Frequently Asked Questions About Visas for Canada: Students, Workers, and Tourists

Foreign workers, international students, and tourists planning to visit Canada might require a visa based on their nationality. Work and study visas play a crucial role in the immigration journey, and they differ from work and study permits. Below are answers to some common questions about visas for workers and students in Canada.

What is the Difference Between a Visa and a Permit?

Work and study permits allow foreign nationals to work, study, and live in Canada for the duration specified in the permit. These permits grant legal status and outline what the holder can do in the country and for how long. Work permits can be either Open Work Permits (OWPs) or closed/Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based permits.

Visas, on the other hand, enable entry and re-entry (if eligible) into Canada at a port of entry. They serve as proof that the holder has been granted legal status and is approved to enter or re-enter Canada. Work, study, and visitor visas (for tourists) are known as temporary resident visas (TRVs). Those who don’t require a TRV, based on their nationality, will likely need an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Can I Pay for a Visa/eTA in My Country’s Local Currency?

Many newcomers can pay for their visas or eTAs in their local currency. To check if this applies to you, use the IRCC’s page to see which visa office processes applications from your country of residence. This will help you determine if you can pay in your local currency.

Should I Apply for an eTA or Visa Along with My Work/Study Permit?

IRCC advises against applying for an eTA or visa when submitting a work or study permit application. Successful applicants will receive an eTA or visa automatically when their work or study permit is processed. Applicants needing a work or study visa must submit their passport at a Canadian visa office to have the document issued.

Can I Leave Canada and Return with a Temporary Resident Visa?

There are two types of temporary resident visas: single-entry and multiple-entry visas.

Temporary residents with a single-entry visa will need a new visa to re-enter Canada unless:

• They are traveling to the United States, St. Pierre, and/or Miquelon, and
• They return to Canada before the end of their approved stay.

Those with a multiple-entry visa can leave and re-enter Canada multiple times within the validity period of their visa.

How Do I Know When My Temporary Resident Status Expires?

Newcomers on a work or study permit can check their documents for the expiration date of their temporary resident status. If the visa/eTA expires before the temporary residence status, you may need to apply for an extension of the visa or renew the eTA.

Tourists will have a stamp in their passport from a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer indicating their date of entry. Sometimes, the officer may write the expiration date of your temporary status below the stamp. If there’s no stamp, handwritten note, or new document, your temporary status will expire six months from the day of arrival in Canada.

Can I Use a Valid Visa in an Old Passport?

Newcomers can still use the visa in their old passport to come to Canada. They need to bring both their old passport (containing the valid visa) and their new valid passport or travel document. While this method is legitimate, it’s advisable to obtain a new visa in the valid passport to avoid potential delays at the border. You may also need to explain why the old passport or travel document is no longer valid.