Canada, an economically rich country, offers immense opportunities to business visitors. Thousands of businessmen undertake short-term visits to Canada in search of new and exciting business opportunities. Under the Business Visitor visa category, foreign nationals may visit Canada for short periods to partake in business dealings with Canadian companies. The eligible applicants are permitted to explore business opportunities, interact with Canadian business counterparts, and participate in trade conferences. However, this visa does not allow applicants to assume employment in Canada. Business Visitor visa is best suited for travelers intending to experience Canadian culture, tour sites, and enjoy leisure activities while exploring various business options. A work permit enables a foreign national to work in Canada temporarily. Canada offers more than 100 different options to foreign workers.
Canada Business owner work Permit
Owner operators work permit opportunity to run a business in Canada as a foreign national on a work permit.
- Must buy or start a new business in Canada.
- Main application and spouse will get a work permit from the same business as an owner/operator of business.
- No IELTS required for work permit but must be familiar with English or French to justify application.
- No minimum net worth required.
- No minimum investment benchmark.
- No regional or provincial restrictions.
- Must hire one full time Canadian employee.
- applicant and spouse can apply pr later through any federal or provincial program after gaining Canadian experience.
Canadian Work Permit Types
There are two types of work permit programs in Canada:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program: A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required for a foreign national to obtain a work permit.
- International Mobility Program: An LMIA is not required for a foreign national to obtain a work permit.
The purpose of the LMIA is for employers to demonstrate to the Canadian government that the hiring of a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on Canada’s existing workforce. The federal department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) wants to ensure that the hiring of foreign workers will not displace existing workers in Canada nor place downward pressures on their wages. Workers that need an LMIA fall under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Although the LMIA process is the rule, there are many different LMIA-exempt work permits, resulting from free trade agreements, such as the former North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA. These free trade agreements enable foreign workers to apply for a work permit without their employer having to obtain an LMIA. In addition to these employers sponsored work permits, there are several work permit options available to foreign workers who do not yet have a job offer, including working holidays, post-graduate work permits, and open spousal work permits. Workers who do not need an LMIA fall under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
An open work permit is a work permit that is not job specific. It allows your spouse or common-law partner to accept any job with any employer. If your spouse or partner gets an open work permit, it is normally valid for the same period as your study permits. In some cases, your spouse or common-law partner will need a medical exam.If you are an international student bringing your spouse or partner with you to Canada, they may be eligible for an open work permit that will allow them to work on or off campus full-time while you study.
Who can get a work permit as the spouse or common-law partner of a student?
Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you:
have a valid study permit are eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) and
is a full-time student at one of these types of schools?
a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
a private college-level school in Quebec a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law (for example, Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree)
How long it takes to get an open work permit
Processing an open work permit usually takes several months. There are many factors that can affect the processing time.
How long is the open work permit valid?
Your spouse or common-law partner’s work permit will be valid for the same period of time as your study permit.
When should you apply?
Your spouse/partner can apply for a work permit before or after they arrive in Canada. The work permit will usually be issued for the same length of time as your study permit. Your spouse/partner does not need a job offer to apply for a work permit.
In some cases, Canadian visa offices abroad will process spouse/partner work permit applications at the same time as study permit applications. In this case, you will need to include the additional fee for the work permit and complete the work permit application for your spouse/partner, available from the website of the consulate.Most spouse/partners come to Canada as visitors first and apply for a work permit after they are in Canada. If your spouse or partner does not require a TRV, they may be able to apply for a work permit at the border or airport where they enter Canada.
How to apply
- Make sure they have what they need
- Read the instruction guide
- Prepare their answers for the online tool
- Know the fees you must pay
- Create their online account or sign in
Work Permit Conditions
Work permits issued by IRCC may be subject to restrictions. International students who were not required to undergo an immigration medical examination before coming to Canada may be subject to the following occupation/workplace restrictions that require an immigration medical examination:
INLAND SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP – SPOUSAL OPEN WORK PERMIT
Canada’s Spousal Open Work Permit Pilot Program (OWPP) was initiated on December 22, 2014, by the Government of Canada as part of its core immigration priority for family reunification. This program gives spouses or common-law partners the opportunity to continue to work in Canada while waiting for their spousal sponsorship applications to be finalized. This pilot program allows applicants to apply for an Open Work Permit with or any time after they apply for permanent residence in the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada (SCLPC) class. Sponsored individuals can work for any employer of their choice in Canada so they can financially support themselves and their family during the immigration application process.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to process applications submitted through the Spousal Sponsorship program within 12 months. The Open Work Permit Program can help to mitigate the economic and emotional hardships of a long application process by removing the need for a spouse to choose between being with his or her partner and being able to work.
