International visitors, students, and workers in Canada with valid work permits, study permits, or visitor visas may require an additional visa based on their country of origin. In contrast to work and study permits, work and study visas are essential to the immigration process for individuals who require them. These visas are necessary to enable lawful entry and stay in Canada and guarantee that immigration laws are followed. In this blog, we are going to discover FAQs about students visas and workers wish to come to Canada.
What sets apart a visa from a permit?
For the period of time indicated on the permit, work and study permits are essential documents that allow foreign nationals to reside, work, and study lawfully in Canada. These documents determine the holder’s legal standing and specify the activities they are allowed to engage in as well as the length of their stay in the nation.
Canada divides work permits into two categories: open work permits (OWPs) and closed work permits, which are based on Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). While closed or LMIA-based permits are exclusive to a single business and demand documentation of a positive LMIA, holders of open work permits are free to work for any Canadian employer without the requirement for a specific employment offer.
Conversely, documents related to entry and re-entry into Canada at a port of entry are known as visas. They indicate that authorities have authorized the bearer to enter or return to Canada, along with confirming their legal status. Visas that are associated with work permits, study permits, or tourist visits fall under the category of temporary resident visas (TRVs). Nations that do not need a TRV usually require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for admission into Canada.
Can I make payment for a visa or eTA using my country’s local currency?
The majority of people who are new to Canada can easily pay with their local currency for their eTAs or visas. Check the IRCC page for your country of residence to see if you qualify for this option. This link provides information on the visa office that accepts applications for immigration from your area. You can determine whether you can make payments in your local currency by looking up this information.
Is it advisable to apply for an eTA or visa simultaneously with my work or study permit application?
Depending on your citizenship, the IRCC advises against applying for a visa or eTA at the same time as your application for a work or study permit. Successful applicants will receive their eTA or visa concurrently with their work or study permit.
It’s crucial to remember that applicants must send their passport to a Canadian visa office for a work or study visa to be issued.
If I have a temporary resident visa (for work, study, or tourism), can I exit Canada and return?
Canada offers tourists two categories of visas: single-entry and multiple-entry temporary resident visas.
Single-entry visas: Temporary residents, such as students, workers, and tourists, holding a single-entry visa must obtain a new visa if they plan to re-enter Canada after leaving. However, there are exceptions:
- If you are coming from Canada to St. Pierre and/or Miquelon in the United States.
- If you plan to leave Canada before your approved stay expires.
In certain situations, you might be able to use your original single-entry visa to reenter Canada without getting a new one. If your visitor visa has expired and you want to enter Canada again, this clause also applies to you.
Multiple-entry visas: Temporary residents with a multiple-entry visa can exit and re-enter Canada multiple times within the visa’s validity period. This flexibility allows them to travel in and out of Canada as needed without requiring a new visa for each entry.
Understanding these differences is crucial if you want to know what travel benefits come with each kind of visa for short-term visits to Canada.
How can I determine when my temporary resident status in Canada, whether as a student, worker, or tourist, has ended?
Those who are new to Canada and are in the country with a work or study permit can verify their paperwork to see when their status as temporary residents ends.
Depending on your visitor record or permit, your visa or Electronic Travel Authorization may occasionally expire before your status as a temporary resident. In these situations, you might have to apply to renew your eTA or extend your visa.
A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) official will normally stamp your passport with the entry date for visitors entering Canada at a port of entry or issue a new one.
Officers occasionally write a brief note that specifies the precise day that your temporary status expires beneath the stamp. In general, your temporary status expires six months after you arrive in Canada if authorities do not provide a stamp, handwritten note, or replacement paperwork.
I have a new passport, but my valid visa is in my old passport. Can I still use the visa from my old passport?
When faced with this circumstance, newcomers can enter Canada with the visa from their previous passport by producing both their new, valid passport or travel document, and their previous passport, which still contains the valid visa.
The IRCC deems this strategy appropriate. To avoid potential delays at the border, immigrants should get a new visa in their currently valid passport. In addition, they might have to explain why their previous passport or travel document is no longer valid.
Conclusion
Although applying for and managing work and student visas in Canada can be challenging, it’s essential to comprehend the procedures and requirements. Candidates should ensure all paperwork is up to date, prepare for any delays, and seek help if needed. Keeping up with IRCC updates helps facilitate a more seamless transition when studying or working in Canada.