As the new policy went into effect, currently visitors can convert their Canada visitor visa to work permit in 2024. It is defintely a good opportunity for foreign nationals who plan to have a job in Canada. So how to obtain a work permit in this way? Let’s read on!
Eligibility requirements for converting Canada visitor visa to work permit
According the Canadian government, foreign nationals inside Canada as visitors who receive a valid job offer are able to apply for and receive a work permit without having to leave the country. To qualify for this temporary public policy, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a visitor with valid status in Canada when you apply for the work permit.
- You must have a job offer that is supported by a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment.
- You must submit your application for an employer-specific work permit no later than February 28, 2025.
- You must meet all other standard admissiblity criteria.
Also, there are other ways to convert your visitor visa to open work permit without LMIA. But you only can do this when:
- Your spouse or common-law partner has a study permit and is studying a DLI at present.
- Your spouse or common-law partner holds a work permit and is engaging in occupations specified in NOC o, A, and B.
- Your spouse or common-law partner is waiting for PR and has “approval in principal” status.
- You have applied for PR under Spousal Sponsorship and are waiting for the decision.
Steps to convert a visitor visa to work permit
After making clear about the requirements, now you can follow the below steps to convert your visitor visa to work permit:
Get a valid job offer
A valid job offer is an absolutely essential precondition for your work permit applicatoin. So first of all, you should find a job in Canada and obtain a job offer from a Canadian employer. Make sure you have a written job offer that includes necessary details like your salary and duration of the employment.
Obtain an LMIA approved offer letter (if required)
The LMIA refers to a document issued by the Canadian government to employers or companies in Canada that allows them to hire a foreign worker. For most foreign applicants, they must apply for a job in such companies and get a offer letter to convert their visitor visa to work permit.
Apply for your work permit online
Now that you have received a job offer, you can finish your work permit application online as follows:
- Gather all the required documents
To submit your application, you should first collect all the required documents, including the job offer letter, LMIA (if applicable), proof of your current visitor visa status in Canada, a valid credit or debit card, and any other supporting documents asked for. Then you need to create electronic copies of your documents through scanner or camera.
- Read the introduction guide and complete the application form
Before you fill out your application form, you should read the introduction guide as it provides an explanation of how to complete the form. Remember to keep your form well when it is finished because it is required in the application.
- Sign in or create your IRCC secure account
You cannot make an application without an IRCC secure account on the website of the Canadian government. IRCC is the abbreviation for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. If you do not have such an account, you must visit the website and create one. With this account, you can:
✓ pay your application fees
✓ submit your application form and documents
✓ check your application status
Start your application
Once you sign in your account, you should follow the steps as below to start your application:
1. Click on “Start your application” on the account welcome page.
2. Select the “Apply to come to Canada” option.
3. Scroll down to the “I do not have a personal reference code” section on the next page.
4. Press the “Visitor visa, study and/ or work permit” button to start submitting your work permit application in accordance with the guidance of the website.
5. Ensure you have paid the processing fees when submitting your application.
Wait for the processing of your application
The processing time for work permit applications varies in the type of job and the number of applications. It is recommended to keep track of your application status online so that you can respond to any news from IRCC in time. Note that during the processing of your application, you cannot work in Canada unless you have obtained a temporary work permit. In addition, you should maintain your legal status in the country when you wait for your application approval. You can apply for an extension of your visitor status to ensure you can stay in the country legally if necessary.
Receive your work permit
If your work permit application wins approval, you will receive a work permit document that shows the details of your employment like the name of your employer, your job title, and your employment duration. Once you get the document, you can have a legal identity to work in Canada.
How much will you spend in applying for this work permit in Canada?
Generally speaking, the fees of applying for one person’s Canada work permit is 155 C$. If you need to extend your status as a visitor in the country, you should pay 100 C$ for your extension. Additionally, you may be asked to provide other information such as biometrics, which you also have to pay. To learn more about the fees, please click here.
How long will you wait for the work permit?
On average, a Canadian work permit is normally processed between one to nine months, based on various factors such as the type of your job and your application completeness. In general, it can take about 132 days to process the application for work permit when the applicant stays in Canada as a visitor. You can sign in your IRCC account to check your application status through clicking “Check status and messages” under the “View my submitted applications or profiles” section.
It should be noted that you cannot work in the country before your work permit application is approved. To help eligible applicants work during this period, the IRCC launches what is called an “Interim Authorization to Work”, which enables you to begin working legally while your applicaiton is being processed. It not only allows people with an employer-specific job can immediately engage in working, but also help meet the workforce shortage in Canada.
Notice that Interim Authorization is not automatic. You must submit an application to obtain it. Below are the eligibility criteria:
- You must be physically present in Canada when you are applying.
- You must be a visitor with valid status.
- You should have applied for an employer-specific work permit between August 24, 2020 and February 28, 2025.
- You should have held a work permit that was valid in the 12 months before you applied for a new one.
FAQs
Q: I’m a Canadian citizen and my spouse is not. Can my spouse and dependent children work in Canada?
A: It depends on the immigration status of your family members. If they are just temporary residents or visitors, they cannot work in Canada until they successfully get a work permit. Your family members can apply for work permits when they are in one of the following situations:
- They are in Canada now and qualify for an open work permit for sponsered spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and their accompanying dependent children.
- They are eligible for a work permit supported by the LMIA.
- They are eligible to apply for a work permit according to an exemption from the LMIA processes.
Q: How much experience is required for a Canada work permit?
A: To obtain a work permit in Canada, you must have completed at least one year of full-time work, such as 30 hours per week for 12 months (1,560 hours). Alternatively, you must have achieved the same amount of hours in part-time jobs, for example, 15 hours per week for 24 months (also 1,560 hours). Note that you have to accumulate enough required work hours within three years before you apply for your work permit.
Conclusion
The new public policy announced by the Canadian government brings a lot of benefits to people who would like to work in Canada. This guide dives into details about how to convert Canada visitor visa to work permit. By following the aforementioned steps and the regulations of the government, you must be able to transform from a visitor to a worker in Canada sucessfully.
Erin Lo