Canada Travel FAQs: Ultimate Comprehensive Guide

To travel to Canada, you need either a valid visitor visa or a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), depending on your travel document, country of issuance, nationality, and mode of travel. Answer a few questions to find out which one you need before applying. If you have a valid Canadian visitor visa, you don't need to apply for an ETA. If you apply for a work or study permit before traveling to Canada and it's approved, you'll automatically get a visa or ETA without extra fees.

If you're issued a visa, it will be placed in your passport.

If you're issued an ETA, you'll receive a letter of introduction with the ETA number to contact for any inquiries.

If your application for immigration to Canada is refused, applying again with the same information, even with the help of an immigration or travel agent, will not change the decision.

Your application may be denied because the immigration official believes you will stay in Canada beyond your authorized stay or because you're inadmissible to Canada.

Applying a second time will only cost you more money and increase processing times for other applicants. However, if your situation changes, you may apply again with new information,

such as being approved for criminal rehabilitation, eligible for deemed rehabilitation, inadmissible but applying for a temporary resident permit, or having medical reasons for inadmissibility that have changed. Hiring an immigration representative does not increase your chances of being accepted or change any previous decision on your application. If someone tells you that hiring them will improve your chances, it's likely a scam.

Learn about how to choose a representative and recognize common immigration scams.

To apply for a visa, it's recommended to apply from your home country if you're submitting a paper application. However, if you're legally admitted to the country you're currently in, you can apply at the nearest visa application centre (VAC), where they can assist in ensuring your application is complete and that all necessary documents are included. On your application, you must explain why you're not applying in your normal country of residence. You can also apply for a visa online.

A visitor visa, which is also referred to as a temporary resident visa, is a document required by citizens of certain countries to travel to and enter Canada as a visitor for a period of up to 6 months.

The visitor visa is an official document that we place in your passport to show that you meet the requirements to enter Canada.

It includes the date by which you must arrive in Canada. However, the date is not an expiry date for your stay in Canada.

If you apply for a study or work permit for the first time, you will automatically receive a visitor visa when your application is approved.

A visitor record is a document that can be issued to you by a border services officer if you want to stay in Canada for more than 6 months.

You may also receive a visitor record if your application to extend your stay or restore your status is approved. You need to apply for a visitor record at least 30 days before your authorized stay in Canada expires, either when you arrive or while you are in Canada.

The visitor record is an independent document that includes an expiry date by which you must leave Canada.

Prior to receiving your permanent resident visa, you are permitted to visit Canada as a tourist. However, until you have obtained your permanent resident visa, we highly advise against making any firm plans for your stay in Canada.

To visit Canada as a tourist, you must apply for a visiting visa.

Please be aware that entrance into Canada is not guaranteed just because you have a valid guest visa. Your ability to enter Canada and how long you can remain will be determined by a border services officer.

That's correct! Holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports from visa-required countries may be exempt from paying the processing fee for a visitor visa to Canada if they are travelling on official business. They may still need to apply for a visa, but they should check with the Canadian embassy or consulate in their country to confirm the requirements and procedures for obtaining a visa as a diplomatic, official, or service passport holder.

In order to enter or transit through Canada, the majority of passengers require a guest visa or an ETA.

What you require is determined by:

The kind of travel document you'll use, the nation that issued it, your nationality, and the mode of transportation you'll use to get to Canada.

Determine your requirements before to applying.

An Immigration Medical Exam (IME) is required for people who are applying to come to Canada temporarily and who lived in a country or territory with a high tuberculosis rate for six months or more. The tuberculosis rate is calculated using data from the World Health Organization.

As of November 23, 2017, people who lived in Singapore, Tunisia, or Fiji for most of the past year (6 months or more) must also complete an IME when they apply to come to Canada for six months or more.

However, people who lived in Argentina, Bahrain, Belize, Colombia, Portugal, the Seychelles, Surinam, or Venezuela no longer have to complete an IME, unless they are specifically asked to do so by Canadian immigration authorities.

If you have already submitted an application before this change,

You will not be penalized if you followed the guidelines that existed at the time your application was received. However,

If you are asked to complete an IME, you must do so.

You can find out if you need to complete an IME by checking the Canadian government's website or by consulting with a qualified immigration representative.

No, ETA is a prerequisite for entry. You shouldn't schedule or go on any trip to Canada if you were unable to obtain an ETA.

