Canada’s stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, and receptive people, make it a beautiful place to live. With a high quality of life, excellent healthcare, and education systems, along with a good security system, Canada offers a great overall experience for residents. Little wonder, tourists are seeking to settle down permanently in the country. A visitor visa lets you explore, visit family, or enjoy Canada’s attractions for 6 months. But what if you want to stay permanently after your visit? How can you convert your visitor visa to a work permit, especially when it’s usually only possible in certain circumstances? In this article, we will be showing you how you can legally change your visitor visa to a work visa so that you can be able to get a work permit in Canada.
About Canadian Visitor Visa
The Canadian Visitor Visa, also known as the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is a permit that allows people to visit Canada for short periods, usually up to six months, for tourism, family visits, or other temporary reasons. To get this visa, you need to apply in advance, providing documents like a letter of invitation, proof of funds, and travel plans. The actual length of your stay is determined by the immigration officer at the Canadian entry point. The visa can be for a single entry or multiple entries, and you might be able to extend it in certain situations.
What Can you Do with a Canadian Visitor Visa?
1. You can search for a job on a visitor’s visa and, upon securing employment, convert it into a work permit.
2. With a visitor’s visa, you have the freedom to enter, live, and travel anywhere within Canada. Additionally, if Canada isn’t your final destination, you can transit to other parts of the world.
3. While a study permit is required for most studies in Canada, on a visitor’s visa, you can take short-term courses if the institution is not a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), the course is under 6 months, and you complete it before your visa expires.
4. Although the standard duration for a visitor’s visa is 6 months, you can apply to extend your stay beyond this period, providing flexibility for your visit.
5. Until February 2025, you are allowed to search for a job on a visitor’s visa, marking a change in previous regulations. This would be discussed in more detail later in this post.
6. While a work permit is necessary for employment, on a visitor’s visa, you can engage in certain business activities not directly tied to the Canadian labor market. This includes visiting business sites, purchasing goods or services, and attending business events to network.
What Can you not Do with a Canadian Visitor Visa?
1. If you’re on a visitor’s visa, you can’t remain in Canada for a long duration and must leave when your visa period expires.
2. Without a work permit, working in Canada or engaging in any commercial activity is not permitted.
3. While on a visitor’s visa, enrollment in Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) for programs lasting longer than 6 months or part of a more extended program is not allowed.
4. You cannot apply for a study visa while holding visitor status. However, if you have a family member with a valid study or work permit, you can apply for a study visa.
Can I Convert my Visitor Visa to a Work Visa in Canada?
A visitor visa is designed for tourists visiting Canada for sightseeing and recreation, allowing exploration of different provinces but not permitting job-seeking or employment in the country. On the flip side, a work visa is necessary for securing employment with a Canadian employer legally. Working in Canada without following immigration rules may result in deportation and a ban on re-entry. Canadian employers must hire candidates with a valid work permit and Social Insurance Number (SIN), and hiring someone with only a visitor visa is against the law, leading to potential legal consequences for the employer.
It is strongly advised for applicants to adhere to the law and maintain a clean record. The conditions of a visitor visa explicitly prohibit seeking paid employment in Canada. If an individual holds a visitor visa and wishes to work, the only legal option is to reapply for a Canadian visa specifically with a work permit.
Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria for employment and possessing all required documents may have their profile approved for a work visa. However, attempting to work on a visitor visa and being found guilty can have severe consequences, potentially preventing settlement in Canada for a lifetime.
Furthermore, candidates must leave Canada by the specified date of their visitor visa expiry. Failure to do so might result in the immigration department reporting them to the police and sharing their profile with other countries, affecting future travel plans not only to Canada but also to other parts of the world. Thus, you cannot ‘directly’ change the visitor visa to a work visa but you can do so indirectly through the Temporary Policy method.
Temporary Policy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary policy was extended until February 28, 2023, allowing visitors in Canada to apply for work permits. This extension, effective until February 28, 2025, simplifies the transition from being a visitor to obtaining a work permit. In the traditional process, applicants had to apply for a work permit before arriving in the country. If the permit was approved while they were already in Canada as visitors, they previously had to leave the country to receive the actual work permit. However, the extended policy removes this requirement, streamlining the process for becoming a work permit holder without the need for departure. The following are the laid down criteria to be eligible:
To qualify for this temporary public policy and make the process easier, there are specific requirements applicants need to meet:
1. Valid Visitor Status: You should have a valid visitor status in Canada when you apply for the work permit.
2. Valid Job Offer: The job offer must be supported by either a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment. This ensures that the job aligns with what Canada needs economically.
