Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some are only valid for one year.  The expiry date is printed on the card.  When your PR card expires, you can’t use it as a travel document.  If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card.  You need to be in Canada to renew a PR card.  

You should keep your valid PR card until you receive your new one. If you must travel during this period, you may continue to use your valid PR card for re-entry to Canada.

Once you receive your new PR card, you should destroy the old one.

The PR card is also a travel document.  You should generally wait until you have received your PR card before traveling.  

If you must travel, contact the IRCC call center at 1-888-242-2100 for information on travel and documentation requirements.

PR cards have limited space for names. If your surname is longer than 20 characters, or if your given names (first and middle) are longer than 15 characters, your name will be shortened. This is not a mistake. This is correct.

If, however, your name has been misspelled, you should contact IRCC to reissue your PR card.

If you are a new Permanent Resident, IRCC will mail your PR card once you arrive in Canada. 

If you did not provide a Canadian mailing address when you became a Permanent Resident, you must send Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada your address through the IRCC’s online portal within one hundred eighty days of you becoming a Permanent Resident.  If you do not inform IRCC, they will cancel your PR card. You will have to apply for a new one and pay new processing fees.

If you do not receive your PR card within six weeks of giving IRCC your Canadian address, you should inform IRCC.

If you are an existing Permanent Resident, you will also receive your renewed PR card by mail. However, it is possible that you may be asked to pick up your PR card at an IRCC office. If you are randomly chosen, IRCC will contact you to schedule an appointment. You may reschedule your appointment if needed. However, you must pick up your PR card within one hundred eighty days, otherwise, you may need to re-apply.

Generally, it takes about 45 business days to process PR cards for new Permanent Residents once IRCC receives a complete application package from individuals who have fulfilled their residency requirements.  

When your permanent resident (PR) card expires, you still have your PR status and can stay in Canada. You may need a valid PR Card to access services in your Province.

If your card is lost or expired when you're outside Canada, you still keep your Permanent Resident (PR) status.  You can not apply to renew or replace your PR card. 

If you're outside Canada and don't have a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada.  You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada.

If your card is lost or expired when you're outside Canada, you still keep your Permanent Resident (PR) status.  You can not apply to renew or replace your PR card. 

If you're outside Canada and don't have a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada.  You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada.

If your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is expired or will expire in less than six months, you can apply for a new PR card.  The new card will have a new expiration date.  

 To be eligible for a PR card, you need to:

●      be a Permanent Resident

●      be physically present in Canada

●      not have been asked by the Government of Canada to leave the country

To keep your Permanent Resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least seven hundred thirty days during the last five years. These seven hundred thirty days don't need to be continuous.  Some of your time abroad may count towards the seven hundred thirty days

If you are a Permanent Resident traveling outside of Canada, you need a valid PR Card to return to Canada by plane, train, bus, or boat. Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some mayonly valid for one year.

The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is an identification and travel document for Permanent Residents of Canada.  It is one of the methods by which Canadian Permanent Residents can prove their status.  A Permanent Resident (PR) Card and the Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) are the only documents that allow Permanent Residents to return to Canada by commercial carriers.

Permanent residency in Canada is an immigration status granting someone, who is not a Canadian Citizen, the right to live and work in Canada.

To become a Permanent Resident a foreign national must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), under one of their several immigration programs.

A Permanent Resident holds many of the same rights and responsibilities as a Canadian citizen, including the right to live, work (subject to some restrictions), and study in any Province or Territory of Canada.  Permanent Residents access most of the social benefits Canadian citizens receive, including the Canada Pension Plan and receiving health coverage by their Province or Territory's universal health care system.  All Permanent Residents may avail themselves of the rights, freedoms, and protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, other than those exclusively granted to citizens.

Permanent Residents may apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for a certain amount of time. Currently, a person must have been living in Canada as a Permanent Resident for three years (1095 days) out of the five years preceding their application. 

Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some are only valid for one year.  The expiry date is printed on the card.  When your PR card expires, you can’t use it as a travel document.  If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card.  You need to be in Canada to renew a PR card.

You should keep your valid PR card until you receive your new one. If you must travel during this period, you may continue to use your valid PR card for re-entry to Canada.

Once you receive your new PR card, you should destroy the old one.

The PR card is also a travel document.  You should generally wait until you have received your PR card before traveling.

If you must travel, contact the IRCC call center at 1-888-242-2100 for information on travel and documentation requirements.

PR cards have limited space for names. If your surname is longer than 20 characters, or if your given names (first and middle) are longer than 15 characters, your name will be shortened. This is not a mistake. This is correct.

If, however, your name has been misspelled, you should contact IRCC to reissue your PR card.

If you are a new Permanent Resident, IRCC will mail your PR card once you arrive in Canada.

