting documents:

• The required documents for every Canada visa application.
• Complete travel itinerary if you have already booked your tickets, or just a description of what you plan to do once in Canada.
• A letter of invitation for Canada visa application from the company you are visiting from the workshop, conference, or trade show organizers.
• Registration documents of the company you work for.
• A letter from your employer stating your job title, salary, and reason why you are visiting Canada;
• Registration documents from the Canadian company which has invited you in Canada.
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a visa.
• Two photographs that meet the Canada Photo Requirements.

Note: All documents must be in English or in French and if they have been translated, you must provide a certification that the translation is correct.

Once you submit all the documents, you can then proceed to submit the application. After that, you will have to pay the visa application fee and your application will be completed.

What are the Canada Business Visa fees?

The cost to apply for the Canadian Business Visa is CAD$100 with an additional fee of CAD$85 if you are asked to give your biometric information. So the application cost for the Business Visa is CAD$185.

If your visa is approved, then you will have to pay for the passport processing, which costs around CAD$45.

How Long is the Canada Business Visa processing time?

Depending on the workload of the Canadian Embassy you are applying in, you will have to wait from 1 to 6 weeks for the Business Visa to be processed.

How Long is the Canada Business Visa Valid?

Since the Canadian Business Visa is a Temporary Resident Visa, it is not valid for more than 6 months. You are encouraged to stay only for the time that you have stated in your application, even if that is less than 6 months. The Embassy could give you a visa that is valid for a longer period, such as 3, 5 or even 10 years, but you must not stay for more than 6 months at a time.

Can I bring my dependents with me to Canada with a business visa?

Since you are applying for a visa to attend a business meeting or a similar reason, you cannot bring your dependents to Canada with a business visa. Dependents, in this case, are your spouse or common-law partner and your minor children.

If they want to accompany you for this trip, they must apply for a Canada Visitor Visa.

The visa for women to give birth in Canada is a simple Temporary Resident Visa. There are no differences in the procedures or what is allowed, except for the fact that the woman might or will be giving birth in Canada.

This visa is temporary, usually valid for 6 months of less. It allows women to go to Canada to visit family, friends, or travel, but at the same time go to a hospital and seek assistance in giving birth. It does not allow the woman to claim medical and social benefits given to Canadian citizens. It also does not allow the woman to stay permanently in Canada, apply for citizenship, or try to apply for Canadian issued documents.

It only allows the woman to go to the hospital and pay for the treatment to give birth. Once she gives birth, the child automatically becomes a Canadian citizen and may claim a Canadian passport even if the parents are not residents or citizens.

What are the Visa Eligibility Criteria for Giving Birth in Canada for Non-residents?

In order to qualify to get a visa which allows a woman to go to Canada to give birth, there are certain requirements that she must fulfill. These requirements are not different from the requirements of a Visitor Visa.

The reason for this is that the Canadian Consulate does not consider women who are pregnant as special cases for visa applications. The fact that an applicant is pregnant, unless it is medically dangerous, cannot make a woman ineligible for a Canadian Visa. Because of this, the requirements for this are as follows:

• The eligibility requirements for all Temporary Resident Visas.
• Have enough funds to pay for your hospital stay to give birth.
• Be ready to go through a medical examination if the Canadian Consulate asks you to. For this visa it is usually not required unless you have a high-risk pregnancy.

If you do not meet these requirements, the Canadian Consulate will require further proof and will give you a chance to submit more documents to convince them that they should give you a visa.

What Are the Documents Required for the Canada Visa for Giving Birth?

Within the application page, you will also have to submit the following supporting documents:

• The mandatory Canada visa documents.
• Your bank or other financial statements to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada and the stay in the hospital to give birth.
• A travel itinerary if you have already booked your flight tickets, or just a description of what you plan to do once in Canada, so you can state that you plan to give birth.
• A letter of invitation from your family or friends if applicable.
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a visa for the purpose of giving birth in Canada;
• Two (2) photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements.

In addition, if you have documents in any other language except for English or French, you must translate them. The translation must be verified by a certified translator.

How to apply for the visa for giving birth in Canada?

If you are coming to Canada to give birth, then you must apply for the visa. The application process is not much different from a visitor visa, but there are several steps you must follow.

1. Confirm your eligibility for the Canada visa for the Purpose of giving Birth.
2. Submit the documents required for a Canada visa for giving birth.
3. Submit the application.
4. Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information.
5. Send your passport for stamping.

It is recommended that you state that you are pregnant somewhere in your application. If you try to hide your pregnancy because you do not know whether they will give you the visa, then the Canadian Consulate can deny your visa because you were not truthful. They call this a misrepresentation of yourself.

So, in your Declaration Letter or any place in the application forms where they ask you for the reason why you want to go to Canada, you can state that you want to visit Canada but that you are also pregnant.

Also, in the forms where it asks whether you have a medical condition, you can state “No” because pregnancy does not qualify as a medical condition according to the Canadian Government.

Once you submit all the documents, you can then proceed to submit the application. After that, you will have to pay the visa application fee and your application will be completed.

What are the fees for this visa to give birth in Canada?

The fees for the visa to give birth in Canada are the same as all Temporary Resident Visas. You will have to pay CAD$100 for the application and an additional CAD$85 if you have to give your biometric information. Finally, if your visa is approved, you will have to pay around CAD$45 for the passport processing.

What is the processing time for this visa?

Depending on the workload of the Canadian Consulate, you might have to wait from 1 week to around 5 or 6 weeks for your visa to be processed and for them to let you know whether you got the visa or not. Since you are planning to give birth in Canada, you must apply earlier so as not to be close to your due date if the application processing takes longer.

How long is this visa valid?

