How Can I Change Visitor Visa to Work Permit in Canada?

You generally cannot change a visitor visa directly into a work permit while staying in Canada. To work legally, you must apply for a work permit, which usually requires leaving Canada and applying from your home country or a country where you have legal status.

Some exceptions exist, such as:

• Open work permit for spouses or common-law partners of certain temporary residents or international students.

• Bridging open work permit for applicants who have applied for permanent residency and are already in Canada.

For a standard visitor, the typical process is:

1. Leave Canada before your visitor status expires.

2. Apply for a work permit from outside Canada, with a valid job offer and employer compliance documents.

3. Enter Canada on the work permit once approved.

Attempting to work on a visitor visa without proper authorization is illegal and can affect future visa or immigration applications.