An open work permit is neither employer nor job-specific and it allows the holder to work for almost any Canadian employer, without first having to obtain a confirmed offer of employment. These work permits are typically valid for two years or to the date of the applicant’s passport expiry date, whichever comes first.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for an Open Work Permit under the pilot program:
- You must be living in Canada.
- You must be sponsored under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada (SCLPC) Class
- You must have a valid temporary resident status such as a visitor, student, or worker.
- You must live at the same address as your sponsor.
New spousal or partner Work Permit applications can be submitted with your sponsorship application, and:
- may be submitted with an application for permanent residence.
- include the appropriate fees.
- be sent by mail or courier.
Can a spouse open work permit be extended?
A SOWP is tied to the permit of the spouse, or ‘lead applicant’, and will only be valid for as long as the lead applicant’s permit. If your SOWP expires, you will need to reapply based on your spouse’s permit.
How to apply for a spouse open work permit
The spouse open work permit application procedure will differ depending on which type of spouse open work permit you need. The first step is determining which work permit is best for you. If you need help figuring out the application, simply contact us and a member of our team will assist you with scheduling a consultation.
VISITOR VISA
Millions of visitor’s flocks to Canada every year to visit their existing Canadian friends and family or due to some other purposes. The Canada visa is granted for a period of six months and are either single entry or multiple entry visas. The Canada Visitor Visa is a straightforward visa application giving you the ability to visit Canada for a period of up to 6 months. Single entry visas and multiple entry visas are the two types of Canada visas available in Canada. Foreign nationals can only enter Canada once with a single-entry visa. A multiple entry visa permits its holder to come and go as often as they desire while the visa is valid. You do not have to pick the type of visitor visa to apply for; all applicants are automatically considered for multiple entry visas, and single-entry visas are only awarded in exceptional circumstances. Multiple entry visitor visas allow the holder to visit Canada as many times as they wish for six months at a time if the visa is valid.
Key points to note about this visa are:
- Visitor Visa can only be issued if you get an invite from your relatives, friends, etc. living in Canada to visit them or due to any of your purpose to be fulfilled.
- You can convert this visa to work or to apply for work.
- You can convert this visa for any study program in Canada.
- You can take your dependents and children along with you on this visa.
Eligibility Criteria
The Canada Visitor Visa process requires you to meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must prove that they possess sufficient funds to support themselves and their family for the entire period of their visit.
- Applicants should have no criminal record and intend to strictly comply with the laws of the country.
- Applicants who might stay either with their relatives or friends should also provide invitation letters from their sponsor.
- Applicants from certain countries may need a temporary resident visa.
- You may need to meet more entry requirements based on your profile.
Make sure your application has the highest chance of success by talking to our Canadian visa specialists at Sia Immigration.
TOURIST VISA
Canada, as a country, is known for being the most immigration-friendly nation. It is also a beautiful country to visit having a variety of natural wonders, historical monuments, and diverse cultures. Millions of tourist’s flocks to Canada every year to visit friends, family or to just experience Canada’s natural beauty.
Key points to note about this visa are:
- It can only be used for leisure or tourism purposes.
- You can take your dependents and children along on this visa.
To receive a Canada Tourist Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family during their stay.
- Applicants must not be searching for work or planning to start working in Canada.
- Applicants must have no criminal background and be willing to abide by all the country’s laws.
- Applicants who intend to stay with relatives or friends should obtain letters of invitation from their sponsors as well.or must have hotel booking
- Certain applicants may be required to meet additional entrance criteria depending on their profile.
- Applicant must provide the travel itinerary and to and from air tickets.
- Applicant must show proof of job, family, and financial assets.
Funds Needed for a Canada Tourist Visa
An individual living in Canada needs 1,230 CAD per month for their monthly expenses, and if an applicant is coming for tourism, then 2,000 CAD for 30 days per person is enough. This amount is an addition to the visa fees.
Processing Time for the Canada Tourist Visa
The processing time for visitor visas taken is 10-15 working days.