As with all Temporary Canada Visas, you can only stay in Canada for 6 months or less with this visa. The Consulate might give you a visa for a longer period and in some cases until your passport expires, but you cannot stay for more than 6 months at a time.

Can I bring my dependents to Canada with this visa?

Since this is a temporary visa, your spouse and other children cannot come with you to Canada with the same visa. They must all apply for the Canada Visitor Visa and you can submit the application together so that the Consulate can process you as a family instead of as individuals.

The demand for organs is very high in every country and there are many sick people who are waiting for a potential transplant or organ donor. That is why countries try to facilitate and help them through allowing donors to go and donate their organs if they want. Because of this, the Canadian Government created the Intending Organ Donors visa.

This visa is a Temporary Resident Visa, which means that it allows the person to go to Canada for a short period of time, usually 6 months or less. The person is not allowed to try and get a Canadian citizenship, Canadian issued documents, or Canadian benefits such as social security or health insurance.

The person is only allowed to go to Canada and donate an organ to a person who needs it, stay in the hospital for their recovery and then return to their home country. In this case, the hospital stay could be covered by the person receiving the organ or by any other humanitarian organization which facilitates organ donations in Canada.

Canadian Organ Donor Visa Eligibility Criteria

To be allowed to apply for the Intending Organ Donors Visa, there are certain requirements which you must meet. There are two sets of requirements:

• The eligibility criteria for the Temporary Resident Visas.
• The organ that you intend to donate must be compatible with the recipient of the organ and you must have proof of that.
• The costs related to the organ donation must be covered either by the recipient’s health insurance or by another organization facilitating organ transplants and there must be proof that you have private health insurance too.
• You are not selling your organ to the recipient, so there must be evidence that there is no organ trafficking and that you are willingly donating.

If these requirements are not met, then the Canadian Consulate will either require more proof or will deny your the visa.

How to apply for an Intending Organ Donors Visa?

The application process for the Intending Organ Donors Visa has the following steps.

1. Confirm your eligibility to apply for an Intending Organ Donor Visa.
2. Submit the Application Form.
3. Compile the file of required documents for a Canadian Organ donor visa.
4. Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information.
5. Send your passport for stamping.

Compiling the Document File

Within the application page, you will also have to submit the following supporting documents:

• Standard required documents for a Canada visa application.
• Proof of organ compatibility between you and the organ recipient as follows:
  • A letter from a transplant specialist in Canada that is associated with a recognized transplant center. The letter must have the letterhead of the transplant center or the specialist and should confirm:
    • That there is a recipient for the organ you are donating;
    • That your medical tests were completed and that they are compatible with that of the recipient;
    • That the transplant center will performs the transplant surgery and will treat you to help you recover;
    • That your medical costs are covered by the health insurance of the organ recipient;
• Proof of your private health insurance in Canada;
• Proof of enough medical facilities in your home country in case of medical complications. This is required to ensure that you will not stay in Canada because there is better medical treatment since you cannot go back to your home country due to lack of facilities.
• Evidence that you and recipient are related to each other if applicable;
• The recipient’s financial situation and bank statements;
• The recipient’s immigration status in Canada, so proof that they are a citizen or a permanent resident;
• Documents and proof of how you as the donor and the recipient were matched with each other to avoid the potential that it was done through illegal organ trafficking channels;
• Evidence that the place where you come from is not a known place where organ trafficking occurs;
• Evidence that you will not receive any benefits (financial or otherwise) from giving your organ.

If there are any documents that are not in English or French, then you must have them translated and verified by a certified translator.

Once you submit all the documents, you can then proceed to submit the application. After that, you will have to pay the visa application fee and your application will be completed.

What are the fees for this visa?

The application fee for the Intending Organ Donor Visa is CAD$100 and if you have to give biometric information, you will have to pay an additional CAD$85. When your visa is approved, you will also have to pay around CAD$45 for the passport processing.

How long is the processing time for the Canada Organ Donors Visa?

To process this visa, the Canadian Consulate might take from 1 week to 5 or 6 weeks depending on their workload and the evidence you submitted. If they ask for additional evidence or organ transplant, then the processing will take longer.

That is why it is important to start the application process the moment you decide you want to donate an organ to someone in Canada and you have enough documents to prove it.

What is the validity for this visa?

The validity period of the Intending Organ Donors Visa is 6 months or less. The visa might be given for a longer period of time, but you are not allowed to stay for more than 6 months.

If you need to stay for more, then you can extend it by submitting proof to the Consulate that you need to stay because your recovery is not yet completed.

Can I bring my dependents to Canada with this visa?

Since this is a Temporary Resident Visa, then you cannot bring your family with you only with this visa. Family are your common-law partner, spouse, and minor children.

They must apply for a Visitor Visa if they want to accompany you, but you can submit your applications together and be processed as a family instead of individually.

As its name suggests, the Facilitation Visa helps or facilitates the travelling of a Canadian citizen with a dual citizenship to go to Canada. There are many cases when a person has two citizenships, a Canadian one and one from a foreign country.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this person does not have a Canadian passport that they can travel freely, but they need to go to Canada on a short-term notice. Because of this short-term notice, they cannot start the procedures of getting the Canadian passport, so they need the Facilitation Visa.

The Facilitation Visa allows these Canadian citizens to enter Canada with a foreign passport and be regarded as citizens. They can stay there for only the period that they need to complete their emergency visit and then they have to leave the country. It is advisable that they start the procedures to get a Canadian passport so that they do not need a Facilitation Visa in the future.

The Government of Canada will not issue a Facilitation Visa just because it is more convenient for the applicant. There must be a solid and verifiable reason to get this visa and the applicant must prove that if they do not get this visa, it will cause them undue hardship that is not through some fault of their own. So, the applicant must also have been in a situation that they could not get a Canadian passport because of circumstances that they could not control.

