Every year more than 35 million people visit Canada. Canada welcomes these visitors as tourists, students or temporary workers.

Work Visa

Temporary Work Permits are for persons who wish to work temporarily in Canada. Before applying for a work permit, the applicant must first have a job offer, and the employer has to have received a job validation for a foreign worker from a Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) in Canada. Only then can an application be submitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada via the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the applicant's country.

There are several different work authorizations available, some of which may not require approval of the HRSDC.

Student Visa

A temporary resident visa that allows one, after admittance, to remain in Canada to study for a period longer than six (6) months.

Most foreign students will need a Study Permit to study in Canada.

A Study Permit is not needed if:

• the student is planning to take a course or program in Canada with a duration of six months or less — a point of interest to persons wishing to take language training in English or French;
• a minor child is already in Canada, and their parents are not "visitors" in Canada.

To apply for a Study Permit, the applicant has to be accepted by a Canadian educational institution prior to applying. Application for the study permit should be submitted as soon as the letter of acceptance has been received and at least several months to a year before wanting to start the studies. Processing times depend on the individual Visa Office.

The following must be provided with the application:

1. a passport or travel document valid for a minimum of 6 months past the finalization of their studies,
2. evidence that the applicant can support themselves and their accompanying family members while studying in Canada,
3. a letter of acceptance from the educational institution,
4. medical examination results, if required, and
5. in some cases, a Police Clearance Certificate.

With a valid Study Permit, an individual may:

• study for longer then six months,
• work part-time on campus at the college or university at which they are registered as a full-time student, and
• apply to renew the Study Permit from within Canada, if they decide to continue studying in Canada.

Visitor Visa

Every year Canada welcomes thousands of visitors as tourists. If a person wishes to visit Canada, a Visitor Visa application must be submitted to a visa office at a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate abroad, along with:

1. two passport size pictures,
2. proof of available funds, and
3. payment of a non-refundable processing fee.

Citizens of certain countries do not require a Visitor Visa to visit Canada. To find out whether your country is one of them, visit Visitor Visa Exemptions (will open in a seperate window).

Visitor Visa Extensions

Temporary residents who are already in Canada as visitors can apply within Canada for a Visitor Visa Extension if they wish to:

• extend their stay,
• change the conditions of their stay, or
• correct problems with their status.

It is important to apply for the renewal before the expiry of your current status.

Visa Extension in General

Many foreigners in Canada face long delays trying to extend their visas because their passports are about to expire. No new visas will be extended past the expiry date of a passport.