Canada is a popular destination for immigrants who want to settle abroad and tourists. It is a beautiful place to live and make sweet memories, depending on what you do there. However, you need Canada temporary visa to go there. And here’s where things can get tricky.
Often, people don’t have enough information on how to visit Canada, including what methods and visas to apply for and how to go about things. Knowing the different Canada temporary visas will help make your application easier and clarify what steps to take. Your motive for visiting Canada will determine what type of visa you’ll apply for.
Let’s explore the different visa options together!
Canada Temporary Visas
Canada temporary visas open doors to various experiences, from exploring the alluring and bustling cities to studying and other experiences. Whatever motive you may have regarding visiting Canada, getting a visa will help make it a reality. Therefore, you must familiarize yourself with the different temporary visas available.
However, you should note that the visas may have different eligibility requirements and application processes. So, keep that in mind as you know the different Canada temporary visas discussed below:
● Canada tourist visa
This short-term visa allows you to visit the country for tourism purposes for a short period of not more than six months. It is also referred to as the temporary resident visa (TRV), and you can tour the country or visit friends and families during your visa duration.
During this period, you can’t apply for citizenship or enjoy Canadian benefits like health coverage. You can only stay for the purpose you entered the country and can’t work or study for a long term. However, you may attend a program or study that’s six months or less, provided that you specified that in your application.
Otherwise, it will be denied. To get approval, you must prove that you’ll return to your home country once the program ends. Your eligibility for the tourist visa depends on your financial stability, intent to leave the country after your visit, ties to your country, and overall admissibility. Sometimes, they grant multiple entry visas, which allows you to enter Canada multiple times throughout your visa validity.
The processing time for tourist visas may vary, so to avoid messing with your travel plans, book ahead of your travel dates. While the visa can last six months, you should consider leaving the country before it expires.
● Canada student visa
The Canadian student visa is for people admitted into a school to complete a study program. However, getting a temporary resident visa might be a better option if your program is for less than six months. Before applying for a Canada student visa, you need an acceptance letter from a university in the country.
Asides that, you must provide proof of funds covering your tuition fees, return transportation, and living expenses. All these contribute to your eligibility, including a clean criminal record and your intention to leave Canada after your study period. Typically, the student visa’s validity lasts for the duration of your program and an extra 90 days.
However, you can extend it if your program exceeds the approved permit’s validity. During your study, you can work part-time on or off campus during school and full-time during breaks. After your program, you’ll be eligible for a post-graduation work permit enabling you to work in the country for up to three years after your program.
Furthermore, you can bring your spouse or dependent children with you, and they can be eligible for study and work permits. You can also apply to extend your student permit if your program is extended. Some institutions may cover health insurance or arrange for private insurance; otherwise, you may have to provide your health insurance.
Ensure you check ahead when looking for schools to attend. Note that the processing time for a student permit may vary, so ensure you apply well in advance.
● Diplomatic and official visa
Canada offers diplomatic and official visas to individuals who are diplomats, representatives of international organizations, consular officers, or any government official who has official business in the country. This is to facilitate the official and diplomatic duties of such individuals when they’re in the country.
Individuals with diplomatic visas enjoy privileges and immunities under international law and are often immune from the host country’s legal system jurisdiction. They enjoy certain protection that will enable them to perform their diplomatic duties without issues. These types of visa applications are submitted through relevant Canadian consulates or embassies. Also, the host country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs often initiates the application on behalf of the diplomat. Furthermore, the official visa is for government officials and representatives of international organizations who don’t have full diplomatic status. The purpose is to enable them to carry out their official government purpose without hindrances. This can be trade delegations,
international conferences, or other activities. The application process for this is similar to that of a diplomatic visa.
However, both temporary visa types are subject to procedures and protocols highlighted by international law and diplomatic conventions. The issuance of this visa depends on reciprocity, promotion of diplomatic relations, and facilitation of official interactions between countries.
● Canada super visa
The purpose of Canada’s super visa is to help families unite. This visa allows grandparents and parents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to reunite and spend time with family members. The validity of this visa can last up to ten years, but each entry to Canada allows you to stay for up to two years.
It is a multiple-entry visa, so holders can travel in and out of the country multiple times throughout its validity period. To apply, the Canadian citizen or permanent resident must write a letter of invitation inviting the family member to come over. Then, the parent or grandparent will apply for a super visa at a Canada visa office in their home country.
In addition, the applicant must provide proof of valid medical insurance for at least one year. The host must also prove that they can financially support their visitors during their stay in Canada.