This time does not include:
- Time for giving biometrics.
- Application sends between VAC and visa office.
How much time is a tourist visa valid?
A person whose visit visa is stamped in the passport can stay 3 to 6 months anywhere in Canada. You must leave the country before the permit expiry date.
Conclusion
If you are planning to get a tourist Visa for Canada, then make sure you have submitted all the required documents properly. The documents needed are:
- Passport
- Photographs
- Proof of funds
- Cover letter
- Letter of invitation/ hotel booking
- Visa application form and other documents
- Travel itinerary
- Memorandum of Association and other documents
- Documents of Proof
If you still have any confusion regarding the visa application process, feel free to reach out to us and get better assistance for the same.
VISITOR EXTENSION CANADA
To extend your stay in Canada as a visitor, you must apply for a visitor record. This document will have an expiry date, upon which you must leave the country or apply for another extension to remain in Canada legally. It is important to note that a visitor record does not guarantee you will be able to re-enter Canada if you decide to leave the country. If your current visitor visa expires while your application for an extension is being processed, you can stay in Canada until a decision is made. This is known as “maintained status,” which was previously known as “implied status. “During this period, the conditions of your visitor status are extended beyond the expiry date, and you will simply be allowed to stay in Canada as a visitor. If, however, your visitor status has already expired, you may be able to restore your status if you continue to meet initial requirements and conditions.
When you first come to Canada as a visitor, you use one of these documents to enter:
- a visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa)
- an electronic travel authorization (ETA)
- a valid passport or travel document
If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (stay in Canada longer), you need to apply for a visitor record. A visitor record is not a visa.
A visitor records.
- is a document that gives you status as a visitor in Canada and allows you to stay longer
- includes a new expiry date
- that’s the new date that you must leave Canada by
When to apply for a visitor record
You must apply for a visitor record before your status expires. If you’re not sure when your status expires, find out how long you can stay in Canada.
Leaving and returning to Canada
A visitor record is a document that continues to give you status as a visitor in Canada and allows you to stay longer. It doesn’t guarantee that you can leave and then re-enter Canada. If you plan to travel outside Canada or the United States, you need a valid entry document, such as a visitor visa or ETA, to return to Canada.
Possible extending your stay in Canada scenarios.
- Students
A temporary resident who held a study permit and has lost their status can apply in Canada for restoration of their temporary resident status and study permit. They may also apply and pay for a work permit if they meet the requirements of the work permit program they are applying for. If they are approved for the study permit, the work permit application will then be processed.
- Workers
A temporary resident who held a work permit and lost their status can apply in Canada for restoration of their temporary resident status and authorization to work within 90 days of having lost their status. In addition to applying for restoration and a new work permit, they may also apply for a study permit, and pay the fees, if they meet the requirements for study permit issuance. The study permit will only be assessed after the work permit and restoration applications are approved.
- Visitors
A visitor who is out of status may apply to restore their status as a temporary resident. Temporary residents who are eligible to apply in Canada for a work or study permit [R199 or R215] may do so when restoring their temporary resident status. The fees for the study or work permit must be paid in addition to the restoration fee unless they are otherwise exempt.
- Temporary resident permit (TRP) holders
A temporary resident permit (TRP) holder who has let their permit expire is not eligible for restoration. They must apply for a new TRP.
Note: The person must still satisfy the officer that they are a genuine temporary resident and meet all the requirements of the IRPA to qualify for a new TRP.
What are the different types of temporary visas in Canada?
Do you want to visit Canada? Travel to beautiful places, visit tourist sites, family members and friends? A visitor visa allows foreign nationals like yourself to enter Canada as a visitor.
Whether you are an international student looking to study, a temporary worker looking to work, or visiting for tourism, you are required to apply for a visitor visa for your temporary stay in Canada. Learn more here.
What is a temporary resident visa?
If you want to enter Canada and you are not a visa-exempt, then you must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). A TRV is an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that shows that you have fulfilled all the requirements to be eligible to become a temporary Canadian resident.
A TRV can be issued for a single entry or multiple-entry. The duration of stay allowed is determined on a case by case basis. For tourists, the maximum period of admittance is 6 months. For foreign workers and international students, the duration of stay is dependent on their case. You can apply for a visitor Visa extension from within Canada.