Additionally, if you have dual citizenship with a Canadian citizenship but the other foreign country does not allow a second citizenship, then the Government of Canada will not issue a Facilitation Visa. The officials at the Canadian Consulate are advised not to issue this visa if the applicant is trying to hide their Canadian citizenship because the other country does not allow dual citizenship.

What are the requirements for the Facilitation Visa?

To get the Facilitation Visa, the applicants must meet several criteria that they have to prove through various documents. If you are thinking of applying for this visa, then you must meet these requirements:

• You must have proof that you have a Canadian citizenship through a birth certificate or other manners;
• You must be in one of the following circumstances and need to travel urgently to Canada:
  • Your documents have been lost or stolen and you are in distress;
  • You have a dual citizenship and are going to Canada for the first time;
  • You have a dual citizenship and did not get a Canadian passport before leaving Canada;
  • You were a child born in Canada to foreign parents who have returned to their country and did not want to claim your Canadian citizenship that you have acquired automatically when you were born;
  • You are or were a child who went through an adoption process in a foreign country and that country only allows you to leave through their national passport;
  • You are under 18 years old and you are coming to live with Canadian parents for humanitarian or compassionate reasons, but you have a foreign passport or travel document. You must have evidence that one of the parents in Canada is a Canadian citizen.
• You must prove that you do not have a Canadian passport because of reasons beyond your control.

You must meet these requirements in order to qualify for the Facilitation Visa. If you cannot prove that you fulfill the criteria, the Canadian Consulate will reject your application. The alternative is to then apply for a different type of Canada Visa.

How to apply for the Facilitation Visa?

The Facilitation Visa application process is different from other Temporary Resident Visa applications. If you fulfill the requirements above, then you may submit a direct visa application to the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in the foreign country where you have your second citizenship. You must submit the Temporary Resident visa forms.

The Consulate might take a few days to process the application depending on their workload or they will immediately respond to your visa application. They will either grant you the visa and stamp it on your passport, or they will deny it and let you know about the reasons for the denial.

Compiling the Document file for the Canada Facilitation Visa

You must submit the following supporting documents to apply for a Canada Facilitation Visa:

• Your valid government issued passport from the country where you have your second citizenship;
• Proof that you have are a Canadian citizen such as:
  • Your Canadian Certificate of Citizenship;
  • Birth Certificate from a Canadian province or territory is acceptable unless you were in these situations at the time of your birth:
    • One of your parents was a diplomat or a consular officer of a foreign government;
    • One of your parents was an employee or representative of a foreign government;
    • One of your parents was an officer or an employee of a specialized agency of the United Nations;
    • One of your parents was an officer or an employee of an international organization with diplomatic privileges or immunities;
    • None of your parents were Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada;
  • Naturalization Certificate issued before January 1^st, 1947;
  • Registration of birth abroad certificate issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977;
  • Certificates of retention issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977;
• Proof that you could get a Canadian passport for reasons beyond your control;
• Proof that you need to go to Canada due to an emergency;
• Your bank or other financial statements to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada;
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a Facilitation visa;
• Two (2) photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements;
• Medical examination forms if the Consular Officer finds it necessary;
• Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas, as well as a letter from your employer stating that you have contractual obligations to fulfill and you must return to your home country.

With these documents, you must also pay the application fees. When you submit these documents, the official at the Canadian Embassy might ask you a few questions about the purpose of your visit to Canada and your official duties. They might also ask you to submit biometric information if they find it necessary.

What are the Facilitation Visa fees?

To be able to apply for the Facilitation Visa, you must pay the following fees:

• Visa application fee of CAD$100;
• Biometrics fee of $85;

Besides these, if your application is approved you must pay the passport processing fee of around CAD$45.

How long is the Facilitation Visa processing time?

Since the Facilitation Visa is given to people who have emergencies and need to go to Canada, the processing time is quite short. It could take a few days for you to get a response from the Consulate on whether you got the visa or not, or they might let you know immediately once your interview is over.

How long is the Facilitation Visa valid?

The general idea is that the Canadian Consulate grants the Temporary Resident Visas for a few months or a few years, but the person cannot stay in Canada for more than 6 months. However, the Facilitation Visa is different and that is why it has a much shorter validity.

When you apply for this visa, you must state how long you need to stay in Canada due to your emergency. The Canadian Consulate will take this time into account and will issue your visa only for those dates. They cannot issue a visa for longer than what you need to complete your emergency.

Can I bring my dependents with me to Canada with a Facilitation Visa?

Since the Facilitation Visa is issued only to Canadian citizens who do not have a passport and it is for emergencies, then it is quite difficult to have your dependents accompany you to Canada.

The reason why this might be allowed is if they are important to the emergency that you have in Canada. Otherwise it is much better to have them apply for a visa that is more suitable, such as a Canada Visitor Visa. If they have Canadian passports, then they will not need the visa at all. Dependents in this case are your spouse or common law partner and minor children.

A Canada Student Visa allows the person who has it to start their studies in Canada. The visa for students is basically the same as a Canada Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTa), but the student also needs a study permit. So the Canada student visa is a combination of either a visitor visa and a study permit or an eTA and a study permit.

The Canada study visa will only allow you to start your studies in Canada at what are called Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). The study permit allows you to stay in Canada until your program ends and in some cases work while you are enrolled in school or work after you graduate. To keep the Canada study visa, you must fulfill these conditions:

• Always be enrolled in a DLI.
• Be working to complete your study program.
• Meet the requirements of the student visa.
• Stop studying if you do not meet the requirements of the student visa.
• Leave Canada immediately once your study permit expires.

The study permit will not allow you to get Canadian issued documents or Canadian government benefits such as health benefits. It will however create an easier path for you to be able to apply for a Canadian citizenship if that is your goal.

