Canada offers a range of programs that provide qualified individuals with the opportunity to reside in Canada on a temporary basis. Work permits, study permits, visitor visas, super visas and, (for visitor visa exempt passport holders), Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA’s) are examples of relevant programs. The TR permit which is a document issued by Canadian immigration authorities that can allow an otherwise unqualified visitor to cross the border for a specific amount of time. Temporary Resident Permits can be issued for as little as one day (single entry) or for as long as ten years (multiple entries), depending on a variety of factors including a person's reason for entering Canada and the strength of their application.
In Canada, temporary residence status refers to individuals who come to the country for a set period of time to study, work, or visit
Work Permit
Canada is a key destination for many foreign nationals who are seeking employment openings. The country boasts a solid and diverse economy with a high-standard of workplace safety, competitive pays, and many opportunities for professional growth and development. In addition to this, working in Canada is an excellent first step for those seeking to immigrate to the country permanently.
Types of Canadian work permits
You must apply for the correct type of work permit depending on your reason for coming to Canada which can include:
- Temporary foreign workers
- Business people, including professionals, investors, traders, and individuals transferring from another branch of the same international company
- Caregivers, including those applying through the nation’s Live-in Caregiver program
- Agricultural workers
- Students
- International Experience Canada
Work Permit Requirements
To be issued a Canadian work permit, there are certain requirements that you must fulfil. These requirements may differ depending on your location when applying and the type of work permit you’re applying for. However, regardless of these various factors, one must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a work permit:
- Financially capable of supporting yourself and your family during your time in Canada
- Prove that you’ll leave Canada once your visa expires
- Not plan to work for an ineligible employer, i.e., employers who have failed to comply with the given conditions
- Have no criminal record
- Good health condition
If you are in Canada and you want to apply for a work permit, you must meet one or some of the following requirements:
- Have a valid study or work permit
- Graduated from an eligible school in Canada
- You’re under sponsorship, the sponsor must have a valid work/study permit
- You applied for permanent residence and are awaiting the results
- Have a temporary residence permit valid for at least six months
- You’re an investor, business person, professional, or intra-company transferee under NAFTA
For an employer-specific work permit, you’ll need the following to be eligible:
- Proof to show that an employer has offered you a job and they have paid the employer compliance fee
- A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment
Study Permit
Canada has one of the quality education systems in the world. This is why each year, the number of international students coming to Canada as an immigrants and it has a high demanding rate for the colleges and the universities. To study in Canada, you need to acquire a study permit first.
A study permit is a document issued by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to international students, allowing them to study in Canada for a given time. It is usually given to students whose studies in Canada will last for more than six months.
Study Permit Requirements
To qualify for a study permit, you must meet the eligibility requirements set by the IRCC. You must:
- Have acquired a letter of acceptance from one of the designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada
- You need to prove to the immigration that you leave the Canada after studies
- Provide financial proof to show that you’ll be able to pay your tuition
- Evidence to Support yourself and any family members that accompany you to Canada
- Obey the law and have no criminal record
- Be in good health and willing to undergo medical examinations
- Be admissible to Canada
How To Apply For A Study Permit
- Check Your Eligibility Before you start your application, ensure that you meet all the requirements set by the IRCC to qualify for a study permit. This avoids wastage of time and money. If you meet all the qualifying factors, including enrolment into a DLI, then you can start applying for a study permit.
- Prepare Your DocumentsCertain documents are required when applying for a study permit. These include:
- Proof of acceptance into a designated institution
- Valid travel documents/ Passport
- Financial proof that you can support yourself and any accompanying family members
Depending on the uniqueness of your case, you may require additional documents, including a letter of explanation and a custodian declaration (for minors), among other documents. If you’re not sure which documents are required of you, contact us, and we’ll be glad to help.
Visitors Visa
If you need to obtain a visitor visa, you can request online or by paper at a Canada Visa Application Centre in your country. For some people, the visa application process can be complicated and difficult. However, you can increase your chances of getting your application approved while saving time and hassle by working with a reputable Canada immigration services provider. Visitor visa ,a lso known as a tourist visa, a Canada visitor visa is an official document attached to your passport. It serves as proof that you’ve met all of the requirements needed to enter Canada as a temporary visitor
What Documents Do You Need to Include in Your Application?
To apply for a Canada visitor visa, you need to submit five major documents along with your visa application form. The exact requirements may vary from one applicant to another, but you should at least prepare the following documents:
- Proof of your citizenship in your country.
- A valid passport, country resident card, or another form of identity.
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses in Canada.
- A letter of invitation from the individual or organization that invites you to Canada.
- Proof that you’ll only be staying temporarily in Canada.
- Biometrics
A Canadian Permanent Resident is a person who has been granted permanent residence in Canada by the Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through one of the various immigration programs. However, they’re not Canadian Citizens. They’re citizens of their primary countries.There are various programs through which a person can become a permanent resident of Canada. Each program has a different set of requirements set by the IRCC, and you have to meet these requirements to become eligible for permanent residence.
