3 Ways to Get a Canadian Temporary Resident Permit

Canada Is a popular destination for work, tourists and immigrants. Its beautiful landscapes, plenty of work opportunities and liberal government make Canada an ideal place to visit, work and settle. With over 100 visa and immigration programs offered, there are various ways someone could go to Canada.

While some of these are permanent residency routes that allow foreigners to settle in Canada on a permanent basis and access benefits and social support (such as the famous Express Entry system or the Provincial Nomination Program), others allow you to study in Canada; or live, work and tour Canada on a more temporary basis.

There are many benefits to moving to Canada on a temporary basis. Various Canadian temporary residence visas offer foreigners the same benefits and rights as permanent residents. For example, a work permit will grant you the right to work and a study permit to participate in post-secondary education.

Temporary residence visas allow you to explore Canada and see what the country is like, before committing completely to immigration. Additionally, your chances of being able to immigrate are higher when you’ve been living in Canada doing certain activities, such as working. Here are 3 ways to get a Canada temporary resident permit.

1. Visit Canada

In 2019, Canada's national marketing organization known as Destination Canada recorded over 22 million visitors to the country. Canada is the second-largest country in the globe in terms of total area, with its ten provinces and three territories spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean. Because there is so much to see and explore in Canada, it’s no surprise that so many tourists flock to the Great White North every year.

Canada has so much to offer an enthusiastic traveller. It has big cities, national parks, natural beauty, the latest technology; lots of free, open spaces and extraordinarily friendly people.

There are several ways you can visit Canada and it’s dependent on your country of origin. Normally, you can apply for a visitor’s visa from your home country by submitting an application online, or a hard copy version.

When you have successfully applied for one, your passport will be stamped with a visitor visa, also known as a Canada Temporary Resident Permit. It demonstrates that you are allowed to enter Canada at a port of entry (POE), such as an airport, harbour or border crossing.

Most travellers to Canada are permitted to live in Canada for six months. The border services officer at the POE may let you stay for less than or more than six months. If so, they will record the deadline for your departure in your passport.

They may also provide you with a visiting record, which will include the time you must depart, along with other information such as the condition of your stay. Generally speaking, you cannot work or study on a visitor’s visa, but you may conduct research for a future business venture and later apply for a longer stay through one of the business-orientated streams.

If you do not require a visitor’s visa, you may still require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your country of origin, the type of travel document you have, your nationality and your method of travel (air, ocean or road, for example).

Most visitors to Canada either require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Some might merely require a current passport. Determine what's best for you by responding to a few questions:

1. What type of travel document do you have?
2. Please supply the country code of the passport you intend to use
3. Are you a dual Canadian citizen?
4. Are you a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and do you have official proof of this status, such as a green card?
5. What do you plan to do in Canada?

The answers will determine whether you need a visitor’s visa or eTA. The cost of a visitor's visa in Canada is around $100.

Requirements for a Canada visitor’s visa

In order to apply for a visitor's visa to Canada, you have to meet certain requirements.

• Be in possession of a valid passport
• Have a clear medical certificate
• Have a clear police certificate
• Illustrate to the immigracion officer at the POE that your intention is to visit Canada, and leave before the expiry date of your visa.
• Provide proof of funds that show you have sufficient money to explore, live in Canada and leave the country
• A letter of invitation if you are visiting family or friends
• Family information (of family residing in Canada)
• An itinerary of your stay
• Travel history if you have entered Canada before

Step-by-step process of applying to get a Canadian visitor’s visa

• Step 1: Determine your eligibility to enter Canada
• Step 2: Gather documentation to support your application to visit Canada
• Step 3: Apply online. Create a profile, upload your documents and pay the fees
• Step 4: Provide your fingerprints and biometrics at your local visa application center
• Step 5: Send your passport to get stamped
• Step 6: Pack your bags for Canada!

Perhaps visiting Canada is not enough, and six months is too short a time. Then you’ll need to apply for a longer temporary residence permit, that will allow you to study in Canada or work in Canada

2. Study In Canada

Canada has some of the best post-secondary education institutions in the world. Often ranked among the top 100 universities, Canada is home to McGill, the University of Toronto and McMaster University.

You can study in Canada as an international student if you meet the following requirements:

• You are enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• You can demonstrate that you have the financial means to cover your tuition, living expenses, return transportation, and any family members you bring with you to Canada.
• You must also abide by the law, have a clean criminal record, and obtain a police certificate
• You are in excellent health, obtain a medical examination
• You must demonstrate to a representative that you will depart Canada when your study visa expires.

Your study visa will be granted for teh length of time that correlates with your study course. you also have teh option of renewing your study permit and applying for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)after graduation to remain in Canada on a temporary basis.

3. Work In Canada

You can work in Canada by applying for a work permit. This allows you to live in Canada on a temporary basis. There are two types of work permits: open and employer-specific.

Open work permits allow you to work anywhere in Canada, and for any employer within the legal limitations set by federal law.

An employer-specific work permit is limited to who you can work for and where you can work. The latter generally requires a valid work contract. A work visa may last you one or two years and is dependent on the length of your contract.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program was established for Canadian employers to fill labour gaps that aren't filled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is often required to hire a foreigner to work in Canada. Temporary foreign workers are often hired as academics, in agriculture or as caregivers and there are dozens of programs that allow temporary foreign workers to reside in Canada and make a living. With adequate work experience, temporary workers can apply for permanent residency and stay on a longer basis.

Working Holiday Visa

A working holiday visa allows citizens or permanent residents of 35 partnering countries to live and work in Canada on a temporary basis. You’re allowed to travel around Canada and work at the same time. It’s a very popular program for young people from places like the UK and USA.

The Working Holiday Visa is the perfect way to explore a country while still supporting yourself. Generally speaking, you'll be granted an open work permit so you can work anywhere in Canada as you travel around. The length of your temporary stay is entirely dependent on your country of origin. Some visas last up to two years, while others; as little as six months. This will be determined at the POE when you first enter Canada.

Come to Canada

There are various ways to get a visa to Canada that will allow you to stay for a short period of time. Getting a Canada Temporary Resident Permit to explore Canada and see what it has to offer is a big step in the right direction to later working, studying and living in Canada. To get assistance with your application process, contact a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant for advice.

FAQs

1. Can I Renew My Visitor Visa to Canada?

In most cases, you can apply online to renew or extend your visitor’s visa and get a visitor’s record. Your visitor status in Canada and the duration of your stay are specified in a visitor record. It doesn't ensure that you can leave Canada and then come back. You must adhere to Canada's Entry rules if you intend to travel outside.

2. Why Should I Apply Online?

There are various benefits to applying online for a visitor’s visa:

• You get your application immediately, with no courier fees or mail delivery delays.
• The processing of your application might go more rapidly.
• It assists you in ensuring that your application is finished before submitting it.
• More documents can be quickly submitted online
• You can simply use your online account to receive information on the status of your application.

3. Can I Stay After My Canada Temporary Resident Permit Expires?

Once your visitor’s visa expires, you will be out of status and must leave teh country. However, if you applied to renew your visa, or to change your condition of stay by submitting an application to work or study in Canada, then you may remain in the country while you await the results of your application