To be eligible for a TRV you must be 18 or older, hold a valid government-issued passport or travel document, have all documentation in either English or French, not be inadmissible for reasons such as criminality or medical, have required funds to cover your stay, attend an interview and provide biometric information if required, submit copies of your current immigration status, and demonstrate that your stay in Canada will be temporary and you will return at the end of your authorized stay.
Tourist Visa
A tourist visa, also known as a visitor visa, allows foreign nationals to enter Canada as a visitor. Whether you are an international student looking to study, a temporary worker looking to work, or visiting for tourism, you are required to apply for a visitor visa for your temporary stay in Canada.
Canada’s beauty and sights make it a wonderful tourist destination. Learn more tourist visas and the different types available.
What is a Super Visa?
The Super Visa is designed for visiting parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The Super Visa is specially created for allowing parents and grandparents to visit and stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to 2 years without the need for any extensions. It is a multiple entry visa that remains valid for up to 10 years and allows reentry within that period.
To apply for a Super Visa, you need to be visiting a permanent resident or Canadian citizen as their parent or grandparent, have an invitation letter signed by and from your child or grandchild which lists assurance of financial support during your stay, the number of people living in the house, proof of their Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, and medical insurance valid for up to 1 year with a minimum coverage of $100,000 and proof that it is paid.
Business Visitor Visa
A business visitor visa is for business visitors to Canada who intend to stay for a period of 6 months or more, intend to work in the Canadian labour market, have a main place of work and source of income outside of Canada, have the required documents to support your application, have basic travel documents like a passport, have enough funds to stay in Canada, do not have a criminal record or pose a health risk, and cannot enter the Canadian workforce as a business visitor.
The main requirements for a visitor visa for business visitors includes proof of your activities to the border official at your arrival port of entry or airport, and an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you are a business visitor from a visa-exempt country arriving by air.
You can travel anywhere within Canada if you are on a visitor visa, but if you are searching for Canadian employment, a work permit may be a better choice.
Student Visa
If you want to study at a Canadian institution as an international student, you are required to apply for a student visa, which can also be referred to as a study permit. Student visas authorize you to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
You do not require a student visa is your study program is 6 months or less, you have children inside Canada, you are accompanying a foreign representative as a family member or staff, you are a member of the armed forces of a country designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act, or you are a Registered Indian.
Diplomatic & Official Visa
Diplomatic visas can be granted to people entitled, under Canadian law, to diplomatic and consular privileges who intend to travel to Canada for an official purpose or to travel through Canada on the way to the US.
Diplomatic visas are granted to heads of state/members of organizations with head-of-state duties, heads of government, cabinet ministers of foreign governments, diplomatic agents travelling to or from their diplomatic missions (or on a temporary mission to Canada), career consular officers, delegates to the international organizations listed in the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines, senior officials, senior officers of the Secretariat of the ICAO, family members of diplomatic agents, foreign diplomatic couriers, and special cases on authorization from the Diplomatic Corps Services.
Official Visas are very similar to diplomatic visas and are granted to persons entitled under Canadian law to official privileges and immunities who intend to travel to or pass through Canada for an official (government) purpose.
Facilitation Visa
There are circumstances where a Canadian citizen with dual citizenship will be required to place a facilitation visa counterfoil into the passport of the Canadian’s other nationality. A facilitation visa is issued in cases where not facilitating the Canadian citizen’s travel would result in undue hardship.
A facilitation visa can be issued for Canadians in distress because of lost/stolen documents, for dual nationals coming to Canada for the first time or who did not obtain a Canadian passport prior to leaving Canada, for children born in Canada to foreign nationals who have returned to their country and do not wish to assert their Canadian citizenship at birth, for children who go through the citizenship adoption process overseas and their birth country only allows them to leave on that country’s passport, and for Canadians under 18 who are coming to Canada to reside with their Canadian parents or for humanitarian reasons as determined by the visa officer (the person must also be in possession of a valid foreign national passport or travel document).
Courtesy Visa
Courtesy Visas are for all other persons traveling to Canada for the purpose of an official visit who do not qualify for a diplomatic or official visa. If you are traveling to Canada for an international organization or on behalf of a foreign government you can be issued a courtesy visa.
Courtesy visas can be issued as multiple-entry visas, with a validity period of up to 3 years upon issue date.
