Visitor visas are issued to those individuals who can satisfy the visas officer at the Canadian Embassy, and the officer at the port of entry into Canada, that they:
    • Will leave Canada at the end of the authorized period of stay
    • Have sufficient funds to support themselves while they are in Canada
    • Are not a danger to the public's health and safety
    • Have a valid reason to visit Canada (i.e. - Tourism, to visit family)

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident you may invite a relative or friend to visit you in Canada using a Letter of Invitation.
You are responsible for sending the Statutory Declaration of Invitation to the person you wish to visit. They are responsible for submitting an application for a visitor visa to the Canadian Embassy nearest to them. They must include your invitation letter with their visa application package.

Visitor visas vary in duration but are usually valid for six months, and may be single or multiple entry. However, it is possible to extend your stay  or change the conditions of your visit from within Canada, after you arrive.

You can also contact a Canadian Embassy  high commission or consulate for information on what you need to do prior to visiting Canada.

Contact Us  for more information about applying for a visitor visa.

Students in Canada are now eligible to apply for open work permits allowing them to work off campus for 20 hours per week during the school year, and 40 hours per week during the summer break, if they have been studying at a post secondary institution for at least six months and their college or university is registered with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Like visitors, students are required to show that you will leave Canada at the end of their program of studies and that they are not a danger to public health or safety.

Most foreign students require a study permit in order to study in Canada for a limited time, generally issued for attendance at a specific Canadian educational institution and in a specific program. However there are a few exceptions:

    • For a course or program with a duration of six months or less
    • For a minor child already in Canada, whose parents have legal status in Canada
       other than Visitor Status
    • For the family or staff of a foreign representative to Canada.

Even if you are only planning on attending a short course or program in Canada, it is beneficial to apply for a study permit anyway in case you decide to continue your studies after completing the short courses or program. Otherwise you would be required to leave Canada in order to apply for a permit and must wait until the permit has been issued before returning to Canada.

You may also be eligible to extend your stay in order to continue with your studies.

For more information about applying for a student visas or extensions,
please   Contact Us   to schedule a consultation appointment.

Most employment in Canada requires you to apply for a work visa at the Canadian Embassy nearest you.

In order to work in Canada, most jobs require you to be in possession of a valid Canadian work permit.

You must have an employer in Canada who has obtained a confirmed Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from Human Resources Skills and Development Canada (HRSDC).

An LMO is issued to employers who have actively recruited Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Canada to fill vacant positions in their businesses and have been unsuccessful in finding qualified candidates.

Like visitors, you must show that you will leave Canada at the end of your work contract and that you are not a danger to public health and safety.

You may also obtain a worker permit if you are a citizen of the United States or Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Business Visitors, Professionals, Intra-Company Transferees, and Investors are eligible for work permits upon application at the port of entry.

There are a few cases where a foreign national does not require HRSDC confirmation of a job offer in order to enter Canada temporarily for work, such as:

    • Certain professionals that qualify under international trade agreements such as
       the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the General Agreement on
       Trades and Services (GATS) or the Canada Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA).
       Click Here  for information on NAFTA or similar trade agreements between
       Canada and foreign countries
    • Senior level employees who are being transferred within the same company for
       work and/or training
    • Entrepreneurs, investors or self-employed persons  may qualify to enter and
       work in Canada without a confirmed job offer
    • Persons working through certain exchange programs, such as youth or teacher
       exchanges
    • Persons undertaking charitable or religious work
    • Spouses or partners of persons with a valid work permit may qualify for an
       ‘open’ work permit without a confirmed job offer

Click Here  for a list of cases that are exempt from HRSDC confirmation.

You may also qualify for a one year work permit that is exempt from HRSDC validation if you are a foreign student who has completed a course of study within Canada.

You cannot immigrate to Canada with a work permit, however you may qualify to apply for permanent residence under the  Skilled Worker  program.

If you or your employer would like more information on work visas and extensions, and whether you are eligible, please  Contact Us  to schedule a consultation appointment.

Documents to have ready:
    • Identity documents
    • Offer of employment
    • Employer’s recruiting advertisements
    • Other documents may be required

If you did not apply to extend your stay prior to the expiry of your permit, you may be able to restore your temporary status if 90 days have not passed since your permit expired.