Economic Class
Express Entry
Express Entry is an online system introduced in 2015 by the Canadian Government to efficiently manage applications for permanent residence in Canada.
Express Entry uses a points-based-system (Comprehensive Ranking System) that evaluates the applicants and selects the highest ranking ones, based on the likelihood of their economic success in Canada, to apply for permanent residence.
For you to be eligible to apply for Express Entry, you must meet the minimum requirements of one of the following economic programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Under this system, individuals create a profile online through IRCC and are pooled together. The applicants are assessed and assigned points through the Comprehensive Ranking System Criteria based on their:
- Work Experience abroad and/or in Canada
- Education which is assessed by way of an Education Credential Assessment
- Language abilities which are assessed by way of test results from either the IELTS, CELPIP, and/or TEF
- Other relevant information
- There is regularly a draw, which is posted online, called rounds of invitations
How to Apply for Express Entry
If you’re looking to participate in Express Entry, follow these steps
- Check your eligibilityCheck whether you meet the minimum requirements for one of the offered economic programs
- Prepare the necessary documentsIf you’re eligible for one of the economic programs, start preparing all the essential documents. These include:
- Passport/ travel document
- Language test results
- Education credential evaluation report – for Federal Skilled Workers Program or to get more points for education
- Provincial nomination certificate (if you have one)
- Written job offer from a Canadian employer (if you have an offer or if it applies)
If you get an invitation to apply for permanent residence, you’ll also be required to provide the following additional documents:
- Medical documents
- Proof of funds to support yourself in Canada (except Canadian Experience Class applicants)
- Police documents
Submit your profile
Once you provide all your information on your Express Entry profile, and you’re eligible, IRCC will accept you into their pool of candidates. Based on the information that you provide, you’re ranked on a point-based system.
Get an invitation and apply for permanent residence.
If you’re among the candidates with the highest scores in the Express Entry pool and you’re selected, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Economic Class
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Under this economic Class, provinces can nominate candidates who wish to immigrate to a particular province or territory in Canada. Each Province has its own nomination programs with specific requirements that change regularly; we have provided a link to the respective government websites:
Ontario British- Columbia Alberta New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Manitoba Yukon Saskatchewan Northwest Territories Prince Edward Island
What are the provincial nominee programs?
The provincial nominee programs enable Canadian provinces to nominate applicants to emigrate to their areas. Each province has particular programs, which are called streams, and these streams target certain groups of people. These programs suit people with the following preferences and qualifications:
- They want to live in a specific Canadian province
- They have the education, skills, and professional experience to contribute to a specific province in Canada
- They want to become permanent residents
How to apply to a provincial nominee program in Ontario
You can use the following steps to apply to a provincial nominee program:
- Identify the right stream. Choose the program that suits your background and preferences
- Get an expert opinion. Consult an expert in immigration law to improve your chances of making a successful application
- Do the necessary research. Find out what you need for your application regarding forms, tests, and formats. While some programs can be applied for online, others require a paper-based application
- Comply with Federal Requirements Once selected by a province, file the subsequent Federal application and submit supporting documents such as medical and police checks and biometrics
- Make the application. Double-check all your documents and submit the application
Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship
Family Class Sponsorship Applications are available to applicants with a relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Family class applicants are not required to meet point system criteria.Instead, they must have a close family member who fulfills all the basic requirements to become a sponsor. To qualify as a sponsor, a person must be either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, be 18 years of age or older, live in Canada, and in some instances, must have enough income to support their foreign relatives once they arrive in Canada
Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents Of Canada Can Sponsor the Following Individuals:
- Spouses, common-law or conjugal partners 16 years of age or older;
- Parents and grandparents;
- Dependent children, including adopted children;
- Children under whom you intend to adopt;
- Children under guardianship;
Sponsorship
Spousal Sponsorship
A spousal sponsorship application enables you to sponsor an exclusive partner’s immigration to Canada. There are two methods of making a sponsorship application:
- Outland spousal sponsorship: An outland spousal sponsorship is processed where your partner resides, and you can make an appeal if your application is refused
- Inland spousal sponsorship: This type of sponsorship will be processed within Canada. Your partner must in most cases have a status in Canada as a visitor, student, or worker for this application. You cannot appeal the refusal of an inland spousal sponsorship
There are three types of spousal sponsorship:
- Sponsoring a spouse: Your spouse is your partner via a legally recognized marriage
- Sponsoring a common-law partner: Your common-law partner is someone you have lived with for a specific period in an exclusive relationship without being married
- Sponsoring a conjugal partner: Your conjugal partner is someone with whom you are in a committed relationship without living together or being married
Who Can Sponsor A Spouse
- A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
- An individual who is at least 18 years old