Canadian Immigration Guide 2024

Every Canadian Visa,
Clearly Explained

From first visit to permanent residency — Yenmek's experts break down every visa pathway with the real information you need, not just government boilerplate. Pick your path below.

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01 — Study Permit

Temporary Resident · DLI Required

Study Permit
Canada

Your gateway to world-class Canadian education — from college diplomas to doctoral research.

A Canadian Study Permit is not a visa — it's the document that lets you remain in Canada to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Depending on your home country, you may also need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada at the border. Most applicants need both.

Processing Time
4 – 16 weeks
Part-Time Work
20 hrs/week allowed
Post-Grad Work
PGWP up to 3 yrs
Apply with Yenmek Check Eligibility
International students studying in Canada — Yenmek Immigration
~800Kactive study permits in Canada (2024)
Designated Learning Institutions
You must be accepted to a DLI — a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. Universities, colleges, and trade schools can qualify. Always verify DLI status before applying.
Work While You Study
Study permit holders can work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks — without needing a separate work permit.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
After graduating from an eligible DLI, you can apply for a PGWP for up to 3 years — a powerful bridge to Canadian work experience and ultimately permanent residency through Express Entry's CEC stream.
Bring Your Family
Spouses and common-law partners of eligible study permit holders may qualify for an Open Work Permit. Dependent children can attend Canadian schools as well during your stay.

How to Apply — Step by Step

01
Get Acceptance from a DLI
Apply and receive a letter of acceptance from your chosen Designated Learning Institution. This is mandatory before any visa application.
02
Gather Documents
Passport, letter of acceptance, proof of financial support (tuition + living costs), language test results (IELTS/TEF), and a Statement of Purpose letter.
03
Submit Online Application (IRCC Portal)
Create an IRCC account, complete IMM 1294 (Study Permit), pay the $150 CAD application fee, and upload biometrics if required.
04
Wait for Decision & Travel
Processing typically takes 4–16 weeks. Once approved, you receive a Port of Entry (POE) letter. Your actual Study Permit is issued at the border on arrival.
02 — Work Permit

Temporary Resident · LMIA or IMP

Work Permit
Canada

Whether you have a job offer in hand or qualify through an LMIA-exempt category — we get you working in Canada.

Canadian Work Permits come in two main types: Employer-Specific (Closed) permits tied to one employer, and Open Work Permits that let you work for almost any employer in Canada. Most employer-specific permits require your employer to first obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from ESDC, confirming no Canadian was available for the role.

LMIA Cost
$1,000 employer fee
Processing
2 – 5 months (LMIA)
Our Service
From $1,999 + tax
LMIA Services Check Eligibility
Work permit Canada — Yenmek Immigration Services Mississauga
LMIA-ExemptIMP covers 100+ job categories
LMIA-Required Work Permits
High-wage and low-wage streams require a positive LMIA. The employer applies first, then the worker applies for the work permit. Yenmek handles the entire LMIA process from $1,999 + tax.
LMIA-Exempt (International Mobility Program)
Intra-company transferees, CUSMA/USMCA workers, significant benefit roles (researchers, artists, athletes), and spousal open work permits are exempt from LMIA under the IMP. Much faster processing.
Open Work Permits
Available for spouses of skilled workers or students, refugee claimants, graduates (PGWP), and more. An Open Work Permit lets you choose your employer freely — you are not tied to any single company.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Canadian work experience is one of the strongest factors in the Express Entry CRS score. Many work permit holders transition to PR through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream within 1–2 years.

LMIA Process — What We Handle

01
Employer Recruitment Effort
Employer must demonstrate a genuine effort to hire Canadians first — job ads on Job Bank, recruitment records, and documented reasons for each rejected Canadian applicant.
02
LMIA Application to ESDC
Complete employer application with wage details, job description, and compliance information. Yenmek prepares and files this on your behalf. Employer pays $1,000 ESDC fee.
03
Positive LMIA Issued
ESDC reviews and issues the LMIA decision. Processing is typically 2–5 months for standard positions, or as fast as 10 business days for Global Talent Stream positions.
04
Worker Applies for Work Permit
The foreign worker now applies for the Work Permit using the positive LMIA confirmation number. We guide the worker through the full application and document package.
Need an LMIA? We've handled hundreds of them. Full-service LMIA from $1,999 + tax. No hidden fees.
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03 — Visitor Visa

Temporary Resident Visa · TRV or eTA

Tourist & Visitor
Visa Canada

Exploring Banff, visiting family in Toronto, or attending Niagara Falls — Canada welcomes you.

