Are you in Canada for visitation only? Did you like what you saw in Canada? You can extend your stay in the country after your visitor visa expires. Many people have stayed back in the country to work or do other things after their first visit to the country. A Canada visitor visa allows you to stay in the country for 6 months while you fulfil your purposes like tourism, visiting places, etc. But with a Canadian work visa, you can work and earn in the country and stay longer than 6 months while you also get to travel around the country and do other things.
Canada work visa and Canada visitor visa
A Canadian work visa, the most common type of which is a temporary work visa, allows a foreign national to work in the country for a certain amount of time. A Canadian work visa is also known as a Canadian work permit. Both words can be used interchangeably. The types of work permits in Canada are:
- The Open work permit: This permit allows foreign individuals to work for any Canadian employer in the country.
- The Employer–specific work permit: This type of work permit restricts you to work for a specific employer in a particular location.
- International mobility program: This type of work permit allows you to work in Canada to gain international work experience.
- Post-Graduation work permit (PGWP): This is for International students who have just graduated from any Canadian institution to work in the country after studying.
- Opportunities in the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program
Eligibility Requirements for a Canadian Work Visa
General requirements
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old to work in the country.
- Intention to leave: You must show that you are intending to leave the country when your work visa expires.
- Financial capability: Must be able to prove that you are financially capable of supporting yourself and your family.
- Documents required: These include: valid ID passport, job acceptance letter, cover letter and resume, two current passports, education credentials (high school diploma, bachelor’s degree), and proof of financial capability like bank statements, bills receipt, etc.
- Medical exam result: You must be able to show that you are healthy and have no medical ailments that can limit your work performance or put others at risk.
- Job offer: You must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
- Criminal record: You must have zero criminal record from your home country.
A Canadian visitor visa can be referred to as a temporary resident visa (TRV). It allows the holder of the visa to move to Canada for different purposes like business seminars, shows/events, family visit, tourism, etc. A Canadian visitor visa is only for 6 months and not more than that. The types of Canadian visas include:
- A single-entry visa is a type of visitor visa in Canada that permits you to enter the country just once.
- A multiple-entry visa: is a type of visitor visa in Canada which allows you to enter Canada for a couple of times i.e you can enter and leave the country many times during the period of validity.
The V-1 visa in Canada is a new type of visitor which has just been introduced to the Canadian immigration system. This visitor visa allows you to enter, leave, and re-enter the country like every other visa in the country. Complete Guide to Canada Visitor Visa in 2025
Eligibility Requirements for a Canadian Visitor Visa
General requirements
- Valid ID passport: You must have a valid travel document like your ID passport.
- Medical/health results: You must have a good medical exam result that proves that you are healthy.
- Criminal record: You must have a zero criminal record.
- Financial capability: You must be financially capable of taking care of yourself.
- Intent to leave: You must show that you have the intention to leave Canada when your visa expires.
Why People Change Their Visitor Visa to a Canadian Visa
Below are the reasons why people change their visitor visa to a work visa in Canada:
- Job opportunities: people find jobs unexpectedly while in Canada for other purposes aside from working. It may be from family members, or a group of people they associate with while in Canada.
- Career Advancement program: people who came to visit the country for business seminars or events may be awarded a free career advancement program to further their professional development.
- Stable economy: Canada is one of the most developed countries in the world with the best economy.
- High-paying salary: Canada jobs pay very well and offer their employees compensation benefits other than a high salary. Examples are: recognition awards, overtime salary, and health insurance. Visitors will wish to stay in Canada and work after knowing all these benefits.
- Family ties: Visitors who have members in the country will want to stay in the country permanently and be with their family members. They usually take on their visitor visa to change it to a work visa and begin working to feed their family members and themselves.
- Affordability of a Quality of life: Canadian government ensures that every foreign individual and citizens can afford to maintain a simple, standard and quality life for themselves and families with their salary structure.
- Route to Permanent Resident: A Canada work visa can surely lead to a permanent resident visa after being to meet with the requirements and criteria within a number of years in Canada.
- Personal Growth: Many Canadian visitors chose to stay in the country for personal growth and development due to the unlimited opportunities and chances in the country. You may also choose to stay in the country when you find a better reason, like landing a better job in Canada.
The Path to Canada work visa from a Canada Visitor visa
It must be known to you that Canada has cancelled the policy where foreign nationals can apply for a work permit/visa while they are in Canada, but you can apply from outside the country. Nevertheless, a Canadian work visa can be achieved easily when you can meet the eligibility criteria and requirements for the work visa, which are:
General requirements
- Age: A Canadian work visa requires that you are at least 18 years old to work in the country.
- Canada job offer: You must have a job offer from a Canadian employer who is willing to offer you a job.
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): Your Canadian employer must be able to prove to the Employment Social Development Canada (ESDC) that no Canadian citizen/permanent resident is available for the job.
- Admissibility requirements: You must fulfil these requirements to be allowed to enter the country, which include medical exam results, criminal records, etc.
Finding Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Canada
The Application Process
Below are the steps to change your visitor visa to a work visa in Canada.
STEP 1: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY
- Ensure that you meet all the basic requirements for the process, i.e, the age requirement and admissibility requirements.
- This also includes your documents, like a valid ID passport, birth certificate, job acceptance letter, etc.
STEP 2: COLLATE YOUR DOCUMENTS
- You will need these documents for your application process:
- Job acceptance letter from your Canadian employer
- Valid ID passport
- Two current passport photographs
- LMIA certificate from your Canadian employer
- Birth certificate, etc.
STEP 3: THE APPLICATION
- If you don’t have an account or a completed profile on the IRCC (Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada) website, you have to create a new account to apply for the work visa. Visit the IRCC website here.
- You have to create not just your profile but also submit all your details and information to make your account fit for application.
- You can now apply for a work visa after a successful profile creation by downloading the application form.
- Ensure to submit only a completed application form online, or if it is a paper application, you will submit the form via mail or at a Canadian embassy in your country.
STEP 4: PAY THE APPLICATION FEES
- You have to pay the fee required to process your application.
STEP 5: THE PROCESSING TIME
- You have to wait for IRCC to process your application and review it in due time.
STEP 6: APPLICATION APPROVAL
- If your application is successful, you will receive a notification for the approval of your application.
- You can now work in Canada under your work permits and not your work visa.
How to Search for a Canadian Job in 2025
Below are the channels/streams you can use to search for a job in Canada: 20 Top Best Jobs in-Demand in Canada in 2025
- Online Job portals: You can use various job platforms to look for suitable jobs for yourself. Examples of these platforms are: Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.
- Job fairs and Networking events: There are usually various job fairs events in Canada where you can easily make important connections and meet quality people who can recommend you for bigger opportunities.
- Company websites: You can choose to search for job opportunities by visiting various company websites like Walmart, Amazon, Microsoft, etc.
- Recruitment Agencies: You can explore different recruitment agencies in Canada who are ready to offer temporary work and connect with big firms in the country. Examples of these agencies are: Techunting LLC etc.
Conclusion
Canada is a land of unlimited opportunities and benefits. Many foreign nationals came into Canada with nothing but left or remained in the country with everything. It is not an exaggeration but the reality. If you are qualified, talented and skilled, you can easily land a better job and receive a larger salary. When you are visiting the country next time or you are visiting now, you can look for job opportunities and start a new life in Canada.