Fill out this inquiry form if you try to apply again but are still encountering technical problems.

Choose "Electronic Travel Authorization" under "Type of application" before choosing "General and Technical Enquiries."

Give as many specifics as you can regarding the issue you ran into. Note: It may take us a few days to respond to your query.

You will either face delays or be denied boarding if you choose to go to Canada without an ETA.

No, ETA is a prerequisite for entry. Until your ETA application is approved, you shouldn't visit Canada.

Within minutes after submitting an ETA application, applicants typically get a confirmation email from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, processing some applications can take many days.

Consider rescheduling your flight if you are about to go for Canada.

Verify the email address you entered on your ETA application form's junk/spam mail folder. Automated emails from the IRCC may be blocked by some spam filters.

Within 72 hours of applying, if you have not received an email confirmation with an application number, you must complete the following web form:

Choose "Electronic Travel Authorization" under "Type of application" before choosing "Case Specific Enquiries".

Give as many specifics as you can regarding the issue you ran into. Please be aware that we may need a few days to respond to your inquiry.

No, ETA is a prerequisite for entry. Until your application has been reviewed and approved, you should postpone your trip to Canada. You might want to think about postponing your flight if you have a flight to Canada scheduled shortly.

Follow these detailed instructions if you're unsure of how to submit the paperwork needed for your ETA application.

Fill out this web form to ask for a deadline extension if you need someone to provide you documents (such as a police department or doctor) or if you are having trouble uploading the documents.

You must have ETA to enter Canada. Don't travel until you get it. If you're leaving soon and haven't received a decision yet, consider rescheduling your flight. If you try to travel without ETA while your application is being processed, you won't be allowed to board your flight to Canada.

If your ETA application was rejected, don't travel to Canada. If you attempt to travel with a refused ETA, you won't be allowed to board your flight. It's recommended to reapply for ETA only after you have resolved the reasons for your application's rejection.

A visa-exempt foreign national is someone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and typically doesn't require a visa to enter Canada.

No, you cannot submit an ETA application in a language other than English or French. However, there are resources available in several foreign languages to help guide you through the online application process.

All travellers, regardless of age, who need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) must obtain one before flying to Canada.

Passengers who are transiting through Canada, regardless of the duration of their stay, are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visa. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Travelers whose flights stop in Canada only to refuel on the way to or from the United States, as well as participants in the China Transit Program and Transit Without Visa Program, do not need an ETA or a visa to transit through Canada.

That's correct. If you are a permanent resident of Canada, you do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. However, you must have a valid Permanent Resident Card or a Permanent Resident Travel Document with you when you travel. If you do not have a valid Permanent Resident Card, you can apply for one through the Government of Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. It's important to note that without a valid Permanent Resident Card or a Permanent Resident Travel Document, you may experience delays or be prevented from boarding your flight to Canada.

That is correct. Canadian permanent residents are not eligible to apply for an eTA, as they are already considered to have status in Canada. Instead, they are required to present a valid Canadian permanent resident card or a permanent resident travel document when travelling to Canada. It is also recommended that Canadian permanent residents carry a valid passport when travelling internationally, including when returning to Canada. If a permanent resident card needs to be replaced or renewed, it is important to plan ahead and check the processing times.

No, you require either a valid visiting visa or a valid eTA if you intend to travel to Canada.

The one you require is determined by:

The kind of travel document you'll use, the nation that issued it, your nationality, and the mode of transportation you'll use to get to Canada.

Answer a few questions to find out what you need to travel to Canada before you apply.

Even if you are eligible for an ETA, you do not need to apply if you already hold a current guest visa for Canada. As long as your visa is valid, you can travel.

If you apply for a work or study permit first before you fly to Canada, you'll automatically receive a visa or an ETA after your application is accepted. No further paperwork, fees, or visa or ETA applications are required.

We'll stamp your passport if we grant you a visa.

When your study or work visa is accepted, we will give you a letter of introduction that includes your ETA number if we issued one to you. If you need to get in touch with us concerning your ETA, keep this number handy.

If you apply for a work or study permit before you travel to Canada, you will automatically receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) once your permit is approved. However, if you plan to apply for a work or study permit at a Canadian port of entry, you may need to apply for an ETA before you can board your flight to Canada if you are travelling by air, but not if you are travelling by car, bus, train, or boat.