What is a Designated Learning Institution?

As mentioned, you can only get a Canada student visa if you are enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). DLIs are schools or universities which are approved by the provincial or territorial government to allow them to host international students.

All primary and secondary schools that are in Canada are by default DLIs; however, there are many universities or other educational institutions which are not certified DLIs. You must not apply in those, since you will not be allowed to attend them even if they accept you.

To check whether a university or educational institution is a DLI, follow this link. It will take you to the Government of Canada website which is the official institution for all Canadian visas. In the page, you must select the province or territory and it will generate a list of all institutions which are DLIs. You can check there whether the place you want to apply to is a DLI or not.

If while you are attending the institution, it loses its DLI status, then you can continue studying there until your study permit expires. If your permit expires before you complete your degree, then you must enroll in a new institution which is a DLI to be able to get a new study permit.

Who Needs a Canadian Study Permit?

All international students who want to study in Canada and who need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada must get a student visa and permit. The permit in itself does not allow you to enter Canada, but coupled with a visitor visa or eTA, it gives you permission to start your studies.

However, there are some groups of people who might not need a study permit to study in Canada if they are in certain situations, such as:

• If your study program is less than 6 months in Canada, you will only need a visitor visa or eTA, but not a study permit on the condition that you complete the program in 6 months or less. If you cannot complete the short program in 6 months, then you will need a study permit.
• If you are a family or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada who is accredited by the Global Affairs Canada, then you do not need a study permit.
• If you are a member of the foreign armed forces in Canada and are on official duties, you do not need a study permit, but your family members might need one.
• If you are a citizen of another country who has a Registered Indian Status in Canada, you do not need a study permit.
• If you are a minor child in Canada, then you do not need a study permit if you are:
• In kindergarten;
• A refugee or refugee claimant;
• If your parents are refugees or refugee claimants;
• Going to pre-school, primary or secondary school and you have a parent who is allowed to work or study in Canada.

Do I Qualify for a Canada Student Visa?

To be eligible to apply for a Canada Student visa and permit you must fulfill the following conditions:

• Have a valid acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with this information:
  • An official letterhead of the school.
  • The program and degree you will obtain.
  • The amount of tuition fees you must pay.
  • The start and finishing dates of the program.
• Be at least 18 years old to apply as the primary student visa applicant and your children who are under 18 years old cannot apply alone. So, if you have a child who wants to attend primary or secondary school, you must apply on their behalf.
• Have a clean criminal history and submit court documents to prove it.
• You must fill and sign a Visa Application Center (VAC) Consent Form.
• You must submit copies of your current immigration status in another country or in Canada.
• Prove that your stay in Canada is temporary and that you will return to your home country once your studies are over.

Canada Student Visa Requirements

When you complete the forms, you will also have to submit the following supporting documents:

• Your passport scan to prove that it is valid.
• Your travel history, meaning your whole passport scanned to also prove that you have blank pages in it.
• Letters from the court and police in your country to prove you have a clean criminal record;
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a visa and study permit.
• Two photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements.
• Medical examinations.
• Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas.
• Proof that you can cover the expenses of studying in Canada (tuition and living costs) through one of the following:
  • You must have proof of a Canadian bank account that is in your name;
  • You must have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) issued by a Canadian financial institution.
  • You must have proof that you have taken a student loan from a bank.
  • You must have bank statements for at least the past 4 months.
  • You must have proof that you have already paid your tuition and housing fees.
  • You must have a letter from a person or institution giving you money.
  • You must have proof that you have a scholarship.
• If you are going to study in Quebec, then you will also need to submit a Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) which is issued by the Quebec government. You will get the instructions from your school on how to apply for a CAQ.
• You must submit a letter of explanation saying why you want to study in Canada and guaranteeing that you accept and understand your responsibilities as a student in Canada.
• If a minor is going to Canada to study and need a custodian that is not a parent of the minor, then you also need to submit a Custodian Declaration Form which states who the custodian of the child is and must be signed by the parents or legal guardians of the child.
• If you are applying for the first time, then a document number on the study permit that is called a Unique Client Identifier (UCI) is not required for you. If you have applied for a study permit before, you are required to write your study permit document number which you can find in any letters that have been sent to you by the Canadian Government.
• If your family members (spouse or common law partner and minor children) are also accompanying you, you must also have the application forms ready for them and apply together as a family.

All the documents must be translated into English or French and you must have certifications and proof that the translation is correct. Once you submit all the documents, you can then proceed to submit the application and pay the fees.

What are the Minimum Financial Requirements for a Canada Study Visa?

To be able to get a student visa or study permit, you must have enough funds to cover your tuition fee and living costs in Canada. If you have family members accompanying you, then you will also need additional funds. There are two types of fund requirements for students:

• Students studying outside of Quebec
• Students studying in Quebec

Students studying outside of Quebec must have these funds to prove they can cover their studies in Canada:

Students studying in Quebec must have these funds to prove they can cover their studies in Canada:

How Can I Apply for a Candian Study Permit?

To be able to start studying in Canada, you must apply and get approved for a study permit. However, there are three situations that you can be in, so you can apply from:

• Outside of Canada;
• Inside of Canada;
• At the Canadian Port of Entry (POE) ;

Additionally, for each option you can also apply in paper format or through the online system. The application process will be the same, but if you apply in paper format, you will have to print all the documents and send them to the Canadian Consulate, while when you apply online, you can only submit the scanned documents and completed forms by attaching them through your account.

How to Apply for a Study Permit From Outside of Canada?

If you are an international student who has been accepted to a Canadian DLI, but is outside of Canada, then the application process for you will include applying for an extended visitor visa and a study permit. If you are from a country that does not need a visa to enter Canada, then you will apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and a study permit.

