Canadian Visa

Immigrating to Canada as a newcomer can be confusing to learn the day to day activities in a new country. Canada may be very different from your home country, which means there is a great deal to learn about and explore before you arrive here. Here are some things to think about learning about before moving so that you can adapt to the Canadian lifestyle as fast and easy as possible

• Government Laws
• Banks and Financing (Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Bank Accounts, Checks, etc.)
• Health Care, Hospitals, Doctor Offices
• Cars, Public Transportation
• Education, School Systems
• Grocery Stores, Restaurants
• Housing

For more information on settling in Canada, visit our page on Living in Canada as an Immigrant page.

Permanent Resident Card:

If you are living in Canada as a Permanent Resident, you will need to have permanent resident card. This card is used to show that you have legal Permanent Residency in Canada. In addition to your passport, this card is a travel document you need to carry when you leave and enter Canada. Typically, Canada PR cards are issued for five years but can also be issued for one year. 

A Canadian work permit is the permission to take a job within Canada if you are from a foreign country. You usually need a work permit to work in Canada. There are several Canadian Work Permits that you can obtain to allow you to work in Canada.

No matter where you apply, you must:

• prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires,
• show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home,
• obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate),
• not be a danger to Canada’s security,
• be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed,
• not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions,
• not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages, and
• give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

For more information, visit our Canadian Work Permit page.

There are five major documents you are required to show when applying for a Visitor Visa (TRV). Note that each immigration case is a little different depending on your specific situation, but generally you should have the following documentation when applying for a ‘Temporary Resident Visa’ in Canada:

• Proof of your ties to your home country
• Proof of funds for your visit to Canada
• ID such as a passport or county resident card
• A letter of invitation from the person inviting you to come to Canada
• Proof that you will be staying in Canada only on a temporary basis

Disclaimer: There may be other documents and information that you may need.Individuals must obtain a TRV before departure from their home country. Individuals cannot obtain a TRV upon arrival in Canada. For more information, visit our Canadian Visitor Visa page.

If you intend to study in Canada, you will likely need a ‘Study Permit’. A Study Permit is issued by the Canadian government which gives you permission to study in Canada for a temporary period. In most cases, the Study Permit specifies the particular educational institution and course of study.

In order to qualify for a study permit, you must:

• Satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies
• Have a letter of acceptance from an educational institution
• Prove that you have money for the duration of your stay in Canada to pay for tuition fees, and living expenses for yourself and accompanying family members.
• Be law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity
• Not be a risk to the security of Canada
• Be in good health (complete a medical examination, if required)

For more information, visit our Canadian Study Permit page.