How to convert Canada visitor visa to work visa 2023 step by step process

On August 24, 2020, Canada issued a temporary public policy that allows all visitors who are in Canada with valid temporary resident status to apply inland for an employer-specific work permit, regardless of when they arrived in Canada.

The public policy is being extended until February 28, 2025.

Eligibility requirements to convert Canada visitor visa to a work visa

The foreign national:

1. is in Canada with valid temporary resident status as a visitor, including status extensions under subsection 183(5) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), that is, maintained status, at the time of work permit application submission
2. has submitted an employer-specific work permit application using the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker [IMM 5710]
3. has remained in Canada with status since application submission and intends to remain in Canada throughout the period during which their work permit application is being processed
4. submitted the application on or before February 28, 2025

Documents required to submit application to convert Canada tourist visit visa to work visa 

FORMS LIST: The following forms must be completed, signed and dated.

• Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)

Note: If this application form is completed on a computer it must be validated to generate a barcode page. Print and place the barcode page (page 5 of 5) on the top of your application (or if applying as a group, each individual application package).

• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)

Note: Complete this form only if you are using the services of an authorized representative, or if you are appointing or cancelling a representative.

• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)

Note: Complete this form only if you authorize Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to release information from your case file to someone other than yourself.

• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409), if applicable

DOCUMENTS LIST

• Proof of Payment

Note: If you are applying for an open work permit, provide proof of payment for the Open Work Permit Holder Fee.

• PHOTOCOPIES of passport pages clearly showing each of the following:
  • the passport number;
  • the dates of issue and expiry;
  • your name and date of birth;
  • the stamp made by the Canadian authorities on your most recent entry into Canada; and
  • any other marked
• PHOTOCOPIES of your travel or identity document (citizenship certificates, birth certificate, alien registration cards, etc.) if you did not use a passport to enter Canada
• PHOTOCOPY of your current immigration document (if you have one)
• PHOTOCOPY of your Marriage License or Certificate (if applicable)
• If you are the dependant of another applicant, provide the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) of your family member who is the primary applicant
• If your employer obtained a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) form Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), provide a copy of the LMIA and a copy of your job offer letter from your prospective employer.
• If your employer is exempt from obtaining an LMIA from ESDC, your employer must provide you with the Offer of Employment number for inclusion in your work permit application form.
• If IRCC authorized your employer to submit the Offer of Employment using the IMM 5802 form, provide a copy of the IMM 5802 and proof that your employer paid the Employer Compliance Fee.
• Note: If your employer is exempt from the Employer Compliance Regime, you must provide a copy of the employment contract. Find out more about this exemption.
• If you are a live-in caregiver, provide a PHOTOCOPY of your signed employment contract between you and your employer.
• If working in the province of Quebec, provide a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI)
• If you are a participant in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, provide proof of health insurance covering the intended extension to your length of stay in Canada.

IF YOU ARE A STUDENT

• Proof of your academic standing: letter from the institutional registrar and/or photocopies of transcripts from your last two periods of study

IF YOU ARE A PROVINCIAL NOMINEE

• Letter from the provincial government that confirms the province has nominated you for permanent residence
• If your nomination has expired, a copy of the acknowledgement letter confirming that IRCC received your permanent residence application before the nomination expired
• Offer of employment from an employer based in that province (not applicable if applying for a bridging open work permit)
• Statement from the province that identifies the job and employer (not applicable if applying for a bridging open work permit) and states that:

• • you are urgently needed by your employer who has offered you a job in that province or territory
  • the job offer is genuine and will create economic benefits or opportunities,
  • the employment is not part-time or seasonal, and
  • the wages and working conditions of the employment would be sufficient to attract and retain Canadian
• Note: If you submitted an application for permanent residence provide proof that your application has been received or approved in principle.
• If you are the spouse or the common law partner of an open work permit holder i.e. post graduate work permit, working holiday work permit, bridging open work permit under federal skilled worker class, federal skilled trades class or caregiver class (caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class), please provide:
  • a letter from the primary foreign worker’s current employer confirming employment or a copy of their employment offer or contract;
  • a copy of the primary foreign worker’s last three pay stubs; and
  • a copy of the primary foreign worker’s open work permit

IF YOU ARE A SPOUSE OR COMMON LAW PARTNER OF AN OPEN WORK PERMIT HOLDER OR A SKILLED WORKER

• If you are the spouse or the common law partner of an open work permit holder i.e. post graduate work permit, working holiday work permit, bridging open work permit under federal skilled worker class, federal skilled trades class or caregiver class (caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class), please provide:
  • a letter or a copy of the offer of employment or contract from the primary foreign worker’s current employer confirming employment in an
• occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B, for federal skilled trades class NOC B;
  • a copy of the primary foreign worker’s last three pay stubs; and
  • a copy of the primary foreign worker’s open work permit
• If you are a spouse or common law partner of an open work permit holder i.e. Canadian experience class or provincial nominee class (irrespective of the NOC skill type of the principal applicant’s occupation), please provide:
  • a copy of the primary foreign worker’s open work permit
• If you are the spouse or common law partner of a skilled worker who holds a work permit or is authorized to work without a work permit under R186, please provide:
  • A letter or a copy of the offer of employment or contract from the primary foreign worker’s current employer confirming employment in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or
  • A copy of the primary foreign worker’s work
  • Evidence that the primary foreign worker physically resides or plans to reside in Canada while

IF YOU ARE THE SPOUSE OR COMMON LAW PARTNER OF A FULL-TIME STUDENT

• If you are the spouse or common law partner of a student who holds a study permit, please provide:
  • Evidence such as a valid enrollment letter showing the student is engaged in full-time studies at a Canadian:
    • Public post-secondary institution (i.e. university, college, CEGEP, trade or technical school)
    • Private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public post-secondary institution in Quebec
    • Private or public secondary or post-secondary institution (in Quebec) offering a vocational program
    • Private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees
  • A copy of the student’s study permit

IF YOU ARE A REFUGEE CLAIMANT

• Proof that you cannot support yourself without recourse to social assistance (welfare)
• If you are currently receiving social assistance, attach a letter from the provincial social services department indicating you are receiving money or attach a cheque stub if it indicates clearly that it was issued by the provincial social services department.