If you did not provide a Canadian mailing address when you became a Permanent Resident, you must send Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada your address through the IRCC’s online portal within one hundred eighty days of you becoming a Permanent Resident.  If you do not inform, IRCC, they will cancel your PR card. You will have to apply for a new one and pay new processing fees.

If you do not receive your PR card within six weeks of giving IRCC your Canadian address, you should inform IRCC.

If you are an existing Permanent Resident you will also receive your renewed PR card by mail. However, it is possible that you may be asked to pick up your PR card at an IRCC office. If you are randomly chosen, IRCC will contact you to schedule an appointment. You may reschedule your appointment if needed. However, you must pick up your PR card within one hundred eighty days, otherwise, you may need to re-apply.

Generally, it takes about 45 business days to process PR cards for new Permanent Residents once IRCC receives a complete application package from individuals who have fulfilled their residency requirements.  

Applications to renew PR Cards generally take One hundred four days. You can find up-to-date application processing times on the IRCC website.

When your permanent resident (PR) card expires, you still have your PR status and can stay in Canada. You may need a valid PR Card to access services in your Province.

If your card is lost or expired when you're outside Canada, you still keep your Permanent Resident (PR) status.  You can not apply to renew or replace your PR card.

If you're outside Canada and don't have a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada.  You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada.

If your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is expired or will expire in less than six months, you can apply for a new PR card.  The new card will have a new expiration date.

To be eligible for a PR card, you need to:

• be a Permanent Resident
• be physically present in Canada
• not have been asked by the Government of Canada to leave the country

To keep your Permanent Resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least seven hundred thirty days during the last five years. These seven hundred thirty days don't need to be continuous.  Some of your time abroad may count towards the seven hundred thirty days.

If you are a Permanent Resident traveling outside of Canada, you need a valid PR Card to return to Canada by plane, train, bus, or boat. Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some are only valid for one year.

The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is an identification and travel document for Permanent Residents of Canada.  It is one of the methods by which Canadian Permanent Residents can prove their status.  A Permanent Resident (PR) Card and the Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) are the only documents that allow Permanent Residents to return to Canada by commercial carriers.

Permanent residency in Canada is an immigration status granting someone, who is not a Canadian Citizen, the right to live and work in Canada.

To become a Permanent Resident a foreign national must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), under one of their several immigration programs.

A Permanent Resident holds many of the same rights and responsibilities as a Canadian citizen, including the right to live, work (subject to some restrictions), and study in any Province or Territory of Canada.  Permanent Residents access most of the social benefits Canadian citizens receive, including the Canada Pension Plan and receiving health coverage by their Province or Territory's universal health care system.  All Permanent Residents may avail themselves of the rights, freedoms, and protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, other than those exclusively granted to citizens.

Permanent Residents may apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for a certain amount of time. Currently, a person must have been living in Canada as a Permanent Resident for three years (1095 days) out of the five years preceding their application.

Persons authorized to certify copies include the following:

• a commissioner of oaths
• a notary public
• a justice of the peace
• Outside Canada:
• a judge
• a magistrate
• a lawyer
• a notary public
• an officer of a court of justice
• a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the person is living

Family members may not certify copies of your documents.

To have a photocopy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare the original document to the photocopy and must print the following on the photocopy:

• “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”,
• the name of the original document,
• the date of the certification,
• his or her name,
• his or her official position or title, and
• his or her signature.

Under Canadian law, you can be both a Canadian citizen and a citizen of another country.  Canadian citizens don’t lose their Canadian citizenship by living outside of Canada or becoming a citizen of another country.  However, some countries will let you keep their citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen.

No, marriage to a Canadian citizen does not automatically give you citizenship.  You must first apply for and receive permanent resident status.  Then you must apply for Canadian citizenship and meet the same requirements as any other person seeking Canadian citizenship.

On February 1, 2012, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada introduced a new citizenship certificate – a letter-sized document bearing no photograph.  Like the previous plastic wallet-sized citizenship certificate (a card with a photograph), the new citizenship certificate is a legal document that will be used to determine Canadian citizenship status.  It is not a travel or identity document.

Citizenship certificates issued before February 1, 2012, remain valid.  This means that any Canadian who currently holds a citizenship certificate does not need to apply for a replacement.

Beginning January 1, 2007, expiry dates were included on the citizenship certificates of people born outside Canada on February 15, 1977, or after, to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent.  This was to serve as a reminder to these people that they were required to take steps before their 28th birthday in order to retain their citizenship.  On April 17, 2009, the Citizenship Act changed and people who had not already turned 28 by that date no longer had to take any steps to retain their citizenship.

