
Temporary Residence
Temporary residence in Canada refers to a legal status that allows individuals to stay in the country for a limited period for various purposes, such as tourism, work, study, or visiting family. There are several types of temporary residence permits in Canada, including the following.
- Visitor Visa
- Study Visa / Permit
- Parents Grandparents Supervisa
- Work Visa / Permit
- Employee Specific Work Permit
- Open Work Permit
- LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
Visitor Visa
To visit Canada as a tourist or for other non-immigrant purposes, you will typically need to apply for a visitor visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Here is some information about the visitor visa for Canada.
Eligibility:
You must meet certain requirements to be eligible for a visitor visa to Canada. These include; having a valid passport, being in good health, having enough funds to cover your stay, and having ties back to your home country (such as a job, property, or family). This means, you will have to show proof that you will leave Canada at the end of you authorized date.
Application Process:
You will need to complete the appropriate application form, pay the required fees, and provide supporting documents. The documents may include your passport, photographs, proof of financial support, travel itinerary, a letter of invitation (if applicable), and any additional documents requested by the Canadian visa office.
Biometrics:
In some cases, you may need to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a digital photograph, as part of the application process.
Processing Time:
The processing time for a visitor visa application can vary depending on the country and the volume of applications. It’s advisable to apply well in advance if your intended travel dates need time to process for any unwanted delays.
Duration of Stay:
If your visitor visa application is approved, you will be granted a specific period for your stay in Canada. It is important to respect the authorized duration and not overstay your visa time.
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA):
In some cases, individuals from visa-exempt countries may need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) instead of a visitor visa. An ETA is required for travelers entering Canada by air and is linked electronically to their passport.
Study Visa / Permit
If You plan to study in Canada, you will generally need to obtain a study permit, which is a document that allows foreign nationals to study at designated educational institutions in Canada. Here is some information about study visas and permits in Canada.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a study permit, you must have been accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. You should be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses, provide evidence of a clean criminal record, and demonstrate that you will leave Canada upon completion of your studies.
Application Process:
You will need to apply for a study permit before coming to Canada. The application process involves completing the appropriate forms, paying the required fees, and providing supporting documents such as acceptance letters from the educational institution, proof of financial support, valid passport, and any additional documents.
Parents Grandparents Supervisa
The Supervisa program allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit Canada for an extended period. It is a long-term, multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to 10 years.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Supervisa, you must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. You must also meet certain requirements, including providing proof of medical insurance coverage, demonstrating financial support, and passing a medical examination.
Medical insurance:
One of the key requirements for the Supervisa is the provision of medical insurance coverage. You will have to show proof of Canadian medical insurance coverage that is valid for at least one year and offers a minimum coverage amount. This requirement is in place to ensure that the visitor will not become a burden on Canada’s healthcare system.
Duration of stay:
The Supervisa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years without the need to renew their status. This is different from a regular visitor visa, which typically allows a maximum stay of six months.
Work Visa / Permit
A work permit is an essential document granting legal authorization for individuals to work in Canada, ensuring compliance with immigration and labor laws. It serves as a gateway to employment opportunities and contributes to a regulated and orderly workforce.
Employee Specific Work Permit
This type of work permit is issued based on a job offer from a specific Canadian employer. The employer must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to demonstrate that there is a need for a foreign worker. Once the LMIA is approved, the worker can apply for a work permit.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit is a type of work permit that allows individuals to work for any employer in Canada without needing a specific job offer. Here’s some information about open work permits in Canada.
Eligibility:
Open work permits may be available to certain groups of individuals, including.
- Spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- International students who have graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada and are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Individuals who have applied for permanent residence through certain immigration programs, such as the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada class or the Canadian Experience Class.
LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is an assessment conducted by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to determine the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labor market. It is a crucial step for employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers through certain work permit programs in Canada. Here are some key points about LMIA in Canada.
Purpose:
The purpose of an LMIA is to ensure that the employment of a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on Canadian jobs, wages, or working conditions. It is meant to protect the interests of Canadian workers and the labor market.
Employer Application:
The employer needs to apply to ESDC for an LMIA. The application requires detailed information about the job position, including the job description, qualifications, wages, and benefits offered. Employers may also need to provide evidence of their efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position.
Recruitment Efforts:
As part of the LMIA process, employers are typically required to demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to hire Canadians for the job. This may involve advertising the position in Canada, conducting interviews, and documenting the results of the recruitment process.
Positive or Negative LMIA:
After reviewing the employer’s application, ESDC will issue either a positive or negative LMIA. A positive LMIA means that hiring a foreign worker is deemed to have a neutral or positive impact on the labor market. A negative LMIA means that the employer has not met the requirements or that there are concerns about the impact on the labor market.
Work Permit Application:
Once the employer receives a positive LMIA, the foreign worker can use it to apply for a work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The work permit application will typically require submitting the positive LMIA, along with other supporting documents such as a job offer letter and proof of qualifications.