If your initial permit was issued on or after August 1, 2015 and you're from a visa-exempt country, an ETA was automatically issued to you when your permit was approved. The eTA is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, and is electronically linked to the passport you used to apply for your permit. If you got a new passport since your permit was issued, you will need to get a new ETA.

If you have an extension issued before May 1, 2017 and never received or applied for an eTA before, you will need to apply for one if you plan to leave and return to Canada by air. If you have an extension issued on or after May 1, 2017, an eTA will be issued automatically

when your permit is approved.

As on May 1, 2017, qualified candidates are given an eTA when we grant their study or work permits. If you're from a nation that doesn't require a visa.

If you are an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, then No. Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. no longer need an eTA to visit Canada as of April 26, 2022. For all modes of transportation to Canada, these visitors are required to present these documents:

A valid green card or another accepted form of proof of status in the United States, along with a valid passport from their country of citizenship

Detailed list of legal status documents that the United States will accept-

You require a certified document proving your position as an authorised U.S. permanent resident, such as one of the following:

A valid Form I-551/permanent resident card

An un-expired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp) is attached to a foreign passport.

"Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year" inscribed on a foreign passport upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admittance stamp on an immigrant visa that is machine-readable

Expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)

Expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card [green card])

Valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)

Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo

Yes. If you want to take prerequisite coursework like English or French, you can apply for a study permission through the Student Direct Stream.

If you are eligible, we will only process your study permit through this expedited route. If not, we'll consider it a standard study permit.

That's correct! Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need to present a valid Canadian passport in order to board their flight to Canada

Most people traveling to Canada with a Refugee Travel Document will need a visitor visa,

But there are some exceptions. If you have a valid Canadian Refugee Travel Document, you are exempt from both the visa and eTA requirements.

Also, if you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States and do not have a passport, you can travel to Canada with your valid U.S. Refugee Travel Document (I-571) and official proof of your lawful permanent resident status.

Each eTA application is evaluated based on individual circumstances, even if the applicant has been refused entry or a document to travel to Canada in the past. Therefore, individuals are encouraged to apply for an eTA regardless of previous immigration decisions as each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

No, applications from groups are not accepted. eTAs are required of all passengers from eTA-required nations flying to or transiting through Canada, whether on an ordinary airline or a chartered group.

That's correct. All traveller s from eTA-required countries who plan to fly to or transit through Canada, including those traveling as part of a chartered group, are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before boarding their flight.

Yes, foreign nationals without a visa, including dignitaries, heads of state, and diplomats, require an ETA.

Diplomats with existing Canadian accreditation are excluded.

Yes, that's correct. If you are from a visa-exempt country and have a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document, you do not need an eTA. However, if you have not received your COPR document before your planned travel to Canada, you will need to apply for an ETA.

A valid passport from a nation exempt from visa requirements, active credit, and an email account are requirements for applying.

Applying for an eTA just takes a few minutes and costs $7 CAD. The duration of an approved eTA is up to five years.

That's correct! The Government of Canada website is the only official place to apply for an eTA. It's important to be cautious of any other websites that claim to offer eTA services as they may be scams and could result in identity theft or fraud.

Additionally, you will need to provide a valid email address and credit card information to pay the $7 CAD fee for the eTA application. You may also be required to provide additional documents or information to support your application, such as a letter of invitation from a Canadian host, proof of employment or finances, and travel itinerary.

Yes, that's correct. To apply for an eTA for a child, a separate application form needs to be submitted. The application will require the child's biographic information, including their name, date of birth, gender, nationality, and passport number. The parent or legal guardian will need to answer some background questions on behalf of the child. It's important to ensure that all information is entered accurately, and the parent or legal guardian should sign the consent section on behalf of the child.

You can assist a friend or family member who wants to apply for an eTA. You must state that you are filling out the form for a friend or member of your family at the beginning of the form.

Beginning the application form:

A "yes" response to the question "Are you applying on behalf of someone?"

The question "Are you applying on behalf of a minor child?" should be answered "yes" if your friend or relative is under the age of 18.

The next screen you see is called Parent/guardian or representative details, and it asks you for some personal data.

After you finish that portion, you will be taken to the application form itself, where you can enter the details of your friend or relative.

No, each individual is required to submit a unique eTA application. If your child or children are included on your passport, each child must have their own eTA application submitted.