3. Application Deadline: If you want to benefit from this extended policy, make sure to submit your application for an employer-specific work permit by February 28, 2025, at the latest.
4. Admissibility Criteria: You must also meet other standard criteria, such as passing health and security checks.
How to Legally Change your Visitor Visa to a Work Visa to Obtain Work Permit in Canada
1. Explore Job Opportunities:
Before getting a work permit, start by looking for a job in Canada. Check out different industries that match your skills. You can use platforms like Job Bank, LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, and provincial job banks. Attend networking events and job fairs like the Canadian Immigrant Job Fair.
2. Secure a Job Offer:
Once you find a job you like, make sure to get a valid job offer. The offer should be supported by either a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or be LMIA-exempt. This assessment checks if hiring a foreign worker would affect the Canadian job market.
3. Gather Required Documents:
Collect all the documents you need for your work permit application. This usually includes a valid passport, job offer letter, LMIA (if needed), proof that you have enough money, your travel history, a police clearance certificate, proof of ties, and any other documents specific to your situation.
4. Apply for a Work Permit:
Submit your application online through the IRCC portal, making sure you have all the necessary documents. If you have questions, consider talking to a consultant in a Work Permit Consultation.
5. Decision on Your Application:
Processing times can vary, so apply well before you plan to start working. Check how long your application might take. If your application is approved, you’ll need to submit your passport for stamping and get your work permit. If it’s not approved, you can ask for a GCMS note to understand why and plan your next steps. Remember, there’s no guarantee of approval, so make sure your application is strong and convincing.
Interim Authorization to Work
According to Canadian law, if you’ve applied for a work permit in Canada while under visitor status, the processing time is approximately 132 days. During this period, you are not allowed to work until your work permit is approved.
However, there is an exception to this rule known as Interim Authorization to Work. This authorization allows you to start working right away if you have received a job offer from a specific employer. It is designed to address labor shortages. It’s essential to note that this authorization is not automatic, and to take advantage of it, you must fill out a form on the IRCC website.
Canadian Work Permit Processing Fee
1. Work Visa: CAD $155 per person
2. Open Work Permit: CAD $100 per person
3. Work Permit for Group (3 or more) Artists and Staff, applying together: CAD $465
4. Restore Work Permit: CAD $355
Canada Work Permit Processing Time
If you’re applying for a Canada Work Permit from outside the country, it usually takes around 5 to 6 months. The specific type of work permit you’re applying for and other factors can affect the processing time. If you’re outside Canada, you’ll need to give your fingerprints and attend an interview scheduled by Canadian officials in your home country, following a timeline of about 152 days.
On the other hand, if you’re already in Canada when applying, you must stay in the country throughout the processing, which takes up to 130 days. Leaving Canada during this time or having an expired visitor status may affect your eligibility, so it’s important to stay informed and adhere to the necessary procedures.
In Demand Jobs to Apply for to Easily Get a Job Offer
Generally, to get a work permit you need a job offer from a legitimate Canadian employer. Here are some in demand jobs you can apply for to increase your chances of getting a job offer:
1. Nursing: Canada has faced a long-term shortage of skilled nurses, and the average earning for nursing professionals is up to CAD 51,837 per year.
2. Teaching: The demand for teachers, especially those who can teach kindergarten and elementary school kids, is growing at a rate of 4%. Experienced candidates can earn up to CAD 53,398 per year.
3. Human Resources (HR): HR professionals are in high demand, and they can earn up to CAD 40,202 per year.
4. Hospitality: With a growing influx of visitors, the hospitality industry is expanding, and candidates can expect to earn around CAD 42,499 per year.
5. Information and Technology: Canada is a leading country in the IT sector, with an average pay of CAD 71,177 per year.
6. Engineering: Skilled engineers are highly sought after in Canada, and they can earn up to CAD 83,637 annually.
7. Healthcare: There’s a substantial need for healthcare professionals, and the demand is expected to increase. On average, candidates can earn up to CAD 44,850 per year.
8. Finance: There’s a significant demand for individuals in the financial sector across provinces and territories. On average, foreign nationals can earn up to CAD 117,000 per year.
9. Software Development: Skilled professionals in the Information Technology (IT) sector can earn around CAD 64,292 per year.
Candidates with experience in these fields have a high chance of securing a valid job offer in Canada in 2024. A Canadian work visa allows individuals to work in the country for a specified period.
Conclusion
Canada, with its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and welcoming communities, offers a unique and enriching environment for settling. Beyond the scenic beauty, Canadians are known for their friendly demeanor, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home. Little wonder many visitors seek to settle in Canada and work there. If you are thinking of converting your visitor visa to a work visa thereby obtaining a work permit, then we hope this article was of tremendous help to you.