Visit for a short while
The requirement for a visa
Canada offers many different options for temporary residence depending on your particular circumstances. All visitors to Canada require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter the country, with the exception of U.S. citizens.
Citizens of countries on the visa-required list, must obtain a valid TRV to travel to Canada, while those on the visa-exempt list require an eTA to enter the country by air. While citizens of the United States do not require a TRV or an eTA, Green Card Holders do require an eTA.​
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There are some cases in which you may not required a TRV. These include:
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the Transit Without Visa Program
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the China Transit Program
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countries designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act
Visitor Visas
Visa-required vs. visa-exempt
If you are applying for a visa to enter Canada, you will be expected to provide a number of documents showing that you meet eligibility as a temporary resident. Some of the things an officer will look for are:
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proof that you will leave Canada at end of your period of stay
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proof that you have enough money to support your stay in and departure from Canada
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proof that you are in good health
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An officer will also review whether you have any criminal history and whether you are a potential risk to Canada. Temporary resident visas are highly discretionary and the more documentation you provide in your application, the better.
Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
If you are applying for an eTA, it will be linked to your passport and valid for up to five years or until your passport expires.
Once you have obtained an eTA, you can usually enter Canada for up to six months at a time; however, this is always at the discretion of an immigration officer and an eTA does not guarantee entry to Canada.
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eTA exemptions
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There are some exemptions to obtaining an eTA if you are from a visa-exempt country. These include:
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being a foreign national with official Canadian documents
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being a foreign national in specific circumstances related to travel
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being a travel or official representative in certain circumstances
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Study Permits
Basic requirements
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​you must be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) - you can find a comprehensive list of DLI's on the Government of Canada website
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you must have enough money to pay for your tuition and living expenses
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you must be in good health
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you must show that you will leave Canada upon the conclusion of your studies
Due to COVID-19, if you wish to study in Canada for 6 months or less, you are now required to obtain a study permit and attend a DLI with a COVID-readiness plan approved by its province or territory.
While you study in Canada
Even if you have been granted a study permit, you are still required to meet certain obligations in order to maintain your status as a student. You must make progress towards your studies and you are not permitted to take leave from your studies for more than 150 days.
Additionally, any leave must be authorized. ​If you stop studying for a significant period of time, but have a study permit that has not expired yet, you may still be considered out of status if you have not met your obligations as a study permit holder.
Study permit exemptions
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family or staff of a a foreign representative who have been accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
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individuals on official duty in Canada as a member of a foreign armed force
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individuals with Registered Indian Status in Canada
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minor children
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Work Permits
Employer-specific work permits
This type of work permit allows you to work in Canada for a specific employer who has met the requirements to hire a foreign national. Most Canadian employers are required to obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in order to hire a foreign national. The LMIA will confirm:
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that there is a need for a temporary foreign worker
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that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to do the job
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LMIAs are applied for through Employment and Social Development Canada (EDSC) and have several requirements that must be met. Whether your employer applies for a high-wage LMIA or a low-wage LMIA, is dependent on the position you are being hired for.
Open work permits
An open work permit allows you to work in Canada for any employer; however, open work permits are only available under certain circumstances, including:​
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international students who have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and are eligible for a post-graduate work permit
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students who cannot meet the cost of their studies anymore
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individuals who have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to their job
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individuals who have applied for permanent residence in Canada
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individuals who are the dependent family member of someone who has applied for permanent residence in Canada
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spouses or common-law partners of a skilled worker or international student in Canada
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refugees, refugee claimants, protected persons or their family members
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individuals who are under unenforceable removal orders from Canada
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temporary resident permit holders
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young workers participating in a special program
International Mobility Program
Under this program, an employer can hire a temporary foreign worker without obtaining an LMIA. ​In most cases, the employer will have to submit an offer of employment via an Employer Portal and then the temporary foreign worker must apply for a work permit.​
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The International Mobility Program should not be used to avoid the LMIA process. The temporary foreign worker's proposed benefit to Canada must be significant.
Work permit exemptions
Per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227), the definition of work is:
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...an activity for which wages are paid or commission is earned, or that competes directly with activities with Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the Canadian labour market.
