Yes, it is possible. Thanks for the temporary policy extension until February 28, 2025.
- Eligibility Criteria: You must have valid visitor status, an LMIA-supported job offer, or an LMIA-free offer and apply for a work permit from your employer before February 28, 2025.
- Conversion steps: apply for a visitor visa to Canada, review requirements and costs, submit an application with required documents, receive an LMIA-supported job offer, explore non-LMIA alternatives (if applicable), and apply for a work permit in Canada.
- Post-Expiration Rules: Labeling: After the policy expires, individuals may be required to go through labeling, a process in which they leave Canada through the U.S. border, apply for a work permit, and return to Canada.
- Temporary work permit: You can apply for a temporary work permit while you wait for your work permit to be approved.
What is a temporary work permit?
If you are applying for a job in Canada and have a current valid work permit, you may follow some special instructions for obtaining a temporary work permit. This allows you to start working for a new employer before you receive a work permit.
To apply, the applicant must:
- Have valid visitor status in Canada on the date of application.
- Have a job offer supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer.
- Apply for a special work permit from your employer no later than February 28, 2025.
- Meet all other standard acceptance criteria.
1. Apply for a visitor visa (TRV).
The first logical step in converting a visitor visa to a Canadian work permit is to become a visitor to Canada. Before applying for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa, or TRV) in Canada, you should understand the following requirements:.
Tourist tax and visa requirements
- The cost of applying for a visitor visa is CAD 100 (~INR 5,200), and the biometric fee is CAD 85 (~INR 4,400).
- There is a fee of CAD 100 per person to extend a visitor visa.
- To renew your tourist status, you will need to pay a visa fee of CAD 200 (approximately INR 11065.45).
- Try to leave the country after your visit.
- Proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members during your stay in Canada.
- Make sure you are in good health and prepared to undergo a medical examination if necessary.
- no criminal record; be prepared for a police check.
- All supporting documents can be submitted at the request of the visa officer.
It’s time to issue a visitor visa to Canada.
TRV applications are typically reviewed within 30 days. However, this may vary depending on factors such as the type of application, the applicant’s country, and the backlog of applications. Always check the IRCC’s official website for the latest processing time. Remember that complete and accurate documentation helps prevent delays. Consult an immigration expert if necessary.
It is always best to check the latest processing times from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). situ.
Visitor visa application procedure
- Decide if you want to register online or personally.
- Complete the visa application form with all the necessary information and documents.
- Pay the visa processing fee by certified check or bank draft.
- Take your passport, photo, and other documents to the nearest Canadian visa application center.
- You must provide fingerprints and a photo (biometrics).
- Go to the Canada Visa Center and submit your visa form.
- You will receive a receipt from the enrollment center with your unique tracking number.
- Use this number to track your online application.
2. Receive a job offer and LMIA
Once you enter Canada, you have a limited amount of time to apply for and receive a positive LMIA. Not to mention that getting a job offer is a very difficult process in itself. So you better do your homework well. Let us explain this point in detail.
Look for a job.
- Understand the job market opportunities in your destination.
- Match your NOC code with the required jobs in the industry.
- Apply online for jobs through Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and more.
- Apply directly on the employer’s website.
- Friends and family can help you find job opportunities.
Related topic:How do I get a job offer outside Canada?
Ensure a positive LMIA.
Even after enough job searching, there’s a good chance you won’t receive a job offer from a Canadian employer. Because the employer must comply, LMIA needs to hire you, and many employers are unwilling to sponsor temporary visitors.
Factors that increase your chances of obtaining a work permit while on a visitor visa:
- You have exceptional skills that employers cannot find anywhere else.
- You have sufficient contacts to support you in Canada.
- You hired someone to find the right job.
Work permit visitor visa (without LMIA)
You got an open work permit only without LMIA.
- If your spouse or citizen partner has a study permit and is studying at DLI, you can apply for an open work permit as a temporary visitor.
- If your spouse or civil partner has a work permit and works at NOC 0, A, and B posts, you can apply for a work permit as a visitor visa.
- If your spouse is awaiting PR and is in “primary approval” status, you can apply for a work permit as a visitor.
- If you have applied for PR as part of partner sponsorship, you can apply for a work permit while you wait for the decision.
Get professional help with your visitor visa or work permit.
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3. Convert a visitor visa into a work permit in Canada.
A new temporary policy
For me, a positive LMIA You can apply for a Canadian work permit from a Canadian employer. On February 28, 2023, the IRCC announced that foreign nationals currently in Canada on a visitor visa and with a valid job offer can still apply for and receive a work permit without leaving the country. The interim government policy has been extended for two years until February 28, 2025.
What is a flagpole?
After the temporary policy expires, you will need to go through a process called flagging. Currently, visitors must leave Canada through the U.S. border, apply for a work permit, and then enter Canada.
Using a flagpole to activate a new Canadian work permit is legal. However, it is important to be honest and provide accurate information during the process. Providing false information can have serious consequences. Consult an immigration professional before putting up a flagpole or changing your immigration status.
4. Temporary work permit
We discussed how to convert a visitor visa to a Canadian work permit. Now we understand how a temporary work permit works. If you apply for a visitor work permit in Canada, you will have to wait approximately 135 days before you receive it. This means that you cannot work until your work permit has been approved.
IRCC solved this problem through a “temporary work permit.” That said, you can get this work permit quickly. You can start working as soon as you have received a job offer from the employer. It was introduced to address labor shortages, although this does not happen automatically.
The procedure for obtaining a temporary work permit is as follows:
- Fill it up in the IRCC online formulation, which is available on the official website.
- Wait for IRCC to contact you. This can take up to 30 working days (6 weeks).
Get professional help from certified advisors.
We provide immigration assistance to those who wish to settle in Canada. Our team is led by Keshav Sharma, a licensed and regulated Canadian immigration consultant with years of experience. We help with visa applications, work permits, or permanent residence. Contact our specialists for more information on how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions: Visitor Visa, Work Permit
1. What happens if I stay as a guest in Canada for more than 6 months?
If you are a visitor in Canada for more than six months, you will be considered overstayed or ‘out of status’. Exceeding the permitted period can have various consequences, such as:
- Loss of visitor status: Overstay violates entry conditions and may result in deportation or other immigration consequences.
- Immigration Consequences: It is very important to follow your authorized stay in Canada to avoid complications and comply with Canadian immigration rules. Exceeding the time limit could jeopardize your future plans to travel around the country.
2. How many days does it take to convert a visitor visa to a Canadian work permit?
The standard processing time for online applications is typically 16–20 days. However, some applications may take longer due to additional processing requirements or complexity, and in such cases, this may take up to 15–20 weeks.