March 18, 2016

Can you apply for a work permit or study permit while in Canada as a tourist / visitor?

To legally work or study in Canada, generally, you need a permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Your visit visa does not allow you to work or study.  But can you apply for a work permit or study permit while in Canada as a tourist/visitor?

Work or Study While on a Visit Visa

The answer is YES. That is of course if you still have a legal status in Canada and met the requirements.

Study Permit application from within Canada
If you are currently in Canada and any of the situations below describe you, then can apply for a study permit from inside Canada:
  • you have a valid study or work permit
  • your spouse, common-law partner or parent has a valid study or work permit
  • you’re a minor child in primary or secondary school
  • you’re an exchange student or visiting student
  • you completed a short-term course or study program required to be accepted at a DLI
  • you or your spouse, common-law partner or dependent child has a temporary resident permit (TRP) valid for 6 months or more
  • you’re being sponsored to immigrate and you already applied for permanent residence (if you’re eligible)
  • you or your spouse, common-law partner or dependent child are subject to an unenforceable removal order
  • you’re the spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of:
  • an athlete on a team based in Canada
  • a member of the media
  • a member of the clergy
  • military personnel on duty in Canada or
  • an accredited foreign representative

Work Permit application from within Canada
You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if:
  • you have a valid study or work permit
  • your spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study or work permit
  • you’ve graduated from a program at a:
  • Canadian university
  • community college
  • CÉGEP
  • publicly funded trade/technical school, or
  • other eligible school
  • you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more
  • you’re waiting on a decision on an application for permanent residence from inside Canada
  • you made or will make a claim for refugee protection
  • you’ve been recognized as a convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
  • you’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but you need a work permit to work in a different job, or
  • you’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under NAFTA
How to apply for Study or Work Permit? Information how to apply is available for free at www.canada.ca

But if you need help, you can definitely bank on Canadian Immigration Consultancy's more than 25 years of experience in Canada Visa processing. 

Interested? Start with our FREE Online Assessment