If you are a foreign national who is currently in Canada on a visiting visa and have gotten an alluring job offer, you'll be pleased to know that you can change your visitor visa into a Canadian work permit without having to leave the country.

This Covid-era temporary public policy, which was supposed to conclude on February 28, 2023, was prolonged by an extra two years, to February 28, 2025. The extension is a response to the labour shortages that many Canadian firms have been facing during this period of economic expansion.

Eligibility Criteria

You must fulfil the following requirements in order to be eligible for the visiting visa to work permit conversion:

• When you submit an application for a work permit, your visitor status must still be active in Canada.
• A job offer that is accompanied by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or one that is LMIA-exempt is required.
• You must submit your application for an employer-specific work permit before February 28, 2025. Applications submitted after this window will be ineligible.
• Make sure you satisfy all other usual admission requirements, including background checks and medical exams.
  
  

How to Apply

Changing your visitor visa into a Canadian work permit entails the following steps:

Secure a Job Offer

Finding a Canadian employer willing to offer you a job and sponsor your Work Permit Application is the first step. Depending on the specifics of the employment offer, the employer might need to obtain an LMIA.

Check Eligibility 

Before submitting the application, be sure you meet all the conditions for the type of work visa you're requesting.

Fill out the Application Form 

Collect all the required paperwork, then carefully fill out the work permit application. Through the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you can submit the application online.

Submit the Application 

After it is complete, submit it along with all the necessary supporting materials, such as the LMIA and the employment offer letter, if necessary.

Wait for Processing 

Depending on the type of permission and your country of residence, the processing period for work permit applications varies. Check the IRCC website for an expected processing time estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Can I work while my application for a work permit is being processed?

If you are eligible under the policy and had a valid work permit during the previous 12 months, you might be allowed to ask for temporary work authorization so that you can begin working for your new company before your work permit application is approved.

Can I use this policy to apply for permanent residency?

No, the programme does not result in permanent residency; rather, it is intended to transform a visitor visa into an employment-specific work permit.