No. One application per individual is required. For a family of three, for instance, you will need to submit each application separately and pay the price for each one.

You will have to reapply. Make sure you enter the right data.

We need your accurate email address since we will email you to let you know if your request for an eTA is accepted.

Your eTA will be associated with the passport you will use to fly to Canada, thus you must have its passport number. It's possible that you won't be allowed to board your aircraft if the passport number you entered is incorrect.

When inputting your passport details, exercise additional caution.

That's correct. To apply for an eTA, you must have a valid passport issued by a visa-exempt country.

An eTA can be purchased using the following methods:

JCB® card, UnionPay® (debit cards are not accepted), Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, a pre-paid Visa®, MasterCard®, or American Express®, Visa® Debit and Debit MasterCard®, and INTERAC® Online.

Most of the time, candidates will get a response in a matter of minutes. However, processing some requests may take several days.

See also What Should I Do If My eTA Application Is Not Approved Immediately?

Although the majority of eTAs are processed instantly, some can take several days. Before the application is authorised in such circumstances, extra information is required. The IRCC will email you to let you know what to do next.

Verify the email address you entered on your eTA application form's junk/spam mail folder. Automated emails from the IRCC may be blocked by some spam filters.

Within 72 hours of applying, if you have not received an email confirmation with an application number, you must complete this web form. In order to do so, you must:

give some basic information about yourself,

Choose "Electronic Travel Authorization" under "Type of application" before choosing "Case Specific Enquiries".

Give as many specifics as you can regarding the issue you ran into. We may need a few days to respond to your question.

You will need to reschedule your flight if you apply for an eTA at the airport and it is not approved in time for you to check in for your journey.

No, an eTA is digitally associated with your passport. The passport you used to apply for your eTA must be used for travel.

Yes. You must make your withdrawal using this web form. You will have to give:

your name, your eTA application number, your date of birth, and the country in which you were born.

The application cost is not refundable, so please be aware of that. Most of the time, eTA applications are approved immediately after submission. As a result, before your request to withdraw your application has been completed, you can obtain an approved eTA. You will continue to have an approved eTA if this is the case.

If it becomes known that you are no longer eligible to enter Canada, your eTA may be revoked. An immigration officer would then cancel your eTA and email you to inform you of the cancellation.

You shouldn't visit Canada if your application was rejected. You won't be allowed to board your flight to Canada if you want to travel there with a cancelled eTA.

Once the issue(s) that caused your application to be cancelled have been resolved, we advise you to reapply for an eTA.

You will require a new eTA if you obtain a new passport. Your passport has an electronic connection to your eTA.

No. All THE application fees are non-refundable.

Before making travel arrangements to Canada, your clients should submit their eTA applications.

Yes, your clients can use the eTA check status feature to confirm their status.

No. You must submit a new application if your client requests changes.

Typically, travellers to Canada are permitted to stay for up to six months. However, the length of time your client may stay in Canada will be decided by the border services agent at the Canadian port of entry. The officer will stamp or note the duration on your client's passport.

To travel to or transit through a Canadian airport, the majority of travellers require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

What you require is determined by:

The kind of travel document you'll use, the nation that issued it, your nationality, and the mode of transportation you'll use to get to Canada.

You can experience delays or be prohibited from boarding your aircraft to Canada if you don't have the necessary paperwork, like an eTA or visa.

Find out what you need to travel to Canada before you apply.

The primary distinction between these two types of visas is that one-entry visas only permit admission into Canada once, whereas multiple-entry visas permit numerous entries.

The paperwork you require to pass through Canada depends on a number of variables, including whether you intend to travel there.

To find the paperwork you require to travel through Canada, you can respond to a few questions.

passengers with visa requirements

If you are from a nation where a visa is necessary, you are regarded as a visa-required traveller.

A guest visa is required if

You go to Canada (even if you fly there and stay for fewer than 48 hours)

Travelling through Canada for more than 48 hours, or you're crossing the border by:

Bus

Car train boat

Cruise vessel

If: You require a transit visa.

You won't have a valid visitor visa if your international flight makes a stop in Canada on the way to another country, you connect between two international flights there, and you transit through Canada in less than 48 hours.

Visa-free visitors

If you are a citizen of an eTA-required nation, you are regarded as a visa-exempt traveller.