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Activities that do not take away opportunities for Canadians or permanent residents from gaining experience in the workplace, are not considered 'work'. The following people may not require a work permit to enter the Canadian labour market:
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Business visitors
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Foreign representatives and their family members
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Military personnel
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Foreign government officers
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On-campus employment
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Performing artists
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Athletes and team members
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News reporters and media crews
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​Public speakers
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Convention organizers
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Religious leaders
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Judges, referees and similar officials
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Examiners and evaluators
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Expert witnesses or investigators
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Health care student
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Aviation accident or incident inspectors
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Civil aviation inspectors
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Crew
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Emergency service providers
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Implied status
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Off-campus work
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Off-campus work (transition to post-graduation status)
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Registered Indians
Registered Indians
The Indian Register is the official record that identifies persons with registered status under the Indian Act. It is maintained by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). The Indian Registrar is the only authority who can determine a person's eligibility for Indian status. In order to prove your status, you can apply for a status card, or call Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Public Enquiries and request a Temporary Confirmation of Registration Document until you receive your status card.
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Temporary Resident Permits
What is a temporary resident permit
A temporary resident permit (TRP) is a status document granted by the Canadian government that allows individuals who are otherwise inadmissible to Canada, to enter the country for a temporary period of time. Your reasons for coming to Canada must be compelling and outweigh any risk to the country.​
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If a certain amount of time has passed since your offence was committed, you may be eligible for rehabilitation instead of a TRP.
The length of TRPs and other available services to permit holders
A TRP can be valid from one day up to 3 years and can be issued for one entry to Canada or multiple entries. If you are a TRP holder and wish to remain in Canada, you are required to obtain permission for this by completing a new application prior to the expiry of your current TRP. Applying for a new TRP while in Canada and after the expiry of your current TRP, will render you out of status and you could be subject to removal from the country.
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If you have been granted a TRP for 6 months or more, you can also apply for a work permit or study permit in Canada. This is beneficial for individuals who have been granted a lengthy TRP and will be in Canada for an extended period of time and need to work while in the country. An example of this would be a spouse visiting his wife and children in Canada for 6 or more months.​
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Super Visas
Basic requirements
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you must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian permanent resident or Canadian citizen
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you must have a signed invitation letter from your child or grandchild that includes:
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a promise of financial support for the duration of your stay​
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a list and the number of people residing in their household
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a copy of their permanent resident document or Canadian citizenship document
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you must have Canadian medical insurance that is valid for at least one year and is for a minimum of $100,000 in coverage
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you must apply outside of Canada
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you must take an immigration medical exam
Financial obligation
In order to meet the eligibility requirements for a super visa, your child or grandchild must show that they meet the low income cutoff (LICO) to support your stay in the country.
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The LICO is subject to change and can be found on the Government of Canada website. It is based on family size and your child or grandchild must be included in the count.
Other requirements
Similar to most temporary applications, super visa applicants should show an officer that they have strong ties to their home country, their purpose of visit is genuine, their finances are stable, and the economic conditions in their country are positive. These are some of the things that an immigration officer will be considering when assessing an application.
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Super visa applications are subjective and it is at the sole discretion of the officer as to whether an applicant is granted entry to Canada. Providing substantial proof that you have reason to return to your home country is imperative.
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Business Visitors
Qualifying as a business visitor
You must show an officer that:
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you plan to stay in Canada for less than six months
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you do not have plans to enter the Canadian labour market
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your main place of business, source of income and profits are outside of Canada
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Business visitors must also meet Canada's basic entry requirements, which include:
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having a valid travel document
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having enough money to support your stay in and departure from Canada
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having the intention to leave Canada at the conclusion of your visit
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proving that you are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians
Types of business visitor activities
The following list is not exhaustive.
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buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government
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taking orders for goods or services
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going to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs
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giving after-sales service as part of a warranty or sales agreement
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being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside of Canada
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training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company
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being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services
Business people and free-trade agreements
In some cases, an individual may qualify under one of Canada's trade agreements. If this is the case, they may be eligible to work in Canada as a business person.
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Canada-United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
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Other Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
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General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