If your citizenship certificate has an expiry date of April 17, 2009, or after, you do not have to take any steps to retain your citizenship.  You will still have Canadian citizenship even after the expiry date on your certificate.  However, your certificate is no longer valid, and you should apply for a new citizenship certificate.

A search of citizenship records can confirm if you were or were not issued a citizenship certificate.  Some individuals apply for a Search of Records to obtain a letter from IRCC to use to prove to another government or organization whether or not they were issued a citizenship certificate in the past.  For example, foreign nationals who are applying to renew a foreign passport sometimes need proof that they never received a citizenship certificate.

●      In general, if you were born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen.

●      If you were born in Canada after February 14, 1977, and at the time of your birth, your parents were not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and at least one parent had diplomatic status in Canada, you are not a citizen.

●      If you were born in another country:

• In general, you are a Canadian citizen if you became a citizen through the naturalization process in Canada (i.e., you were a permanent resident [a landed immigrant] before you became a citizen).
• In general, you are a Canadian citizen if you were born outside Canada and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen. This makes you a first generation born outside Canada.
• You may be a Canadian citizen if you were born outside Canada between January 1, 1947, and April 16, 2009, inclusively to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent (you are the second or subsequent generation born outside Canada).
• If you were a British subject residing in Canada when the Canadian Citizenship Act came into force on January 1, 1947, or you were born outside Canada to a British subject parent who might have become a citizen on that date, contact us to find out how to confirm whether or not you are a citizen.

If you think that one of the situations above may apply to you and you are uncertain about your Canadian citizenship status, we encourage you to call us at (613) 619 – 9500 or email us at [email protected].

Citizenship certificates may be issued on an urgent basis to Canadian citizens who demonstrate an urgent need to have their applications processed. Every urgent application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The date of birth on your citizenship certificate should be the same as the one shown on your previous citizenship certificate if you had one, or your birth certificate or foreign passport unless:

●      For former permanent residents of Canada, you have corrected your date of birth on your immigration document.

●      You have legally changed it.

●      You are requesting a different date of birth for your citizenship certificate, and you can provide supporting document.

●      If you have legally changed your date of birth by a provincial/territorial court order, you should provide a copy of the provincial/territorial court order changing your date of birth If you are residing outside Canada and you have legally changed your date of birth by court order outside Canada.

To make corrections on a Canadian citizenship certificate, you should complete the application for a Correction to Citizenship Certificate.

●      If you change your last name because of marriage, you do not need to change your name on your citizenship card or certificate.

●      If you have legally changed your name, you should apply to update your Canadian Citizenship certificate.  To change your name on your current citizenship certificate you should provide linking documents showing the use of both old and new names, and the basis for the change.  You could provide one of the following documents:

o   A copy of a legal change of name document.

o   An adoption order indicating your new name.

o   Marriage certificate or divorce judgment.

o   If residing outside Canada, a legal change of name document issued by the responsible government authority in your country of residence. The document should be in French or English.

●      If you are requesting a name change that is not significant (for example a slight change in spelling), you should provide a copy of one of the following documents that read exactly the same as the name you are requesting:

o   a provincial health card.

o   a provincial driver’s license.

o   an official school record issued by the provincial department responsible for education.

o   if residing outside Canada, birth certificate or foreign passport or foreign national identity card.

To change your name on a Canadian citizenship certificate, you should complete the application for Correction to Citizenship Certificate.

To replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed Canadian citizenship certificate or card you should submit:

●      An application for the replacement of your certificate.

●      A supplementary declaration explaining what happened to your citizenship certificate or card.

●      A copy of your identification cards to confirm your identity.

To replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed Canadian Citizenship Certificate, please click on Lost or Damaged Citizenship Certificate.

To replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed Canadian citizenship certificate or card you should submit:

●      An application for the replacement of your certificate.

●      A supplementary declaration explaining what happened to your citizenship certificate or card.

●      A copy of your identification cards to confirm your identity.

To replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed Canadian Citizenship Certificate, please click on Lost or Damaged Citizenship Certificate.

To apply for Canadian citizenship as an adult through naturalization, you must:

●      be a permanent resident of Canada.

●      be 18 years of age or older.

●      have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the four years before the date you sign your application (time spent residing in Canada prior to acquiring permanent residence maybe counts as a half-day of residence);

●      have adequate knowledge of either English or French.

●      have adequate knowledge of Canada and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

●      not be under a removal order (in other words, the Government of Canada has not ordered you to leave the country).

●      not be a security risk.

●      not be criminally prohibited.

●      attend a ceremony and take the oath of citizenship.

●      To apply for Canadian citizenship as an adult through naturalization, you should complete the Application for a Grant of Canadian Citizenship Certificate and submit the required supporting documents. 