If you are from a nation where an eTA is necessary, you must have one in order to fly via Canada.

If you are transiting through Canada and enter by train, bus, boat, or cruise ship, you do not require an eTA. You must possess the necessary travel documentation.

To get a transit visa, you can apply by filling out an application for a Temporary Resident Visa and choosing the transit visa option on the form.

If someone plans to visit Canada, they must apply for a visa from outside Canada before their trip. The requirements depend on the type and country of the travel document, nationality, and mode of travel.

It's important to check the necessary documents before applying. If they need a visitor visa, you can provide a letter of invitation to support their application, but it doesn't guarantee the visa's approval.

If you need help with your application, you can hire a representative who must be either a lawyer or paralegal who is a member in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, a notary who is a member in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec, or an immigration consultant who is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.

If you want someone else to represent you in your applicationfor Canadian immigration, you

must provide written permission by filling out two forms:

Use of a representative(IMM 5476) and

Power to Disclose Personal Information to a Designated Person (IMM 5475). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada cannot discuss your application with anyone else without your permission due to privacy laws.

It's important to note that Canada does not cover the cost of hospital or medical services for visitors. Therefore, it is recommended that visitors obtain health insurance to cover any potential medical expenses before traveling to Canada.

To see if you fulfil the requirements for the Express Entry pool, you must first complete an online Express Entry profile      .

-If we request your application,

Within 60 days, finish your online application.

Upload the necessary paperwork

Remit your fees

-You should also

Pass a physical examination, as well as security and criminal checks

Learn more about the application process.

Typically, visitors to Canada can stay for up to six months upon their initial entry. If they want to stay longer, they must apply for an extension and pay a new fee.

However, eligible parents and grandparents can apply for the parent and grandparent super visa to visit family in Canada for extended periods. The super visa is a multi-entry visa that allows entry for up to 10 years, but each stay can last up to 5 years, which is longer than the six-month limit on a 10-year multiple entry visa.

Note that specific requirements must be met to qualify for a super visa. For more information on the super visa and eligibility criteria, refer to official sources.

That is correct. The parent and grandparent super visa is a multi-entry visa that provides the option for multiple entries to Canada for a period of up to 10 years, which is longer than a regular visitor visa.

The main distinction is that the super visa permits stays up to five years long for each entry into Canada. Only six months can be spent in each country on a 10-year multiple-entry visa.

There is also a single-entry super visa available. The decision is still up to the visa officer.

See also how is a tourist visa different from a supervisa for parents and grandparents?

In order to be qualified for a super visa, you must:

Meet other eligibility standards and be the parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

A super visa is not available for your dependents. With the proper travel documentation, they can still apply to visit Canada for up to 6 months. Learn what form of travel documentation they require.

When determining your family size for a parent and grandparent super visa, take the following individuals into account:

The child or grandchild inviting you, their spouse, their dependents, any dependents travelling with you, any other person the child or grandchild inviting you is currently sponsoring or co-signing for, and yourself. SOME EXAMPLES

Yes, it is possible to withdraw a sponsorship application at any time.

Extending your stay

You should submit your application at least 30 days before your current status expires if you want to prolong your stay in Canada.

See How to apply to extend your stay as a guest for the application process.

If you entered Canada without a visa and want to stay for a longer period of time, you must submit an application and pay a fee. This has to be carried out from within Canada. A minimum of 30 days before your status expires, which is typically 6 months from the date you entered Canada, you should file for an extension.

You may be able to apply to have your visitor status reinstated in particular circumstances if it has been fewer than 90 days after it expired.

Get the forms and papers you require by using your document checklist. Make sure you provide the following information on the Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Visitor Status in Canada (IMM 5708):

Select (Section 3 at the top of the form) Restore my visitor status.

Give specifics about your circumstance and the cause of your overstay in Canada (under section 2 of the background information).

The restoration price is further due.

The acceptance of your application is not guaranteed.

You can apply to alter your status to tourist, but you won't be able to apply from within Canada for a new study or work permit once your existing one expires. This implies that you won't be given further time to renew your study or employment permit.

A study or work permit cannot often be applied for from within Canada for most travellers. You might have to leave Canada to submit an application for a new study or work permit if your status is changed to visitor.

Because of this, if you need additional time to submit your permission application, we highly advise against changing your status to tourist.