The application is done through one process, so you do not need to have them separately. If you get approval for the visa, then you will also get a study permit.

The process of applying for a Canada Student visa and permit from outside of Canada is the same as the application process for every type of Canadian visa. 

How to Apply for a Study Permit Within Canada?

Applying for a study permit within Canada can only be done if you are in a few of the situations below:

• You are a minor child in primary or secondary school;
• You are an exchange or visiting student in Canada;
• You have completed a short-term (less than 6 months) study course or program in Canada;
• You have a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) for 6 months or more, or your family member has such a TRP;
• You are the spouse or common law partner or someone who is being sponsored to immigrate to Canada or has applied for permanent residence;
• You have a study permit from outside of Canada and you want to extend it;
• You are the family member of:
  • a Canadian based sports team;
  • a media representative;
  • a member of the clergy;
  • military personnel assigned to Canada;
• You are a family member or private staff member of a foreign representative in Canada.

To apply, you will have to go to the Embassy of your country in Canada or contact the Canadian Embassy to submit the documents there in person and pay the relevant fees.

How to Apply for a Canada Study Permit at the Port of Entry (POE)?

Another option of applying for a study permit is when you travel to Canada at the port of entry. However, you can only apply at the POE if you fulfill these conditions:

• You are a citizen of the United States of America (USA).
• You are a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the US.
• You are a resident of Greenland or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

To apply at the POE, you will first have to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and then present the documents mentioned above (section: Applying for a Study Permit Outside of Canada) at the Canadian Port of Entry. The officials will review these documents and will make a decision on whether to grant you the study permit or not.

What is the Cost of the Canada Student Visa?

The application process for the Canada Student Visa requires that you pay all the application fees per person as well as for your family members applying. You cannot submit an application without paying your fees if you are applying online and if you submit paper applications without the fee, they will not be processed.

You must pay the fees if you are serious about applying for a student visa and starting your studies in Canada. The fees are as follows:

How long is the Canadian Student Visa valid?

A Canadian student visa is valid only for the length of the study program and an additional 90 days. These 90 days allow you to prepare for leaving Canada or to apply for extending your Canada study visa.

So if you do not complete your program within the time that your study permit is valid, then you will need to extend it. If you complete the program earlier than the study permit expiration date, then you will only have an additional 90 days and must leave Canada.

You must provide proof that you have completed your program by submitting the notification of graduation from your school such as an email, a letter, or another document, or submit a copy of your degree, diploma, or certificate. The date when one of these was issued will be used as the date you completed your program and then your additional 90 days for preparation to leave Canada will begin.

Does the Canada Student Visa Allow you to Visit Your Home Country?

The Canadian school system has many breaks in between the school years during the summer and winter. Naturally, many foreign students want to travel to their home countries during these breaks.

The student visa for Canada allows international students to travel abroad during their holidays; however, when they return to Canada they must provide proof of their status. They must show a valid visa or eTA and their study permit. Even if the study permit is valid, the visa or eTA must be valid, otherwise the student is not allowed to enter Canada. So before you travel out of Canada, make sure that your documents are in order and that they are valid. If they are not, apply for extensions before you travel.

Can I Change Schools With a Canada Student Visa?

The student visa for Canada allows the holder to change schools while they are enrolled if they meet the requirements of the visa. You must notify the Canadian Government if you are changing schools in these situations:

• If you have finished primary school and want to start high school.
• If you finished high school and are starting post-secondary school.
• If you are a post-secondary student and you are changing schools. Post-secondary schools include:
  • Universities.
  • Community colleges, CEGEP, institutes.
  • Private universities, academies, career colleges, training institutions.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) / French as a Secondary Language (FSL) or other language training courses.
• If you need to change any of the conditions that are stated in your study permit.

In these situations, you will have to change your study permit, so get a new one. You will have to go through the application process and get the study permit for the new school.

You do not need to notify the Canadian Government when changing schools in these situations:

• If you are changing schools in the same educational levels such as from one primary school to another.
• If you are changing a study program but remaining in the same institution.
• Your study program is 6 months or less.

Can my Family Members Accompany me to Canada?

Your close family, so your spouse or common-law partner and minor children can accompany you to Canada when you go there to study. However, they will have to apply for their own visas (not study permits), which will be visitor visas. You can submit the applications together so you can tell the Canadian Consulate that you are a family and want to stay together for the duration of your studies.

Can I work while on a Student Visa?

There are several conditions which a student must meet to work while they are on their Canadian student visa. These conditions are to prevent illegal workers who want to just get a student status and not attend classes or get their degrees. However, students are allowed to work in these following instances:

• On-campus work if they are enrolled in a full-time program;
• Complete co-ops or internships if they are required from their program curriculum;
• Off-campus work if your study permit allows it and you work less than 20 hours per week;

Each of these options has additional requirements and conditions which depend on the individual student’s situation, so you must check with the Government of Canada and refer to our article on working while on a student visa in Canada for more details.

Can I Work After I Complete my Studies?

Some students want to keep working in Canada after they finish their educational degree. When you have a student visa, then it is easier to get a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), the length of which depends on the length of your study program:

• If your study program was less than 8 months, you are not eligible for a PGWP;
• If your study program was between 8 months and 2 years, you can get a PGWP for the same length as your study program;
• If your study program was two or more years, you can get a PGWP that is valid for 3 years;
• If you were enrolled and completed more than one study program, you can get a PGWP for up to 3 years.

A Temporary Work Visa for Canada is a combination of a Temporary Resident Visa and a Work Permit. With a TRV, you are allowed to stay in Canada for 6 months or less, while the Work Permit for Canada allows you to also work in the job that you have already found or to look for a job.