●      To apply for proof of your Canadian citizenship, you should complete the Application for Proof of Canadian Citizenship Certificate and submit required supporting documents.

Any Canadian citizen is entitled to apply for a citizenship certificate. 

Citizens born in Canada may apply for a citizenship certificate if they wish, although provincial or territorial birth certificates are sufficient to prove Canadian citizenship.

If you wish to confirm your status as a Canadian citizen, update your citizenship certificate or replace a lost, destroyed, or stolen certificate, you must apply for it.

The following documents are recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as proof of citizenship.  Some government departments or agencies may not accept all the documents listed below and/or may require additional documents.

●      Provincial or territorial birth certificates (for people born in Canada, unless you were born after February 14, 1977, and at the time of your birth, your parents were neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents).  If you were born in Canada before February 15, 1977, to a parent with diplomatic status, please contact us for more information on eligibility.

●      Citizenship certificates -  people born outside of Canada between February 15, 1977, and April 16, 1981, to a Canadian parent who was also born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent, were required to take steps before their 28th birthday in order to keep their citizenship. This is known as “retention” of one’s citizenship. If they did not take the necessary steps to retain their citizenship, it was automatically lost under the 1977 Citizenship Act.  If you think this may apply to you and you need more information, please contact us.

●      Naturalization certificates (issued before January 1, 1947).

●      Registration of Birth Abroad certificates (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, inclusively).

●      Certificates of retention (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, inclusively).

Obtaining a Canadian citizenship certificate allows you to:

●      Live, study or work in Canada without needing any permits.

●      Obtain a Canadian passport.

●      Obtain a driver’s license, an enhanced driver’s license, or an enhanced identity card

●      Access government services such as health care or a pension or obtain a Social Insurance Number.

●      If you were born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen.  Your Canadian birth certificate is proof of your citizenship.

●      If you are a good standing permanent resident of Canada and meet Canadian citizenship requirements (residency, language skills, passing citizenship test, etc.), you are eligible to become a Canadian citizen.

●      If you were born outside Canada and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, you have a birthright to Canadian citizenship.

●      If your child was born outside Canada, and you or the other parent was a Canadian citizen when the child was born, your child has a birthright to Canadian citizenship.

●      Children born outside Canada and adopted by Canadian citizens are eligible for a grant of Canadian citizenship.

A Canadian citizenship certificate is a document that proves the citizenship of the individual it is assigned too.  It can be issued to a person born in Canada, to a person born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, or to a permanent resident (a landed immigrant) who has been granted Canadian citizenship.

The citizenship certificate is a letter-sized paper document that was introduced in February 2012 and that replaces the former wallet-sized version.  Citizenship certificates issued before February 1, 2012, continue to be valid.  The citizenship certificate contains your family and given names, date of birth, gender, and the effective date of citizenship.  The citizenship certificate is not a travel document.  Any Canadian citizen wanting to travel internationally must obtain a Canadian passport.

The cost of immigrating varies greatly depending on the immigration program and the applicant’s profile.  These fees are the same regardless of your nationality or country of origin.  Usually, there are a few layers of cost, including government processing fees Immigration consultant cost, documentation costs and proof of settlement funds.

Biometrics collection is mandatory for all foreign nationals between the ages of 14 and 79 who seek to obtain a Canadian visitor visa, work, or study permit (except U.S. nationals), refugee or asylum status, permanent residence, a visitor record, or to extend their work or study permit.

You're exempt from giving biometrics if you've already given your biometrics within the last 10 year

In addition to the regular visa application fee, a biometric fee of $85 CAD per person will apply. However, families applying together for a visitor visa will only pay a maximum biometric fee of up to $170 CAD. 

The documents required for an immigration application depends on which program you are applying for.  Documents might include passport, identification documents, educational records, proof of work experience, financial history, etc.  In order to determine the documents, you will require, first you have to determine which immigration program is best for you.

The documents required for an immigration application depends on which program you are applying for.  Documents might include passport, identification documents, educational records, proof of work experience, financial history, etc.  In order to determine the documents, you will require, first you have to determine which immigration program is best for you.

Most pathways to Canadian immigration require that an applicant submits official language test results in either English or French.  A language exam is not a requirement for some Canadian immigration programs such as family sponsorship. 

Express Entry programs allow applicants to apply individually or accompanied by their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children.  Choosing to include, or not include, family members may affect a person’s CRS score slightly.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has initiated the Express Entry system as a gateway to Canada for professionals with post-secondary education or certified Skilled Trades workers. Express Entry is an online government system, which helps potential immigrants to get permanent resident status in Canada through different programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades, and some Provincial Nominee Programs.  Express Entry operates in two-steps: The first is to enter a candidate’s information into the system which evaluates the eligibility of potential candidates and provides a specific score.  As soon as the candidate obtains the same score or higher than the last draw, they become eligible and get an invitation to apply for permanent resident status.  The second step is the process of submitting the application and supporting documents necessary to become a permanent resident of Canada.