Make sure to apply at least 30 days before the expiration of your current permit.

How to submit an application to extend your work or study permit

If your present study permission has already expired, what to do.

Visit - Minors

You must submit the following records in addition to the ones needed for a visiting visa:

A reproduction of the kid's birth record

A signed letter of consent from their parent(s) or legal guardian, preferably in English or French.

The authorisation letter needs to say:

The name, address, and phone number of the custodian (the adult who will be in charge of the child while in Canada), as well as the parents' or legal guardian's addresses and phone numbers.

See Minor children travelling to Canada for further details.

You need to provide the following paperwork:

A reproduction of the kid's birth record

A letter of authorization in English or French, signed by the parent who isn't going on the trip and including their address and phone number,

A photocopy of the passport or national identification card that the non-traveling parent has signed.

See Minor children travelling to Canada for further details.

To study in Canada as an international student, you will need a study permit. You can apply for a study permit online or by paper. You must have been accepted by a designated learning institution in Canada before you can apply for a study permit. You will also need to provide proof of financial support to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada. Additionally, you may need to provide proof of language proficiency and a medical exam.

You must first receive a letter of admission from the chosen educational institution that you intend to enrol in if you want to study in Quebec. Additionally, your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), which is issued by the province of Quebec, must have been attested as having been issued. You can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a study permit.

Get in touch with the institution you intend to attend or the Quebec government for more details.

To study in Canada, the majority of foreign nationals require a study permit. Some people might not in some circumstances. Find out who requires a study permit.

A study permission should be requested before travelling to Canada. A study permit can only be applied for by a select few individuals from within Canada. A letter of admission from a Canadian approved educational institution is required before you can apply.

MORE INFORMATION how to apply for a study permit.

A study permission should be requested before travelling to Canada. Before applying, make sure you have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian institution of higher learning.

Whether you are outside of Canada or are already in Canada, you should submit an online application for a study permit. You can submit a paper application if you have a disability that prevents you from applying online or if there is a technical issue with the online application.

If you are a visitor to Canada right now

Learn how to apply for a study permit if you are already a guest in Canada.

As soon as you get your acceptance letter, start applying. The length of time it takes to process your application may differ amongst visa offices. For more information, view our application processing times.

A processing fee is due along with your application. Visit the Pay your fees page for more information on the forms of payment that the Canadian visa offices accept.

No, even if your application is denied you won't get your money back.

Yes. While in Canada, you can apply for a study permit. Telling us where you're applying from will allow us to provide you with the information and documents you need to complete.

For courses or study programmes lasting six months or less, a study permit is not required. However, there are advantages to obtaining a study permission even if you don't require one.

Varying processing timeframes. Your application's category and processing location will determine how it is handled. For applications submitted both inside and outside of Canada, the IRCC provides processing times. For the most recent information, check back frequently as we frequently update this section.

If you are switching schools or programmes of study, you do not need to alter your study permission.

If you are in high school

You must apply to have the terms of your study permit changed if you're going to a post-secondary institution and wish to be able to work while you're a student. Making this adjustment will cost money. You must apply for a new study permit from within Canada in order to accomplish this.

If you are a student in higher education

You don't have to update your study permission, but you do need to let us know if you switch post-secondary institutions. Learn how to notify us if your post-secondary institution has changed.

If you're relocating to Quebec for school

You must obtain an attestation of the issuing of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if you are transferring to a school in Quebec (and your prior institution is located outside of Quebec). Any level of education, even primary, requires a CAQ.

You don't have to update your study permission, but you do need to let us know if you switch post-secondary institutions. Learn how to notify us if your post-secondary institution has changed.

Yes, you need a medical exam to study in Canada if you:

COME from a specified nation or region for whom a visa to Canada is required

A medical student, a health care worker, or someone who plans to work in a profession that puts them in constant contact with children or the elderly, and will be staying here for more than six months

For further information, see Medical Exams

If you've been given the go-ahead for a visa, you might get a letter from the IRCC.

A super visa, a work permit, or a study permit  (if you're from a nation that doesn't need a visiting visa)

Its formal name is the letter of introduction from the port of entry (POE). But occasionally this letter is referred to as the

Letter of introduction initial letter of correspondence

Your study or work permit is not contained in the letter of introduction.

If your application was successful and you received this mail

Applied online or provided us with your email address while requesting a work or study visa.

