Canadian Visas

Visit Canada with a Canadian Tourist Visa. A Canadian Visitor Visa will allow you to visit Canada for up to 6 months. Canada is very attractive destination for people wishing to temporarily visit, welcoming over 35 million tourists, students, visitors etc. every year.

The Canada Visitor Visa is a popular choice for applicants wishing to visit Canada for a temporary period of up to 6 months.

Visas are available under three different categories:

A single entry Canada Visitor Visa:

This allows you to visit Canada only once (unless travelling to the US or St. Pierre and Miquelon) and is valid for a period of 6 months only. You can apply to extend your Canadian Visitor Visa if needed and will need to make an application for extension at least 30 days before expiry.

A Multiple Entry Canada Visitor Visa:

This allows you to enter and depart Canada on multiple occasions and is valid for up to 6 months, depending on the issuing case officer. You will need to specify how long you will require your Canadian Visitor Visa (not exceeding a six month period) and leave it to the case officer to decide if this is necessary.

A Transit Canada Visitor Visa:

This visa was initially designed for those people entering Canada for a period of 48 hours or less. For example, if your method of transport has to stop in Canada and you are from a country that requires you to have a visa to visit Canada, you will require a Transit Visa.

You are not permitted to work on any of the above Canadian Tourist Visa categories and some applicants may also need to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa in addition to the above if they come from certain countries.

Some basic things to consider before making an application for a Canada Tourist Visa are:

• Health issues (you may be required to undergo a medical examination)
• Funds to secure your stay
• You may need a letter of invitation from a friend of relative currently residing in Canada
• You may require a Temporary Resident Visa

Once you have secured your Visit Visa then you may need to also obtain a Temporary Resident Visa if you come from certain countries.

If you wish to work temporarily in Canada, you can find further information in the Canada Work Visa section.

Province Nominee Program

The Province Nominee Program aims to address skill shortage issues in certain provinces within Canada under a slightly different Canada work visa program.

Under this program an employer can nominate a limited number of candidates for certain skilled positions and make an application to a participating state for sponsorship of the work permit for Canada. The following requirements apply:

• The position must be one that can not be filled by a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
• The position is permanent and full time
• The position is offered to a candidate that has the required qualifications
• The position is offered to a candidate that has the required work experience
• The position meets provincial employment and wage standards

The following states are actively supporting applications under the PN Program.

Alberta
British Colombia
Manitoba
Newfoundland and Labrador
Prince Edward Island
Yukon
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Saskatchewan

All of the above provinces have different requirements to meet in order to be sponsored for a Canada work visa; however the requirements listed above are essential in every case. If you have an employer wishing to nominate you under the PN Program for a work permit in Canada, please contact us to discuss further.

Once you obtain sponsorship from a state under the PN Program you will need to make an application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for your Permanent Resident Visa. Please bear in mind that sponsorship from one of the above provinces does not guarantee the approval of your Permanent Resident visa and the final decision will be made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

In addition to the above you and your family will need to meet the following basic requirements in order to be approved for a Canada Permanent Resident visa:

• Undergo a medical examination
• Evidence that you are of good character
• Abide by Canadian and Provincial laws

If your potential Canadian employer is not currently operating a business in one of the above states, you will not be eligible to apply under the PN Program and may like to consider some alternative options for Maples immigration that may be available to you.

If you have an employer in Canada that wishes to offer you employment on a contract or permanent basis, we can help them and you secure a full Canada work permit for you. This is of course the quickest and most direct route to live and work in Canada; however it is not a Permanent resident visa.

The Canada Skilled Worker Visa enables you to gain Permanent Resident status, in which you are entitled to live and work in Canada without the need of an employment offer for your Canadian Visa.

Employers can still sponsor this application if they wish to increase your points total and speed up processing, however the Canadian Visa will be issued to you and you are able to accept a job and join a new employer without you and that employer needing to go through the work permit process.