The processing times for Canadian immigration programs vary widely from program to program.  Under Canada’s new Express Entry system, some applications for permanent residence are processed in less than 6 months.  Meanwhile, other programs may take two years or more to be completed.  Once you have determined which program is best suited to your immigration needs and profile, you may confirm the average processing times as indicated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Immigration Canada has several programs to attract international talents to Canada.  Maine programs are:

●      General Immigration - Express Entry & Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

●      Family Sponsorship

●      Student Permit

●      Work permit

●      Business Immigration

A Canadian permanent resident is a citizen of another country who has been granted permission to live in Canada as a permanent resident.  Once a person has permanent resident status, they have the right to live and work anywhere in the country.  A Canadian permanent resident enjoys most of the privileges and rights similar to a Canadian Citizen, i.e., work, live and study anywhere in Canada, Protection under Canadian laws and receives social services such as  healthcare coverage.  But permanent residents cannot apply for a Canadian Passport or vote in an election.  After being a permanent resident for a certain amount of time, permanent residents are eligible to apply to become Canadian citizens.

It is possible for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents to join them in Canada.  In order to be eligible, the sponsor must meet certain financial requirements proving that they could financially support their parents or grandparents, if necessary.  This program uses a lottery system to select sponsors, with a target quota of 10,000 new applications annually.

Canada’s immigration system enables most parents to sponsor their dependent children and other legal dependents to become a Canadian permanent residence.  To do this, the parent must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and the person being sponsored must meet Canada’s definition of being a dependent.  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada defines a dependent as any child under 22 years old who does not have a spouse or common-law partner.  As well, it may be possible for a child over the age of 22 to qualify as a dependent if they are unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition.

Under current immigration programs, most Canadian citizens or permanent residents are eligible to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners for Canadian immigration.  When married, a person can generally sponsor their spouse for Canadian permanent residence as long as the marriage is legally recognized in both Canada and the country of marriage. 

For common-law partners, a person can sponsor their partner for Canadian permanent residence as long as the couple meets Canada’s definition of legal common-law partnership. There do exist exceptions to these rules.

Canada has family sponsorship programs enabling Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and parents/grandparents. In order to determine whether or not your family members may join you, first you must determine if you meet family sponsorship program requirements.

The Canadian government has instituted several immigration programs designed to reunite family members.  Under Canada’s immigrations goals for family reunification, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to sponsor spouses, common-law partners, children and other dependents, parents, and grandparents.

Immediately after you finish studying you will be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit which allows you to stay in Canada and work.  With a sufficient combination of Canadian education and Canadian skilled work experience, you can become eligible to apply for permanent residence.  Completing studies in Canada does not guarantee Canadian permanent residence, but it greatly increases your eligibility.

With a Canadian educational credential, you will improve your competitiveness in Canada’s Express Entry immigration system, and you may even be eligible to apply directly to a Provincial Nomination Program.  Once you obtain skilled work experience in Canada, you may also become eligible to apply for permanent residence directly to the Canadian Experience Class program.

An applicant may need a criminal record check to get a study permit.  If required, the applicant should obtain a police certificate from each country or territory where the applicant has lived for six or more months consecutively since the age of 18.  Police certificates are required to determine if applicants have a criminal record.

An applicant may be required to undergo a medical examination based on the discretion of the visa officer.

An international student may be eligible to work while studying in Canada.  A student must have a valid study permit and be enrolled full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).  Study permit holders may be allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full time during scheduled breaks. 

To work “off-campus”, a study permit must be authorized for off-campus work by a visa officer. If you are enrolled in a full-time academic, professional or vocational training program at a designated learning institution, you may be eligible to work “off-campus” without a work permit. However, it should be printed on the study permit that you are authorized to work off-campus.

An international student must stop working the day they no longer meet the eligibility requirements.

Students enrolled in an English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) program are not authorized to work with a study permit.

In general, you should be able to bring your spouse and children when you come to study in Canada.  However, applying with your spouse and children may impact the approval or disapproval of your study permit application.  This depends on a number of factors and should be discussed with one of our professional immigration consultants before applying.

If your family does accompany you, your spouse will be eligible for an open work permit, authorizing them to work full-time in Canada while you are studying.  If you have minor children, they will be eligible to study at a Canadian public school.

To study in Canada for any program which is longer than six months a minor child needs a study permit. 