This work visa for Canada is not permanent and will expire after a few months or years depending on the type you have. This means that after the Canadian work visa expires, then you can either apply to have it renewed or return to your home country. The maximum amount of time you can work temporarily in Canada with all extensions is 4 years. However, that is not applicable for each case and may depend on the country you are from and which type of visa you have.

You cannot stay and work in Canada after your visa expires because you will put yourself at risk for deportation. This means you will not be able to get a Canada visa again.

Who Needs a Temporary Work Visa for Canada?

Anyone who intends to enter Canada with the reasons to work and earn a salary must get a Temporary Work Visa, or Work Permit. You must be involved in these activities to need the work permit:

• Your intention is to become employed in Canada with a salary.
• You will get your salary from a company that is registered in Canada as a business.
• Your primary location of work will be Canada.
• Your salary will be paid to you and deposited in a Canadian bank account.

However, if your place of work is outside Canada and you are in the country for a short period of time for work purposes, then you do not need a work permit.

Those who may not need a Canadian work permit are the following groups of visitors:

• Foreign Government Workers.
• Foreign Government Representatives and their family members.
• Military personnel.
• Business visitors.
• Performing artists.
• Athletes and their team members.
• Judges, referees, or similar workers.
• Media crews and news reporters.
• Public speakers and convention organizers.
• Evaluators and examiners.
• Clergy.
• Health care students.
• Students who are working on campus.
• Civil aviation inspectors.
• Aviation accident inspectors.
• Emergency service providers.
• Expert witnesses and investigators.
• Researchers who have to work in Canada for 120 days only.

If you do not belong to any of these groups, then you will need a Temporary Work Visa and Permit.

Am I Eligible to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa and Permit?

In order to qualify, any applicant who wants to work in Canada temporarily must be eligible and fulfill the Canada work visa eligibility criteria as follows:

• Prove you are willing to leave Canada and return to your home country when your work permit expires.
• Respect the conditions of your work permit, depending on whether it is open and you can work for any employer or if it is specific and you are only allowed to work for one employer;
• Prove you will not work for an employer who is engaged in a work type that is prohibited such as striptease services, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages;

If you are applying for the work permit and visa from outside of Canada, so from your home country, you must also fulfill the Temporary Visa requirements.

On the other hand, if you are applying from inside Canada, then you must also fulfill these Canada work permit requirements:

• You are currently in Canada with a study permit or you have a work permit that will expire soon.
• Graduated from a Canadian educational institution.
• Gave a temporary resident permit that is valid for 6 or more months.
• Applied for refugee status in Canada and are waiting for a decision.
• You are already a refugee or protected person.
• Your application for refugee status has been denied but you cannot leave Canada for reasons beyond your control;

What are the types of Temporary Work Visas for Canada?

To address all the needs of foreign workers, the Government of Canada issues different types of Temporary Work Visas depending on the needs of the applicant. There are 4 types of work permits or work visas that you can get:

Temporary Foreign Workers Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is the standard temporary worker visa. It is issued to foreign workers who already have a job offer from a Canadian company and for which the company has already obtained a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the Government of Canada.

Open Work Permit

The Open Work Permit is given to foreign workers who are going to Canada with a job offer but the permit allows them to switch employers. This is different from the other work permits/visas because it is not employer specific. The other work permits/visas do not allow you to change employers while in Canada.

Working Holiday Visa

The Working Holiday Visa is given to young people from 30 countries, so they can work in Canada and travel. It is a random selection visa which means that applicants will submit their applications and wait to be randomly selected to apply for the work permit.

Post Graduate Work Permit

The Post Graduate Work Permit is given to students who have completed a degree from a Canadian educational institution and want to stay in Canada longer through working.

How to Apply for a Temporary Work Visa for Canada?

An overview of the steps on how to apply for a work visa for Canada are as follows:

Get a temporary job offer from a Canadian Company

Depending on the type of work permit that you are applying for, you will most likely need a job offer from an employer in Canada.

• If you are getting an Open Work Permit, you will have the chance to switch employers and find a different one once you are in Canada. But if you want an employer specific permit, then you will need to find the job before you apply for it.
• To get the Foreign Temporary Workers Visa, you must find a job in Canada from your home country.
• If you are only planning to go to Canada and look for the job, then you must skip this step.
• If you are applying for a working holiday visa, your chances of getting the visa will be higher if you already know where you will work.

There are many resources online which will help you with your job search in Canada. You can visit different websites, or you can contact head hunting services in Canada and pay them to find you a job. Whichever way you choose, you will need the employer to agree to send you a job offer for temporary work before you apply for the work visa.

The company you will work for must have a LMIA

After you find the job, the company that has agreed to hire you must apply for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the Government of Canada. A LMIA is a document which the government issues and serves as an authorization for the company to hire foreign temporary workers.

The company you want to work for must apply for it and demonstrate that by giving you this job, they are not taking jobs away from Canadian citizens of permanent residents. They must prove that there are no willing, available, or qualified people within Canada for that job position, and therefore they must hire foreign workers. After they get the LMIA, you must have the document and then apply for work permit in Canada.

Submit the application for Canada Work Visa and Permit

After the Canadian Government issues the LMIA to the company that has hired you, then it is time to apply for the Temporary Work Visa. You can do this online through the Government of Canada website or in person at any Canadian Consulate Office.

You must submit the application forms and the supporting documents which will be evaluated from the Consular officers. The officers might also ask you to have a medical examination as well as an interview to determine your eligibility and whether you would return from Canada after your work permit expires.

