Canada is a country of great opportunity, attracting tourists and professionals alike. Many visitors enjoy their stay so much that they want to explore the possibility of working and living here. If you’re in Canada on a visitor’s visa, you might be wondering if it’s possible to change that into a work visa. The answer is yes—but the process involves certain steps and requirements. With the help of Can Entry Immigration, the process becomes clearer and much easier to navigate.
1. What Is a Visitor’s Visa? A visitor’s visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for a short period, usually for tourism, visiting family, or attending business meetings. While on a visitor's visa, you’re not allowed to work or study. To legally work in Canada, you need a work visa, which grants you the right to work in the country either for a specific employer or, in some cases, for any employer.
2. How Can Entry Immigration Helps You? Can Entry Immigration is a leading immigration consultancy specializing in helping individuals navigate complex immigration processes. Whether you need assistance securing a job offer or help with your work visa application, Can Entry Immigration can guide you through every step. With their expertise, you can avoid common mistakes that often lead to delays or rejections.
Our Services Include: Job search assistance: We help you find employers willing to hire foreign workers.
LMIA application support: We assist employers in obtaining the required Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a key document needed for your work permit.
Work permit application guidance: We help you submit your work permit application efficiently, ensuring all documents are in order.
3. What Is a Work Visa? A work visa, also known as a work permit, is a document that allows a foreign national to legally work in Canada. Work permits can be employer-specific or open. Employer-specific work permits limit you to working for a designated employer, while open work permits allow you to work for any employer in Canada.
Can Entry Immigration provides detailed advice on which type of work permit is best suited to your situation and helps ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria.
4. Can You Change from a Visitor’s Visa to a Work Visa? The short answer is yes, but there are specific conditions. While Canada generally does not allow you to apply for a work permit directly from within the country on a visitor’s visa, there are exceptions, and with the help of Can Entry Immigration, you can explore all your options.
The key to this transition lies in securing a valid job offer and ensuring your employer is willing to go through the necessary steps, such as applying for an LMIA if required.
5. Steps to Change from a Visitor’s Visa to a Work Visa with Can Entry Immigration’s Support Step 1: Secure a Valid Job Offer To change your visitor’s visa to a work visa, the first step is securing a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. Can Entry Immigration offers job search services, helping you connect with employers who are open to hiring foreign workers. We guide you through the process of creating a professional resume, searching for jobs, and preparing for interviews.
Step 2: Employer Applies for LMIA (If Required) In most cases, your employer will need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove that no Canadian worker is available for the job. Can Entry Immigration assists employers with the LMIA process, helping ensure the application is submitted correctly and efficiently. If the LMIA is positive, it will support your work visa application.
Exceptions: There are situations where an LMIA is not required, such as if you are eligible under international agreements (like USMCA for U.S. and Mexican citizens) or if you are an intra-company transferee.
Step 3: Apply for a Work Permit After securing a valid job offer and a positive LMIA (if required), you can apply for a work permit. Although most visitors need to leave Canada to submit their work permit application, there are temporary public policies that allow certain individuals to apply for a work permit from within Canada.
Can Entry Immigration ensures your application is submitted with all the required documents, helping reduce the risk of delays or rejections. Our experts will help you with:
Document preparation Application filing Communication with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Step 4: Receive Your Work Permit Once your work permit application is approved, you can start working in Canada! Can Entry Immigration continues to support you after you receive your work permit, offering services related to visa extensions, permanent residency applications, and more.
6. LMIA-Exempt Categories You might not need an LMIA in certain circumstances. Can Entry Immigration can help you determine if you qualify for an LMIA-exempt work permit, which could simplify the process significantly. Some LMIA exemptions include:
International agreements: If you’re from a country that has a free trade agreement with Canada, like the U.S. or Mexico, you may not need an LMIA.
Intra-company transfers: If your company has a branch in Canada, you may qualify for an intra-company transfer without needing an LMIA.
International Experience Canada (IEC): Certain youth exchange programs also allow you to work without an LMIA.
7. COVID-19 Temporary Public Policy During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada introduced a temporary policy that allows certain visitors to apply for work permits without leaving the country. This policy is still in place, though it may be subject to change. Can Entry Immigration stays up-to-date with the latest policy updates and ensures that you can take advantage of any temporary or permanent changes in immigration laws.
8. Why Choose Can Entry Immigration? Immigration processes can be complex, time-consuming, and prone to mistakes. By choosing Can Entry Immigration, you’re working with professionals who have deep knowledge of Canadian immigration policies and are committed to helping you achieve your goals. Here’s how we stand out:
Personalized guidance: Every case is unique, and we offer personalized advice based on your circumstances.
Expertise: Our team is well-versed in Canadian immigration laws and the work visa process, ensuring that you receive accurate and timely information.
Support at every step: From job search assistance to preparing your work permit application, we’re with you throughout the process.-
9. Conclusion Changing from a visitor’s visa to a work visa in Canada is possible but requires careful planning, a valid job offer, and meeting specific immigration requirements. With the professional guidance of Can Entry Immigration, you can navigate this process with ease. From helping you secure a job offer to supporting your work permit application, Can Entry Immigration is your trusted partner in achieving your goal of working in Canada.
Take the first step today and let Can Entry Immigration turn your visit into a life-changing opportunity!