● Canada business visa
Canada has different business visa categories that you may apply for, provided that it applies to you. This visa is for individuals visiting Canada for business-related purposes, like conferences, trade shows, meetings, or exploring investment opportunities. One is the business visitor visa which allows individuals to visit Canada for short business trips without entering the labor market.
This enables them to attend trade shows, meetings, conferences, or negotiate contracts. The validity status of this business visa type is six months, and you can apply for a temporary resident visa for this purpose. Another type is the intra-company transfer which allows multinational companies to transfer their employees to a Canadian branch, affiliate, or subsidiary.
The validity depends on the specific intra-company transfer category. The inventor and entrepreneur program is another business visa for individuals who want to make a significant investment, establish or operate businesses, or create jobs in Canada. Other business visa types include start-up visa programs, global skills strategy, and trade agreements and professionals.
● Intending organ donor visa
You can also apply for a Canada temporary visa to donate an organ to an individual in Canada. However, you must undergo a regular immigration and visa process to enter the country. This will also include a medical procedure that will check whether you’re medically fit for the procedure.
There is no specific “intending organ donor visa” option in Canada, so instead, you’ll apply for a tourist visa, medical visa, or temporary resident visa. The medical practitioners and transplant centers involved in the procedure will play an important part in facilitating and coordinating the application process. However, this can be complex as it involves serious medical, legal, and ethical considerations.
● Birth tourism visa
Many individuals often want to travel to Canada to give birth, automatically making their child a Canadian citizen. There is no specific birth tourism visa, so if you want to visit Canada to give birth, you’ll apply for a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
However, this isn’t so simple. First, you must familiarize yourself with Canada’s healthcare systems and policies. You must also arrange for proper medical care and coverage during your stay, which includes prenatal care and hospital expenses. Also, you’ll go through serious scrutiny as the immigration authorities will examine the intent and legitimacy of your visit.
If it’s for the sole purpose of acquiring citizenship for your child, you may experience extra scrutiny. In addition, providing false information during your visa application can result in denial, removal from the country, and future bans.
● Canada temporary work visa
Canada temporary work visa is the work permit foreigners get that allows them to work in the country for a period. It is granted for a particular job, duration, and employer and doesn’t provide permanent residency. The different work permit types are open work permits and employer-specific work permits.
The open work permit enables you to work for any employer in the country except those who are not eligible or offer jobs in specific sectors. On the other hand, the employer-specific work permit is tied to an employer and job. That is, you can only work for the employer named on the permit.
You’re eligible for any permits if you get a job offer from a Canadian employer. Also, you need a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) unless exempted. Some work permits may have other eligibility criteria and requirements to be met. The application process may require your employer to apply for an LMIA or that you apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
You may have to undergo biometrics and medical exams based on your country of residence and the type of work you’ll do in Canada. Your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children might be eligible for work or study permits when your visa is approved.
Your work permit can last based on the employer, job, and other factors. Often, you can extend your work visa if you intend to continue working in Canada.
● Working holiday visa
Canada offers an International Experience Canada (IEC) program under which the working holiday visa falls. This visa allows young people from some countries to travel to and work in Canada for a specific period. To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a country with a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada. Note that eligibility criteria and quotas for each country may vary.
Also, to qualify for this visa, you must be between 18 to 30 or 35 years, depending on the country at the time of application. You should apply through the IEC program online. The visa can last up to one or two years, depending on the agreement with the individual’s country.
You can work for any employer with this visa and switch jobs. In addition, you may be eligible for a visa extension under some conditions. You must also have sufficient funds and health insurance coverage to support yourself throughout your stay.
● Temporary residence permit
The temporary resident permit (TRP) is a document that allows inadmissible individuals to enter Canada for a specific purpose or period. The inadmissible reasons could be medical issues, criminal convictions, or other factors preventing them from entering the country.
To be eligible, you must prove that your need to enter the country outweighs the associated concerns or risks. However, the decision to grant TRP depends on Canadian immigration authorities. Sometimes, you might have to undergo a medical examination or apply for criminal rehabilitation to be considered.
If granted, you may be restricted from participating in some activities in the country. Also, while you may have a multiple-entry visa, this cannot provide permanent residency or a pathway to citizenship.
Conclusion
Your intent and purpose for visiting Canada will help you determine which Canada temporary visas to apply for. Checking your desired visa type eligibility is also important to ensure a smooth application and enable approval. Keep in mind that immigration policies change and can be updated anytime, so ensure to confirm important information from the government of Canada’s official website or speak to a Canadian consulate or embassy.
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