AND

• Proof that your refugee claim was referred to the Immigration and Refugee board (IRB) Either of the following is considered acceptable evidence:
  • A PHOTOCOPY of your Refugee Protection Claimant Document, or
  • A PHOTOCOPY of your Notice to Appear at the IRB or Confirmation of Referral
• Note: If you are a national of a Designated Country of Origin, you are not eligible for a work permit until 180 days have passed since your refugee claim was referred to the IRB. (You will also become eligible if the IRB approves your refugee claim.)

IF YOUR REFUGEE CLAIM WAS REFUSED

• Proof that you cannot support yourself without recourse to social assistance (welfare)
• If you are currently receiving social assistance, attach a letter from the provincial social services department indicating you are receiving money or attach a cheque stub if it indicates clearly that it was issued by the provincial social services department.
• Proof that you have filed an application with the Federal Court of Canada for leave and for Judicial Review of the IRB decision with respect to your refugee claim

SUBMIT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING (AS APPLICABLE):

• Proof that you are appealing the rejection of your refugee claim at the Refugee Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
• Proof that at least 12 months (or 36 months, if you are a national of a Designated Country of Origin) have passed since the IRB rejected your refugee claim. A copy of your IRB Notice of Decision is acceptable proof that the required amount of time has passed
• Proof that you are unable to leave Canada because you are not able to obtain a travel document.

Examples of acceptable proof:

• • A notification you received informing you that your application for a passport has been rejected;
  • Confirmation from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that their efforts to obtain a travel document for you have been unsuccessful

IF YOU ARE SEEKING AN OPEN WORK PERMIT FOR VULNERABLE WORKERS

• Proof that you are experiencing abuse or are at risk of abuse in the context of your employment in Canada.

Examples of evidence of abuse or risk of abuse may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• • a description of the abuse or risk of abuse faced by the migrant worker
  • a letter, statement or report from an abuse support organization, medical doctor/healthcare professional or other such
  • a sworn statement (affidavit) by the applicant
  • a copy of an official complaint form filed with an enforcement agency
    • For example, a police or a Canada Border Services Agency report, copy of an official complaint completed by the migrant worker and submitted to a provincial enforcement agency such as an Employment Standards Branch.
  • supporting or additional material, such as victim impact statements, hard copies of email messages, photos showing injuries or working conditions, witness testimonies

How to Convert Canada visitor visa to Canada work visa – step by step process

Normally, visitors can’t apply for work permits from inside Canada.

Due to a temporary policy change, visitors can apply online for an employer-specific work permit by following the steps below.

Who’s eligible

You must

1. be physically present in Canada when you apply
   • You must stay in Canada while we process your application. If you leave while your application is being processed, you won’t be eligible under this public policy.
2. get yourself a valid job offer since this is an employer specific Canada work permit application.Employers who hire temporary workers may be inspected to make sure they meet their responsibilities as an employer under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or International Mobility Program.If an employer is found non-compliant, they can receive either or both of the following:
   • a monetary penalty
   • a ban from hiring temporary workers (these employers are ineligible to hire temporary workers for a period of time)

   It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that the employer who’s given you a job offer is not on this non-compliant list.
3. apply for your employer-specific work permit between August 24, 2020, and February 28, 2025
   • Applications submitted before or after these dates are not eligible.
4. be a visitor with valid status when you apply for the work permit
   • If your visitor status has expired, you’ll need to restore your visitor status before you apply for a work permit.

Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) holders are also eligible for this public policy.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need

To apply online, you’ll need

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

You should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Know the fees you have to pay

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

IRCC will ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.

Step 4: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to

• pay your fees
• submit your application forms
• check your status

How to start your application

Once you sign in to your account here, you’ll need to

• go to the “Start your application” section on the account welcome page
• click “Apply to come to Canada”
• on the next page, scroll down to the “I do not have a personal reference code” section
• click on the “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” button

Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions. Make sure you answer these questions correctly:

• You would like to work temporarily
  • Either less than or more than 6 months
• Your current immigration status is as a visitor
• When asked “Are you applying under the Canada–USA–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) or under a Public Policy related to work permits as announced by IRCC for an employer specific work permit?”, answer “yes”

IRCC uses your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.

Create an account or sign in here to submit an application to convert your Canada visitor visa to a Canada work permit.

Note:

As at the writing of this article, it is taking significantly longer to apply for a work permit from inside Canada (158 days) than if you applied from outside Canada (10 weeks if applying from Kenya for example).

Canada work permit and Canada visa processing times will vary based on:

• the type of application submitted
• if the application is complete
• how quickly we expect to process applications we’ve already received
• how easily we can verify your information
• how long you take to respond to any requests or concerns
• other factors

Learn how processing times are calculated.

I would therefore advise you to weigh your options and act accordingly.

Occupations eligible for priority fast tracked Canada work permit visa applications: