Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I would like to visit Canada. Do I need a visa?
If you are not from one of the visa exempt countries you will need a visa, regardless of the purpose of your visit or the length of your stay. Visitors must apply for a visa for Canada from their country of residence and may not apply for a visa upon arrival in Canada. Visitors from the United States, Japan, Australia, Italy, and Switzerland among others do not need a visa to come to Canada. Check Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s website for current information before you make travel plans because the list of countries can change at any time.
2. What are requirements to visit Canada as a tourist?
  • Have a valid passport, and other travel documents i.e. entry visa, or electronic travel authorization.
  • Have sufficient funds to support yourself in Canada.
  • Have a letter of invitation, recent medical record, police clearance.
  • Demonstrate, among other things, that you will leave Canada at the conclusion of your trip and prior to the expiry of your visa.
3. I would like to study in Canada and work while studying. Do I need a study permit or work permit?
People planning to study in Canada for six months or more and those who wish to work temporarily in Canada need to apply for a study permit or a work permit respectively. However, if you are a student, you might be eligible to work without a work permit. If you plan to study in a short-term program for 6 months or less, you do not need a study permit. You may do this while holding a visitor status. But you can apply for a study permit if you want to. If you plan to study in a program for more than 6 months, you need a study permit. Working On-campus. You do not need a work permit in order to work on campus while attending school, as your study permit gives you permission to work unlimited hours on-campus as long you are registered in full-time studies. Working Off -campus. Students in degree, diploma or certificate programs do not need a work permit to work off campus while attending school, as your study permit gives you permission to work off campus as long as you are registered in full-time studies. If eligible, you can work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. Co-op Placement or Internship: permit required. You will need a Co-op work permit if the work is integral to your academic program. Volunteer (unpaid) work. Some volunteer positions and internships (paid or unpaid) may be considered work by IRCC – for example, if you volunteered for a job that is normally performed by paid employees (photocopying, customer service, etc.), it is considered work regardless of whether you are paid or not. If your volunteer position or internship is considered work, you must have the appropriate work authorization before you start. After you graduate: Students who complete a fulltime program lasting for longer than 8 months may be eligible to apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit. Post Graduate Work Permits may not exceed the length of study time.
4. I would like to work in Canada. Do I need a work permit? What is LMIA?
In most cases, to work in Canada, a foreign national must receive authorization – work permit.    A work permit is an official document issued by the Canadian government that authorizes a foreign individual the permission for employment in Canada. There are two types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits. Labour Market Impact Assessment or LMIA is a letter issued by the federal government of Canada that gives an employer the right to hire a foreign worker. All Canadian employers need LMIA if they want to hire a temporary foreign worker (TFW). There are very few exceptions to that rule.
5. How can I immigrate to Canada?
You can apply under one of many categories for Canadian permanent residence:

  • Skilled Worker Class Immigration
  • Business Class Immigration
  • Provincial Nomination
  • Northwest Territories Immigration
  • Atlantic Immigration
  • Family Class Immigration
  • Canadian Experience Class
  • Caregiver Program
  • Quebec-Selected Immigration
6. What are requirements for immigrating to Canada?
The government of Canada immigration requirements are differ depending on each program.  However, there are some important basic requirements, which are common for the majority of immigration programs. Language Proficiency: Canada has 2 official languages: English and French. You must provide proof of your language skills in either language. The language test determines if you meet the minimum requirements in English or French language in the four language abilities:  reading, writing, speaking, listening. Language Proficiency Tests You must take an English or French language test from an organization approved by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and attach the results of your test with your application.

Education In order for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess the validity of your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate, you will have to submit to an Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA. An ECA is valid for a period of 5 years from the date it is issued. To be accepted by IRCC, the ECA must not be more than five years old on the date that IRCC gets (i) your Express Entry profile, and (ii) your application for permanent residence. There are 7 organizations currently designated by IRCC to provide Educational Credential Assessment or ECA report services:

Assesses international academic qualifications and evaluates equivalence to Canadian education system.

Evaluates credentials from secondary school, post-secondary school and technical qualifications. Their reports describe the education you did outside of Canada and compare it to education you can get in Canada.

  • World Education Services (WES) will provide assessments of your degree and/or diploma from high school, training program, college or university.

You can use WES evaluation reports for 5 purposes: employment, education, immigration, post-secondary education, licensing and apprenticeship training.

The International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) is an Alberta government service that issues certificates comparing credentials from other countries to Canadian education standards.

ICES is a service provided by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to determine how foreign educational credentials compare to the educational system in British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada. Please note, the following types of training are NOT evaluated by ICES:  vocational or apprenticeship programs, professional licenses , work experience or PLAR , military training,  English language proficiency,  non-credit professional development courses,  continuing education courses taken at a non-recognized institutions.

  • Medical Council of Canada (professional body for Doctors) provides Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for principal applicants intending to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) for immigration to Canada and for whom general practitioner and family physician or specialist physician would be the primary occupation for their application to immigrate to Canada.

If you are a specialist physician (NOC 3111) or general practitioner/family physician (NOC 3112), the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) must do the ECA for your primary medical diploma.

If you are a pharmacist (NOC 3131) and need a license to practice (for example, providing patient care in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, etc.), the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) must do your ECA. If you wish to work in a regulated profession in Canada, you will need to be licensed by the provincial or territorial government’s licencing body in the province or territory in which you wish to live and work. This is in addition to having your degree or diploma assessed through an ECA. You should contact the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory you wish to live in as soon as possible to see what the requirements are for getting your foreign credentials assessed. Health Records All Canadian immigration applicants who wish to receive their Canadian permanent resident status must have a medical exam performed before they immigrate to Canada. Applicants must find a panel physician in their country that has been approved by the Canadian government to do the medical exams. You can find a list of approved panel physicians on IRCC website:  https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx Criminal History When you apply to become a permanent resident of Canada, you need to get a police certificate. The IRCC also will ask you for one if you are coming to Canada as a caregiver, a tourist , a student, or a temporary worker. Having a criminal record can affect your immigration application.  You could be considered “criminally inadmissible.” This includes the conviction of minor to serious crimes, such as: theft, assault, manslaughter, dangerous driving, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, possession of or trafficking drugs or controlled substances. Please note, not all criminal histories will make it impossible to get an Entry Visa or Permanent Resident Status. You may still be allowed to come to Canada, depending on the conviction, and/or how long ago you were convicted. It is important to back this information with official documents to prove that you are accurately describing your criminal record. Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will need full details about the criminal charges to determine whether you are eligible to enter Canada and/or become a permanent resident. You will have to provide copies of police documents, court transcripts, pardons, photocopies of applicable sections of foreign law(s), and other documents that relate to the conviction. There are other factors that are more program or visa type specific: age, work experience, adaptability, and arranged employment.

7. What documents are required for immigrating to Canada?
The documents that are required are based on the type of program through which candidate has applied for Permanent Residency status in Canada. The list of additional documents also varies depending on individual case. Some of the documents are listed below:

  • IELTS / CLB examination score
  • Educational certificates / degrees/ diplomas/
  • Educational credentials assessment
  • Passport
  • Photographs
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Resume (recently updated)
  • The work experience letters from previous employers
  • Proof of funds – (bank statements / debentures / bonds/ shares)
  • Property ownership
  • Recent medical record
  • Police certificate
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Olena Belperio B.A., RCIC

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