Minor children don’t need a study permit if:

o   they’re in kindergarten

o   they’re refugees or refugee claimants

o   their parents are refugees or refugee claimants or

o   they’re in pre-school, primary or secondary school, and they’re already in Canada with a parent who has a work or study permit

Biometrics identification (fingerprints and photographs) is mandatory for all foreign nationals between the ages of 14 and 79 who seek to obtain a Canadian visitor visa, work or study permit (except U.S. nationals), refugee or asylum status, permanent residence, a visitor record, or to extend their work or study permit.

You're exempt from giving biometrics if you've already given your biometrics within the last 10 year

In addition to the regular visa application fee, a biometric fee of $85 CAD per person will apply. However, families applying together for a visitor visa will only pay a maximum biometric fee of up to $170 CAD.

Most Canadian Universities and colleges may require proof of language proficiency in order to issue an admission letter.  However, a language test is an admission requirement and not a requirement for a Canadian Study Permit unless applying through the Student Partner Program. However, it is important that you verify with the academic institution you are applying to determine if a language test is required, and the scores needed.

To study in Canada for any program which is longer than six months you need to obtain a study permit.  You can obtain a study permit if you:

o   are enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)

o   prove you have enough money to pay for your:

o   tuition fees

o   living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada

o   return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada

o   obey the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate (if required)

o   are in good health and get a medical exam (if required)

o   prove to an immigration Canada officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires

This is a two steps process:

1. The first step is to get admission from a Designated learning institutions recognized by the government of Canada.  
2. After the letter of acceptance is received, the candidate should apply to a Canadian Visa Office for a study permit.   If the application meets IRCC requirements, the Canadian Visa Office will issue a letter of approval allowing the candidate to travel to Canada. 

The study permits are issued at a Canadian port of entry.  A study permit is generally issued for the duration of the person’s studies.

Most foreign nationals need a study permit to attend a school in Canada.  You can study at any school in Canada without a study permit if:

●      your course or program lasts 6 months or less;

●      your studies aren’t part of a longer program; and

●      you’ll complete all your studies within the time we approved you to stay in Canada (usually 6 months after you enter);

If you’re taking prerequisite courses, you should get a study permit, even if the courses are less than 6 months long.  If you don’t, you’ll have to apply for a study permit before you can start your full study program. 

Yes, it is possible to get married in Canada as a visitor or on a temporary resident visa.  You do not need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Yes, it is possible.  According to IRCC, all visitors in Canada can apply for an employer-specific work permit under the public policy.  However, only those who have held a work permit in the last 12 months may request an interim authorization to work.

To change the status of your visitor visa to a work permit, you should:

1. Obtain a job offer’
2. Get a LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) Approved Offer Letter or have a job offer from an LMIA exempt position;
3. Apply for your Work Permit.

Changing your immigration status from Visitor to Permanent Resident is not possible except in very specific cases such as refugee status or spouses and partners.  The Permanent Resident application process is lengthy and has many requirements.

Staying in Canada beyond the required time and without applying for an extension can not only make it difficult for you to get a visa or visit Canada in future but might also lead to an arrest without warrant or a 1-year exclusion order.

However, if you overstay for less than 90 days you may apply to restore your status.

You can apply for an extension at least 30 days before the expiry date.  This application for an extension can be made in Canada.  If you have applied to extend your stay while in Canada and the visa expires while you are waiting for a decision, you are said to have an implied status.

While valid, a multiple entry visa will let you travel to Canada for six months at a time as many times as you want

There is no statutory limit on the number of times a person can extend visitor status.  Instead, the officer will consider the history of the applicant, the purpose of the visit, and whether there is a valid reason to continue visiting.

✔   Make sure visa application is completed correctly

✔   Submit all required supporting documents

✔   Demonstrate your intent to leave Canada.

✔   Provide sufficient proof of funds.

✔   Get Police Clearance

Generally, when you apply for a Canadian tourist visa, you will not be required to attend an interview.  Applicants or a representative of the applicant can submit all the required documents to the embassy/consulate when applying for a visa.

If you are paying for your own trip, you must submit proof of sufficient funds to cover your travel and expenses in Canada.  You can do so by providing the following: bank statements and pay slips for the last 6 months.

You must be able to prove to an immigration officer that you can legally access the money to use in Canada when you arrive.  For proof, you must provide an official letters from any banks or financial institutions where you are keeping money which confirms your ability to do so.

The amount of bank balance you should have for applying for a Canadian visitor visa depends on the duration of your stay in Canada.   If it is a 15-day trip, you must have the equivalent of  $ 5,000-10,000 CAD in your bank.

You need to attach photocopies of identity and civil status documents with your Canada visa application.  This includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce/annulment certificates.  In some cases, you may be required to provide National IDs or family or household registries.