To apply for a Canadian work visa, you must submit the following application forms and supporting documents:

• Application forms which include:
  • IMM 1295 – Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada.
  • Schedule 1 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa.
  • Family Information Form IMM 5645.
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union IMM 5409 (if applicable).
  • IMM 5476 – Use of Representative Form (if applicable).
  • IMM 5475 – Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (if applicable).
• Your passport which must be valid for more than 6 months after your planned date of entry into Canada.
• A photocopy of your passport and all its pages.
• Two photos as per the Photo Requirements.
• Proof of current immigration status (if your country of residence is different from your country of citizenship).
• Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Copy of children’s birth certificates (if applicable).
• Police record certificates. You must prove you have no criminal record in the past and that you have been a law-abiding citizen
• Proof of having enough funds in your bank account to finance you and your family’s stay in Canada as well as enough to return to your home country.
• Your resume or CV.
• Your education diplomas and certificates.
• Valid job offer from your employer.
• The LMIA document.
• If you will be working in Quebec, you need a Certificate d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ).
• Complete the medical examination. The officials of the Canadian Consulate may ask you to go through a medical exam to prove that you are in good health and able to work. You must follow their instructions and require a licensed doctor to sign your documents.

Complete the Canada Work visa interview.

The officials might also ask for an interview to determine that you have submitted the right document and that you are being truthful. Most often, they will try to determine whether you will return back to your home country after your work permit expires. You must show up at the scheduled time for your interview and answer the questions honestly.

Wait for processing

When you submit the Canadian work visa application, the consular officers will have to process it and make a decision. Depending on the country you are from, the work permit processing time is between 3 to 27 weeks. After this, the officers will issue a decision on whether you can work in Canada or not.

Travel to Canada

If the Government of Canada decided that you can work in the country, then you can start making travel and accommodation arrangements. When you get to the Port of Entry (PoE) in Canada you must show them all your documents and your approved work permit.

The PoE officers have the authority to decide whether they want to let you into the country and for how long. Even if the Consular Office issues a visa for 6 months, the PoE officers can issue it for only 3 months and you will only have that time to work in Canada. After that, you will have to apply for an extension or return to your home country.

How Long is the Canada Work Visa Valid?

The temporary Canada work visa is valid for 6 months or less. After that, you have the option of applying for an extension to the Consulate or return to your home country. The amount of time that you are allowed to stay in Canada with all extensions is no more than 4 years. The length of the extensions though depends on the Canadian Consulate decisions.

What are the Fees for the Canada Work Visa?

When you apply for the work permit and visa, you will have to pay the application fees. The fee for the work permit is CAD$155. Every time you submit an application for an extension, you will have to pay this fee again. If you are applying for an Open Work Permit, the fee is CAD$100.

Can I Bring my Dependents With me With a Canada Work Visa?

The Canadian Government allows the person who has the work permit to add his close family to the application. The people who are allowed to accompany you to Canada are your spouse or common-law partner and minor children. When you apply, you must add their documents to the application too so as to be considered a family application.

Can I Apply for Permanent Residence with a Canada Work Visa?

You cannot apply for permanent residence with a Canada temporary work visa; however, while you are in Canada, you can apply for Permanent Visas such as:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
• Live-In Caregiver Program.

You must meet the eligibility criteria for these visas. It is not guaranteed that you will be approved for them, but the application procedures will be easier if you are already working in Canada.

Canada Work Visa Extension

Since the Work Visa is not permanent (six months or less) once it is about to expire, you can either apply to extend it or return to your home country after expiry. If you want to extend your work visa, you have to apply for a visa extension at least 30 days before expiry.

You can only apply for a work visa extension if:

• You sign a new work contract with your employer AND
• Your employer gets a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA); OR
• Your employer pays for the employer compliance fee and submits a new employment offer

You can apply for the work permit extension in one of two ways: online and on paper.

To apply online you will need to create an account on IRCC’s website. There, you can find document checklists, application forms, and guidelines on how to apply. To apply on paper, you need to download the application package, fill out all the application forms, print and sign them, get all the necessary documents, pay the fees, and mail them to the address given on the application package.

The necessary documents and forms for a work permit extension

Forms

• Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)
• If applicable: Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)

Documents

You will need the same documents as for a Visitor Record (see above). However, you will also need additional documents such as:

• If you have one: Copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and a copy of your job offer letter from your prospective employer.
• If your employer has not obtained a LMIA, include a copy of the Offer of Employment number your employer gives you.
• For a live-in caregiver: Photocopy of signed employment contract.
• If working in Quebec: A Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI)
• If participating in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program: Proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay.
• For students: Academic standing – photocopies of transcripts from your last two study periods or letter from the institutional registrar.
• For provincial nominees:
  • Proof of nomination.
  • Offer of employment from someone in your province.
  • Statement from your province identifying your job and employer along with the details of your job (payment, working conditions, the nature of the job). The statement must also reveal that your employer needs you on the job and that the job offer will provide economic benefits.

Documents required for work permit extension for spouses/common law partners

Spouse/common-law partners of open permit workers

• Employment contract/job offer of the primary foreign worker’s current employer which confirms his/her employment.
• Copy of the primary foreign worker’s last three payslips
• Copy of the primary foreign worker’s work permit

Spouse/common-law partners of full-time students

• A valid enrollment letter of the student as a Canadian educational institution.
• Copy of the student’s study permit.

Documents required for work permit extension for refugee claimants

• Proof you are unable to support yourself without social welfare.
• Proof you referred your refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee board (IRB)

The Working Holiday Visa is a Canadian work visa that grants work and travel Canada opportunitis to young people (usually students) to go to Canada to get a job and visit the best places in the country. This visa is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which allows youth to work and travel, work in Canada as a Young Professional, or get an International Internship.

