Foreign workers, international students, and tourists coming to Canada often need to navigate various visa and permit requirements, depending on their nationality and the purpose of their stay. Understanding the distinction between a visa and a permit is crucial for those planning to work, study, or visit Canada.
What’s the Difference Between a Visa and a Permit?
Work and study permits are key documents that allow foreign nationals to legally work or study in Canada for the duration of their permit. Permits grant the holder legal status in the country and specify the activities they can engage in, such as employment or education.
Visas, on the other hand, are required for entry into Canada. They are issued in conjunction with a work or study permit or for tourists visiting the country. Visas authorize the holder to cross the Canadian border and provide proof of their legal status. Temporary resident visas (TRVs) cover work, study, and tourist visas, while nationals from visa-exempt countries may require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead.
Can I Pay for a Visa or eTA in Local Currency?
In many cases, applicants can pay for their visa or eTA in their local currency. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website provides information on which visa offices handle applications from different countries, helping applicants determine whether local currency payment is an option.
Should I Apply for a Visa or eTA Alongside My Permit?
The IRCC advises applicants not to submit an application for a visa or eTA when applying for a work or study permit. These documents will be issued automatically if the permit is approved. Once the work or study permit is processed, applicants will receive their visa or eTA as part of the same process.
Can I Leave and Re-Enter Canada on a Temporary Resident Visa?
Temporary residents, such as workers, students, or tourists, can hold either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. A single-entry visa allows one entry into Canada, with exceptions for travel to the United States, St. Pierre, and Miquelon, provided the individual returns before their permitted stay expires.
For those holding a multiple-entry visa, travel in and out of Canada is allowed as often as needed within the visa’s validity period.
How to Check the Expiry of Your Temporary Resident Status
Individuals in Canada on work or study permits can check their documents to determine the expiration of their temporary resident status. If the visa or eTA expires before their permit, they may need to extend or renew it. For tourists, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will provide a stamp or note in the passport indicating the expiration date of their status.
What Happens If My Visa Is in an Expired Passport?
If you’ve received a new passport but your valid visa is in your old one, you can still travel to Canada. However, you’ll need to carry both your old passport with the visa and your new passport. While this is acceptable, IRCC recommends obtaining a new visa in the new passport to avoid delays at the border.
Understanding the requirements and differences between visas and permits is vital for newcomers to Canada. Ensuring that you have the correct documentation will help avoid complications during your immigration journey.