Business Visa
The Canada business visa allows those who want to go to Canada with the purposes of doing business with a Canadian company to enter the country and attend meetings or participate in conferences and workshops.
A business visa is valid for 6 months. As a businessperson visiting Canada, you have many options: you can apply for a work permit, apply for temporary residence in Canada, be a business visitor, or apply for a visa dependent on the industry you’re in or the work you intend to conduct while in Canada.
Organ Donor Visa
Under the Organ Donor visa, foreigners can enter Canada for the purpose of donating a potentially lifesaving organ to a Canadian resident in need of medical assistance. Applicants must intend to come to Canada temporarily and refrain from engaging in work or study and respect the terms of their entry to Canada.
To be eligible for an organ donor visa, you need evidence of medical compatibility between the donor and the recipient, evidence that the sale of a human organ is not being transacted, and evidence of satisfactory financial arrangements.
Visa to give birth in Canada
The visa for women to give birth in Canada is a simple Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). There are no differences in the procedures or what is allowed, except for the fact that the woman might or will be giving birth in Canada. This visa is temporary, usually valid for 6 months or less.
To learn more about temporary resident visas, click here.
What is an eTA?
An Electronic Travel Authorization (e TA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An e TA is electronically linked to a traveler’s passport. It is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new e TA.
With an e TA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally up to 6 months at a time). You do not need an e TA to travel within Canada.
Travellers who require an e TA include visa-exempt foreign nationals and lawful permanent residents of the US. You are eligible for an e TA if you are from select visa-required countries and need to travel to Canada by air.
What is a temporary residence permit?
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a document that authorizes a person who is inadmissible or does not meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or Regulations either as a temporary resident or as a permanent resident to enter or remain in Canada.
A temporary resident permit is usually issued for the length of your visit to Canada—for example, 1 week to attend a conference.
You cannot work while on a TRP. If you are a foreign national who wants to work while in Canada, check out the Temporary Work Permit.
What is a temporary work permit?
If you are looking to work in Canada, you’ll need a work permit from the government body of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before you come to Canada.
Temporary work permits authorize foreign nationals to work in Canada for a period of time. Work permits are issued based on grounds ranging from employment needs in Canada, work experience, education, bilateral agreements and pilot programs.
Depending on authorization, work permits can allow for full or part-time employment. A work permit may also enable you to apply for permanent residency. The different types of work permits include an open work permit, post-graduate work permit, work permit for IT workers, inland spousal sponsorship open work permit, and a bridging open work permit.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
With the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), Canadian employers can hire temporary foreign workers. The TFWP allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers for positions that couldn’t be filled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This program is jointly operated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
If you wish to apply for a work permit through the TFWP, then you will require a valid job offer from a designated employer in Canada. You must also meet the admissibility requirements to enter Canada.
The TFWP helps Canadian employers to hire foreign workers and provides foreign workers all the necessary rights and protections to work in Canada.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada for any employer and in any location.
If you are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), then you are eligible to apply for an open work permit. If you want to extend or change your work permit, then you can apply 30 days before your current permit expires.
The two types of open work permits are unrestricted open work permits and restricted open work permits. You are eligible for a work permit if you are the spouse or common-law partner of a foreign skilled worker or international student, an international student that graduated from a study program that lasted longer than 8 months, if you’ve applied for permanent residence through the inland spousal sponsorship program, a participant in programs offered by International Experience Canada, or living in Canada as a refugee or protected person (and their family members).
Work and Holiday Visa/Work and Travel Visa
A work and holiday visa provides temporary work permits to young people who want to legally live and get a job in Canada. The permits are valid for either 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship.
To be eligible for a work and holiday visa, candidates must be a citizen of one of the 35 countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement within Canada, have a valid passport for the duration of their stay, be between the ages of 18 and 30 (some countries of citizenship extend the upper age limit to 35), have the funds to cover initial expenses (usually $2,500 CAD), be able to take out health insurance for the full duration of their visit, have funds to purchase a departure ticket at the end of their authorized stay, not be accompanied by dependents, pay the appropriate fees, and be admissible to Canada.
Post-Graduate Work Permit
As a student who has graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI), you can apply under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) for a work permit. A Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
You qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit if you are 18 or older, complete a full-time study program that lasted at least 8 months, apply within 180 days of your graduation, and have a valid temporary residence status at the time of your application.