To qualify for the IEC and for the Working Holiday Canada, your country of citizenship must have an agreement with Canada to exchange young workers, or you can contact a Recognized Organization (RO). These recognized organizations help young people with their applications and in getting a job for a fee for the IEC Canada. Examples of Recognized Organizations that assist youth who want a Working Holiday Visa include:

• SWAP Working Holidays;
• GO International;
• Stepwest;

If your country is one of those that has the agreement with Canada or you choose a RO, then you can start the Working Holiday Canada process. With this visa, you will get an Open Work Permit, which means that you can go to Canada and then find a job. The visa is best when you want to travel in Canada and work in different places and for different employers, but you do not have a job offer yet.

The Working Holiday Visa allows you to stay in Canada for 1 year and then return to your home country. During this time, you are allowed to change employers and travel anywhere you want within the country.

How to apply for the Canada Working Holiday Visa?

The application process for the Working Holiday Visa can take some time and has these steps.

Step 1: Create your International Experience Canada Profile

In order to get into the applicant pool, you will have to submit your profile to the Government of Canada, as follows:

• Create your Government of Canada account using your GCKey or bank information in their official website;
• Take the eligibility test which will ask you questions about:
  • Country of residence;
  • Country of citizenship;
  • Country of permanent residence;
  • If you have a job offer;
  • If you are a student;
• If the system determines that you are eligible for the IEC, it will take you to the page where you have to fill out your profile forms.
• Complete the profile forms with the necessary information (personal information, passport number, travel information, contact information, etc).
• Submit your profile and find out whether the system determined that you can enter the pool for the working holiday visa.

You do not need to complete your whole profile immediately, but you must finish it and submit it within 60 days of starting it.

Step 2: Enter in the pool of applicants

The Government of Canada has a pool of applicants for each category of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program. After you complete your profile, you can enter in the pool of applicants for which you are eligible. In this case, you should enter in the pool of candidates for the Working Holiday Visa.

You may be eligible for more than one pool, so for example you can enter in both the Young Professionals and the Working Holiday Visa. However, you cannot enter twice for one pool of candidates.

You will be in the pool of candidates for one season, so for one year. If the season ends and you do not get the invitation to apply, then you must submit your profile again.

Step 3: Get an invitation to apply

During one season, there are different schedules when the Government of Canada randomly picks candidates from a pool and invites them to apply. You can check the schedule for the rounds of invitations, number of candidates in the pool, and your chances of being selected here.

If you get picked for an invitation, it will show up as a message on your account. You can then accept the invitation or decline it. When you are invited, you will have 10 days to decide about the invitation. If you decline the invitation, you then continue to stay in the candidate pool for the next round of invitations.

If you are in more than one pool, you will have to decline one invitation to get the other. For example, if you are in the Young Professionals and Working Holiday pool and get an invitation for the Young Professionals, you will have to decline it so as to get a chance to be selected for the Working Holiday Visa.

If you accept the invitation, you will then have 20 days to apply for a work permit.

Step 4: Apply for a work permit

Since you will only have 20 days to submit the application for a work permit, you must start immediately. You will first need to fill out the necessary forms with the information you provided when you submitted your profile.

For the Working Holiday work permit, you will have a section where it will ask you about your offer of employment. You must do the following:

• In the field of the Offer of Employment Number, you must type “A9999999”;
• Select “No” in the question “Has your employer paid the Employer Compliance Fee?”;
• In the employer address field type “Non-applicable – Working Holiday”;

Once you fill out all the forms, the system will generate a list of supporting documents that you have to submit. This list is personalized, but it can contain the following:

Police Certificates – for all countries where you have lived for more than 6 months since you were 18 years old. If you cannot get all of them in 20 days, then you must submit proof that you have requested them and be ready to show them to an official at the Canadian Consulate later on. If you have a criminal record, you will not be allowed to have a work permit.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume – which shows your education, qualifications, employment history, and you current job and location.

Medical Exam – if you are planning to work in a job which requires it or if you have lived in countries which pose a danger to your health, you should visit a doctor who will issue a certificate of good health. This form is IMM 1017B – Upfront Medical Report, which you must upload in your application. If you cannot get this form in the 20 days you can submit the application, then you can attach proof that you are waiting for the form.

Passport and Digital Photo – You must submit a clear copy of your passport that is valid until the date of your departure from Canada. Also, you must submit a digital photo of yourself according to the Photo Requirements.

Submit other forms:

• IMM 5645 – Family Information;
• IMM 5707 – Family Information;
• Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada.

If you are using a Recognized Organization, submit a letter which proves that the RO is assisting you for your Working Holiday in Canada

Step 5: Pay the Fees and Submit Application

You must pay the International Experience Canada fee of CAD$100 and the Open Work Permit Holder fee of CAD$100 for the Working Holiday Visa. If you are asked to submit biometrics, you will also have to pay an additional biometrics fee of CAD$85.

Pay these fees and then submit the application for the work permit. The Government of Canada will go through the application and inform you whether you are eligible or not. If you are, they will let you know of the next steps you must take. The Consulate may ask you to go through an interview or submit more information. You must complete their requirements, or your work permit application will be denied.

Step 6: Get your PoE Letter and Travel to Canada

If your application is approved, you will get a letter of introduction or Port of Entry (PoE) Letter to Canada. You must have that letter with you at all times when you travel. You can now book your flight to Canada and find accommodation. When you first enter Canada, you will need to have with you these documents:

• Your passport;
• Your PoE letter of Introduction;
• Proof that you have enough funds for your stay in Canada for the first 3 months (CAD$2,500);
• Proof that you have valid health insurance in Canada;
• A return ticket from Canada to your country of residence or enough funds to purchase a ticket;
• Copies of the supporting documents from your work permit application (See: Step 4);

The validity of your work permit is at the discretion of the Canadian Consulate, but it usually is for 1 year. After your work permit expires, you must return to your home country or you will face the risk of deportation.