May 25th, 2024 at 05:02 am

Canada Work Permit 2024: Convert Visitor Visa to Work Visa Easily | Canada Immigration

Canada is a land of opportunity, drawing tourists from all over the world with its dynamic cities, breathtaking scenery, and rich cultural diversity. Enthralled by the opportunities, a lot of tourists try to extend their stay by switching from a guest visa to a work permit.

This blog offers a thorough rundown of the procedure, detailing the necessary procedures and important factors to take into account. Whether you’re lured to the Great White North by the possibility of a better career or the opportunity to fully experience Canadian life, knowing how to handle this shift can lead to new chances.

Even though it can be difficult, it is possible to convert a visitor visa into a work permit in Canada with the right information and preparation. Normally, tourists are not permitted to apply for work permits from within Canada; however, until February 28, 2025, a temporary public policy will allow visitors to apply for work permits.

This page provides a thorough overview, including the cost of a labor market impact assessment (LMIA), processing times, and a list of required papers.

Visitor Visa

You can enter Canada briefly with this visa, often for a maximum of six months, for purposes such as family visits, business trips, or vacations. After six months, you can stay longer by requesting an extension known as a “Visitor Record.”

Work Permit

You can work in Canada legally with this permit. Open work permits allow you to work for any employer in Canada, including those connected to a specific job and company. An employer-specific or closed work permit is typically needed to convert a visitor visa immediately into a work permit.

Application Requirements

The following prerequisites must be met to convert your visitor visa into a work permit.

• Get a valid employment offer from a Canadian company that can prove, through a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), that hiring you won’t have a detrimental effect on the labor market in Canada. Caregivers are among the professions for which an LMIA is not required. In these situations, a job offer suffices.
• Legal visitor status: You are required to retain your legal visitor status in Canada for the entire procedure, pending the issuance of a work visa.

Visitor Visa to Work Permit Stepwise Guide

• Obtain a job offer by locating a hiring Canadian company. Start by making use of networking, online job boards, and recruitment agencies. Verify that the job offer you receive is comprehensive and clearly outlines the terms of employment.
• Evaluation of the Labor Market’s Impact. acquired by the employer: Most companies demand a copy of the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) Labor Market Impact Assessment document. This means proving that there aren’t enough Canadian applicants for a position, even after it has been sufficiently advertised in Canada.

Cost of LMIA

The employer filing the work permit application must pay a non-refundable procedure charge of 1,000 Canadian dollars for each position. After receiving the LMIA and, if the post is exempt from it, a job offer, you can next apply for a work visa. Visitor eligibility can apply online through the safe IRCC account.

Documents Needed

• A letter of employment offer outlining the position’s details and terms
• Positive Assessment of the Labor Market’s Impact. documentation (not required for positions excluded from the Labor Market Impact Assessment)
• Recording the present state of affairs: paperwork enhancing your status as a visitor in Canada
• Complete the required forms. IMM 5,710 application form, and if applicable, representatives from IMM 5476 usage
• Passport: Currently valid passports must contain one blank page and six compliant photographs.
• Passport-sized photos
• Bank accounts that attest to your ability to support yourself serve as proof of finances.
• If required, a medical examination based on your role or area of origin
• 85 Canadian dollars for biometrics, if necessary, and 155 Canadian dollars for the work permit application processing expenses

What is the Interim Work Authorization?

It will take you around 135 days to obtain a work visa in Canada if you apply while in visitor status. Therefore, until your work visa is approved, you are unable to work. If you would like to start working sooner, you can ask the IRCC for an interim authorization to work. If a Canadian business extends a job offer to you, you can start working as soon as you obtain temporary work authorization from the IRCC.

You must submit the IRCC web form to request temporary authorization to work. Wait to begin work until the IRCC contacts you. The processing time for a work authorization confirmation is up to thirty working days or six weeks.

What is the Processing Time for Work Permits Inside Canada?

The average processing time for work permits issued within Canada is ninety-two days.

If you would like to work in Canada and pursue professional prospects while spending more time there, you can switch from a guest visa to a work permit. Through adherence to the basic procedures and fulfillment of the required prerequisites, applicants can effectively manage the application process.

To make sure that applicants are aware and ready for this journey, our blog has offered a comprehensive road map. Remember that every step you take will get you one step closer to achieving your Canadian dream, being a part of Canada’s dynamic workforce, and enhancing your own experiences both personally and professionally.