Your Port of Entry (POE) Letter has a box marked "Permit validity" in it. You must arrive in Canada before that time.

You must submit a fresh application if the validity period has gone and you haven't visited Canada yet.

Your POE Letter's expiration date cannot be extended.

For the requested amount of time, your work permit, study permit, or super visa will be valid along with your POE Letter. Once in Canada, you might be able to extend your work permit.

Yes. Your study permit is not a valid travel document, though. It does not provide you permission to enter or travel to Canada. You might require your permit in addition to: an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visiting visa (temporary resident visa).

Work permits for students

General

If your study permit allows you to work both on and off-campus, you can work in Canada while you study, but only when your study program starts. You need to fulfill all the requirements to be eligible for this.

You might be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class Programme as a recent graduate. All of the following conditions must be satisfied.

You intend to relocate outside of Quebec.

In the three years before to applying, you must have worked at least 12 months full-time (or an equivalent number of part-time) in a position at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 in Canada.

You obtained your experience by working lawfully in Canada after graduating, and you possess the language proficiency levels necessary for your position in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

Your employment experience must have been acquired after you graduated. Work completed when you were a student is not permitted. When you apply, you are not required to be employed.

Additionally, you can be eligible for additional permanent residence schemes. Please use the Come to Canada tool to evaluate your eligibility to see which immigration programmes you might be eligible for.

No. If you are eligible to work while you are a student in Canada, you can only begin working once your course of study has begun.

Normally, you are required to stop working once you receive your final grades. However, you can continue working after completing your studies only if

You have applied for a work permit or are starting a new study program. Check if you meet any of these exceptions.

Yes, you can apply for an additional permit to work and study at the same time, but you must be eligible for both permits and demonstrate to the officer that you can balance your work schedule with your studies. You need to provide a letter explaining how you will manage both responsibilities, and include details on how you will balance your work and study schedule. If you apply online, upload this letter in the Client Information section of your document checklist.

If you wish to continue studying in Canada beyond the expiration date of your current study permit, you must apply to extend your study permit. It is advised that you submit your application for an extension at least 30 days before your current permit expires. However, it is advisable to apply for an extension more than 30 days before the expiry date of your current permit. SEE apply to extend your study permit.

In most cases, individuals must apply online to extend their study permit while staying in Canada. It is recommended to submit an application for a study permit extension before the expiry of the current permit.

If your study permit has already expired, you must restore your status as a student in addition to extending your study permit. You must apply to restore your status within 90 days of losing it; otherwise, you will be required to leave Canada. It is important to note that you cannot continue your studies until your status as a student is restored in Canada, and your study permit is extended.

If your study permit has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you must apply for a replacement permit. To do so, you must fill out an application and pay a fee. The application can typically be submitted online or by mail, depending on your specific circumstances.

That's correct. If you have applied for a new study permit before your original permit expired, you can stay in Canada as a temporary resident until a decision is made on your new permit application. During this time, you can continue to study under the conditions of your original study permit, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and have not violated any of the conditions of your original permit.

You can apply to alter your status to tourist, but you won't be able to apply from within Canada for a new study or work permit once your existing one expires. This implies that you won't be given further time to renew your study or employment permit.

Make sure to apply at least 30 days before the expiration of your current permit.

How to submit an application to extend your work or study permit

If your present study permission has already expired

You can become a permanent resident in Canada through different categories like Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Provincial Nominee Program.

To work in Canada after you finish your studies, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Some permanent resident categories require Canadian work experience.

If you want to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker, you need to complete an Express Entry profile. However, this does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence. Your score and rank in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System will determine whether you receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

Legal status in Canada means you have permission to enter and stay in the country either as a temporary or permanent resident under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as a Canadian citizen under the Citizenship Act, or as a Registered Indian under the Indian Act. If you are a temporary resident, your status is valid for a specific period of time, and it's your responsibility to ensure that it remains valid while you are in Canada.

You must submit an application to alter your immigration status—from full-time student to full-time employment, for example—or to lengthen your stay in Canada.

As long as you retain your legal status, you are permitted to remain in Canada while you wait for permanent residency. You must make sure that your status as a temporary resident is still current while you are in Canada because temporary resident status is only good for a limited amount of time. About extending your stay, learn more.

See also What Does Legal Status Mean in Canada?