You must include this information about the person you are inviting:

✔   complete name,

✔   date of birth,

✔   address and telephone number,

✔   your relationship to the person,

✔   the purpose of the trip,

✔   how long the person plans to stay in Canada,

✔   where the person will stay, and how he or she will pay for things, and.

An Invitation Letter is not mandatory when applying for a visitor's visa.  In some cases, however, the government of Canada will request that you provide them with an Invitation Letter when you submit your application.

If you do not have an invitation letter, you should articulate your reason to visit Canada clearly.

Unfortunately, there is no formal appeal process or rights to appeal within IRCC.  The only option would be to re-apply or judicial review.

A judicial review can be filed if due process was not followed by IRCC; that is, the visa office did not assess the application properly despite being presented a detailed and thorough application which highlighted all the necessary facts.  In order to be granted leave via judicial review, one must prove that IRCC did not perform their job properly.  Judicial Review will not be successful if the original application did not preset a strong case for approval.

However, you can always re-apply and take into consideration the reasons for refusal.  If you are able to address them and put together a stronger case, you will be able to increase your chances for success.

An application may be denied because the consular officer does not have all of the information required to determine if the applicant is eligible to receive a visa or because the applicant does not qualify for the visa category for which they applied.  There can be many reasons for a visitor visa refusal including but not limited to:

✔   The unclear reason for the visit;

✔   Insufficient personal assets in the home country;

✔   Vague or inadequate documentation supporting the case;

✔   The unstable employment situation of the applicant;

✔   The disconnect between the length of stay and the fund’s availability;

✔   If strong family ties are present, an individual application may be refused;

✔   Lack of travel history;

✔   Lack of supporting documentation of host (Canadian permanent resident or citizen) in Canada;

✔   Any previous overstaying history in Canada;

✔   Lack of legal status in the home country;

✔   Study for more than six months.  To study more than six months you need a study permit.

✔   Employment

✔   Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience.

When you arrive at the port of entry in Canada, border services officer will make sure you meet the requirements to enter Canada.  The officer will authorize your stay by stamping your passport and/or issuing another document.  If there is no stamp, handwritten date or document in your passport, your temporary resident status will expire six months from the day you arrived in Canada.

There is a wide range of processing time, and it will be different according to the country from which you are applying from. Check the average of processing time by country

Once you submit your application at the Visa Application Centre, the staff will perform a completeness check based on IRCC requirements and will then submit your application on your behalf on the following business day.

Once a decision on your application has been made the Visa Office will then securely return your passport to the Visa Application Centre who will inform you, via your preferred method of communication, if you are to be granted a visa. An update will also be provided on the Online Application Tracking System when your application is ready to be returned. Your application documentswill then be returned to you, as per your preferred method of return.

You can appoint a licensed immigration consultants to submit your application on your behalf.  To do so, you should complete the Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] form authorizing the representative to submit or collect the application pack/decision envelope on your behalf.

You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years. 

Yes, if you apply for a Canadian visitor visa, you need to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

After you submit your visitor visa application, you will receive an email to book an appointment for your biometric with a Visa Application Centres (VACs).  Once you give your biometrics, IRCC use them to assess your TRV application.

The Government of Canada Fee can be paid online via the IRCC website using a credit card or debit card from a Canadian Bank using INTERAC® Online and registered for online banking through your bank website.

Here are the main fees for obtaining a Canada Visitor Visa:

●      Application fee of CAD$ 100 per person.

●      Biometrics fees of CAD$ 85 per person or 170 per family (if required).

All dependents, such as your spouse and minor children, that will accompany you in your travel must have their own application and should pay separate fees. You can submit all applications together so that you are processed as a family.

Anyone who visits Canada from a temporary resident visa-required country must initially apply from outside the country.  Your friend or family member must apply to the Canadian visa office responsible for their country or region.  A visa officer will review the application and decide whether to issue a visa.

You may provide your family member or friend a letter of invitation in support of their application.  It should explain how you will help the person.  For example, you may offer to pay for plane tickets or accommodation.  A letter of invitation can help, but it does not guarantee the person will get a visa.

The process for acquiring a Canada Visitor Visa can be made online.  It involves filling several forms and the complexity might depend on additional requirements made by Canadian Immigration offices.  In summary, there are several steps for applying for a Canada Visitor Visa:

●      Check your eligibility for the Canada Visitor Visa;

●      Collect and submit the documents required;

●      Submit the Canada Visitor Visa Application form;

●      Provide your biometric;

●      Wait for processing and provide any required additional information;

●      Send your passport for stamping.

Please be careful when consulting information and sending documents.  Make sure to only follow instructions provided by a licensed immigration consultants or the official channels of the Canadian government.

There are a few requirements to qualify for a Canada Visitor Visa.  Some of them are:

●      A valid passport.

●      Prove to an immigration officer that you have ties with your home country, which might be a job, a property, financial assets, or family.

