Temporary Resident Visa

Every year more than 35 million people visit Canada. Canada welcomes these visitors as tourists, students or temporary workers. As a visitor, you will enjoy the many opportunities Canada has to offer.

Visitor Visa

Individuals from many countries may have to obtain a Visitor Visa before their departure to Canada; but individuals from some certain countries do not need a visa. A person arriving in Canada without a necessary visa or other documents may not be allowed to enter.

Visitor can apply for Canadian Visitor Visa to visit their relatives, take a tour, or explore business opportunities. Visitor can apply Single Entry Visa or Multiple Entry Visa. Single Entry Visa only allows visitor to enter Canada once during a certain period, but Multiple Entry Visa allows visitor to enter Canada many times during a certain period.

Once you are in Canada under Visitor Visa, you may extend your stay or change status provided you have reasonable explanation or received other legal status.

Study Permit

More than 130,000 students come to study in Canada every year. Canadian educational institutions offer a wide range of opportunities for foreign students. Canada's universities are internationally known for the quality of their teaching and research.

If you want to study in Canada you must have a letter confirming that you have been accepted by an educational institution before you apply for a study permit. An educational institution includes a university, college or other educational institution. The institution will decide if you meet its academic and language requirements. To obtain such acceptance, you must deal directly with the educational institution in which you are interested.

You may not require a study permit for the following courses:
· any program of study that is six months or less that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada;
· courses that are not academic, professional or vocational in nature that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada;
· courses included in tour packages as a secondary activity for tourists; and
· nursery schools or kindergartens.
Once you are an international student in Canada, you may be eligible for some work opportunities, including working on campus, working off-campus, participating in a co-op or internship program, working in Canada after you graduate. Your spouses or common-law partners may also be qualified for an open work permit.

Work Permit

Every year, over 90,000 foreign workers enter Canada to work temporarily to help Canadian employers address skill shortages.
You must follow the following steps to apply for a work permit:
1. An employer must first offer you a job.
2. HRSDC must normally provide a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO) of your job offer.
3. After HRSDC confirms that a foreign worker may fill the job, you apply to CIC for your work permit.

However, you may be exempted from the requirement of a positive Labour Market Opinion for you job offer if you meet one of the following conditions:
· International Agreements
· Entrepreneurs, Company Transfers
· Exchange Programs
· Students Doing Co-op
· Spouses
· Religious Work
· Other Exceptions