Temporary Residence

If you would like to come to Canada to work, study, or just for a visit, you will most likely require Temporary Resident Visa. There are different types of visas depending on the reasons why you wish to visit Canada, and they are typically issued by Canadian visa posts in your country of residence. The validity of a visa can last anywhere from a matter of days to a matter of years, depending on the reasons for the visit and your ability to support yourself while in Canada. It is often possible to extend a visa once inside of Canada.

There are three main categories of temporary resident visa:

  • Visitor Visas
  • Student Permits
  • Work Permits

1. Visitor Visas


Persons who wish to visit Canada for leisure, to visit friends or family, or for a variety of other reasons may need to obtain a "Temporary Resident Visa", or visitor visa, before doing so. Citizens of certain countries, such as the United States and Great Britain, are generally exempt from this requirement, but most are not. Visitor visas are usually valid for six months and may be extended from within Canada. A visitor visa may be issued as either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.

In assessing whether to grant a visitor visa to an applicant, the Canadian visa post will look at such things as the reason for your visit, the funds you have to support yourself while in Canada, and the likeliness that you will leave Canada by the expiry of your visa.

If you are interested in obtaining a visitor visa to Canada, please contact us for further information.

2. Study Permits

People from around the world come to Canada every year to study at the college and university level. In almost all cases, a person will require a student permit in order to study here, which will allow the student to reside in Canada for the duration of their studies. In certain cases, a person on a valid study permit may also be eligible to apply for a work permit from inside of Canada, which will allow them to work up to 20 hours / week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, winter and summer holidays, and spring break).

To qualify for a study permit, an applicant must first receive a letter of acceptance from an eligible academic institution (most Canadian colleges and universities will qualify). In addition, you must also be able to demonstrate that you have enough money to pay for your tuition, living expenses and return transportation for yourself and your accompanying family members, among other requirements.

If you are interested in obtaining a study permit to Canada, please contact us for further information.

3. Work Permits

Canada has an abundance of employment opportunities for foreign workers who meet the employment qualifications. Before you can begin to work in Canada, it is generally required that you be in possession of a work permit. In most cases, you will first require a written job offer letter from a Canadian employer. The employer must then have their offer of employment validated by the department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) before a visa will be issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Not only will a work permit allow a person to gain valuable work experience in Canada, but it can also help to facilitate and expedite a person's application for permanent residence.

If you are interested in obtaining a work permit to Canada, or if you are an employer who wishes to hire a foreign worker, please contact us for further information.

Useful Links

Ontario's colleges and universities

Quebec's colleges and universities

Ottawa's college and universities:

Prince Edward Island colleges and universities:

New Brunswick university


Online Assessment

Free Evaluation of your eligibility in qualifying for permanent residence to Canada under the Skilled Worker, Business Immigration or Family Sponsorship categories.

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Temporary Residence

If you would like to come to Canada to work, study, or just for a visit, you will most likely require Temporary Resident Visa. There are different types of visas.

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