●      Evidence that you will return to your home country.

●      Financial documents. Proof of financial means to cover the expenses for the duration of your visit e.g., Bank statements showing the past 3-month transaction history and the average balance for the past 6 months.  Any additional relevant documentation (employment letter, pay slips, proof of pension, business registration, investments, etc.).

●      Letters supporting your reason of visiting Canada.

●      Details of who you are staying with and where.

●      Air tickets.

 If you need a visa to visit Canada, then you will also need a Transit Visa to travel through Canada. This is true even if you are in Canada for less than 48 hours.  There is no fee for a Transit Visa.

You may not need a transit visa if you are travelling to or from the United States.  The Transit Without Visa program (TWOV) and the China Transit Program (CTP) allow certain foreign nationals to travel through Canada on their way to and from the United States without a Canadian transit visa, if you meet these requirements:

⮚     For TWOV: you are from Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan or Philippines; OR

⮚     For CTP: you are from China and leave from one of the following cities before arriving in Canada:

●      Beijing

●      Guangzhou

●      Shanghai

●      Hong Kong

●      Manila

●      Taipei

you must also:

✔   hold a valid U.S. visa.

✔   travel on an approved airline; and

✔   transit through a participating Canadian international airport.

You must show that your income meets the required level, depending on the number of people in your family.  To determine the correct level of income required, add your parents or grandparents (whatever number of visitors you will host) into the total number of family members currently dependent on you.

More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add $6,827.

A Super Visa Canada allows parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents to stay in Canada for more than the standard six months per trip.  The visa is also informally known as a parent and grandparent visa.

For passports issued by a visa-required Countries, the passport holder should apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), which is commonly known as a visitor visa. 

There are  54 countries that are allowed travel to Canada without applying for a TRV; these are referred to as Visa-Free or Visa-Exempt countries.  Citizens from these countries can travel to Canada for periods of up to 6 months by obtaining Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online before travelling to Canada.

There are three types of Canadian TRV.  All TRVs are valid for a fixed period and cannot be used after they expire.

1. Single Entry Visas: A single-entry visa allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for a single time.  Once the visa holder leaves Canada, excluding travel to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon*, they will need to obtain a new visa to re-enter Canada.

*However, if your visa is still valid and you only travelling to the United States (including its Territories and Possessions) or St. Pierre and Miquelon, without a layover at any other country, you do not need a new Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) to return to Canada.  If your visa expires prior to returning to Canada from this area, and you do not have any other valid status such as a valid visitor record, work permit, study permit, or temporary resident permit, you will need to obtain a new temporary resident visa.

2. Multiple Entry Visas: Multi-entry visa allows a visa holder to travel to Canada for six months at a time as many times as the traveler wants.  Multi-entry visa is valid for up to 10 years or one month before the visa holder passport expires, whichever is shorter.  The visa holder must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on the visa.
3. Supper Visa: The super visa is a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years.  The key difference is that the super visa allows an individual to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time.

A visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa) is an official document citizen from visa-required countries need to get to travel to and enter Canada as a visitor for up to 6 months. Canada’s visa policy requires that any foreign national wishing to enter the country obtain a temporary resident visa from one of the Canadian diplomatic missions unless they hold a passport issued by one of the 54 eligible visa-exempt countries and territories or proof of permanent residence in the United States.

After submitting your application and all required documents for a Temporary Resident Visa, if your application is successful, the Canada Visitor Visa will be inserted into your passport.

A PRTD is valid for one single entry.  You should apply for a new PR card when you resume residence in Canada.

If you are experiencing an extremely urgent situation, you may request urgent processing of your PRTD application.  You must prove the urgency with supporting documents when you submit your application.  If you don't qualify for urgent processing, your PRTD application will be issued according to the regular timeline.

six months

No, you can still travel if your new PR card isn't ready before you leave Canada. You will need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada by commercial vehicle.  You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada.

To apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), you must submit a complete application package including all required forms and country or territory-specific supporting documents.

The easiest and quickest way to apply for a PRTD is to use online services.  To begin, sign up at https://canadacitizenshipandpr.ca/, and under the services you should select the “Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)” option.

PRTD processing time is between two to eight weeks.  However, the actual processing time could be longer depending on the country you are applying from.  Submitting a PRTD application at least two to three months before travelling to Canada is advised.

If you're outside Canada and don't have a valid PR card, you need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada.  You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada.  If you try to return to Canada without a valid PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to take your flight, train, bus, or boat to Canada.

The permanent resident travel document (PRTD) is a temporary official document proving a person’s status as a permanent resident in Canada.  It proves to transportation companies that a PRTD holder can travel to Canada as a permanent resident if she/he doesn’t have a valid PR card.