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) allows citizens of visa-required countries to visit Canada for up to 6 months. Citizens of visa-exempt countries (UK, EU, Australia, etc.) use an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead — a simple $7 CAD online process. US citizens only need a valid passport. You cannot work or study for more than 6 months on a tourist visa.

Maximum Stay
6 months
Processing
2 – 8 weeks (TRV)
eTA Cost
$7 CAD online
Apply with Expert Help Check if You Need a TRV
Visiting Canada — tourist visa TRV eTA Yenmek
45M+visitors welcomed to Canada annually
TRV vs eTA — What Do You Need?
Citizens of countries like India, Pakistan, China, and Philippines need a TRV. Citizens of the EU, UK, Australia, Japan and other visa-exempt countries only need an eTA. Americans need neither — just a passport.
Super Visa for Parents & Grandparents
A Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs to stay for up to 5 years per visit (vs 6 months on a regular TRV). It can be valid for up to 10 years. Medical insurance coverage is required.
What You Can & Can't Do
You can: visit family, attend weddings, tour Canada's national parks, attend short courses under 6 months. You cannot: work for a Canadian employer, collect wages from a Canadian source, or study beyond 6 months.
Key Documents Required
Valid passport (6+ months), proof of financial sufficiency, ties to home country (employment letter, property, family), travel itinerary, and a clear cover letter explaining the purpose and duration of your visit.
04 — Business Visa

Investor · Entrepreneur · Start-Up

Business Visa
Canada

Attending conferences, closing deals, or building the next Canadian unicorn — the right visa for every business ambition.

Canada offers multiple business immigration pathways. For short visits (conferences, negotiations, trade shows), a standard TRV or eTA is sufficient. For longer-term entrepreneurship, Canada's Start-Up Visa Program and provincial entrepreneur streams offer a direct path to permanent residency for qualifying business owners.

Short Visit
TRV or eTA
Start-Up Visa Min.
$200K–$2M funding
PR Processing
12 – 36 months
Explore Business Immigration
Business visa Canada entrepreneur immigration Yenmek
Start-Up Visaleads to Canadian PR directly
Start-Up Visa Program
For innovative entrepreneurs with support from a designated Canadian venture capital fund ($200K+), angel investor group ($75K+), or business incubator. Language (CLB 5), education, and settlement funds also required. Leads directly to PR.
Provincial Entrepreneur Streams
BC, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and others have dedicated entrepreneur immigration streams via the PNP. Requirements vary — most ask for minimum net worth ($300K–$1.5M), business plan, and a period of active management in the province.
Self-Employed Persons Program
For world-class athletes, artists, and cultural workers who can contribute at the international level to Canadian cultural life or athletics. Must demonstrate relevant experience and intent/ability to be self-employed in Canada.
Intra-Company Transfers
If you are a senior manager, executive, or specialized knowledge worker transferring within a multinational company to a Canadian office, you may be LMIA-exempt under CUSMA/USMCA. Typically the fastest business work permit route.
05 — Family Sponsorship

Permanent Residency Route · Spousal · Parents

Family Visa &
Sponsorship Canada

Reunite with your spouse, children, or parents in Canada — the country that believes families belong together.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency. The most common pathway is Spousal Sponsorship, but Canada also allows sponsorship of dependent children, parents, and grandparents (through the PGP lottery program). As a sponsor, you must commit to financially supporting the sponsored person so they do not need to rely on social assistance.

Spousal Processing
12 – 24 months
Sponsorship Period
3 years (spouse)
Parents & Grandparents
Annual PGP intake
Spousal Sponsorship Check Eligibility
Family sponsorship permanent residency Canada Yenmek
90K+families reunited through sponsorship in 2023
Spousal & Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
You can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner (12+ months cohabitation), or conjugal partner. The sponsored person can receive an open work permit while their PR application is in progress — letting them work in Canada right away.
Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP)
IRCC opens an annual online form (not a full application — just an interest form) to randomly select 15,000–30,000 potential sponsors. If selected, you may apply to sponsor your parents or grandparents for permanent residency. Minimum income thresholds apply.
Dependent Children
Canadian citizens and PRs can sponsor unmarried dependent children under age 22. Children aged 22+ may still qualify if they have been continuously financially dependent on a parent due to a physical or mental condition.
Sponsorship Undertaking
As a sponsor, you sign a legally binding undertaking to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person. For spouses, this lasts 3 years from when PR is granted. For children under 22, it lasts until they turn 25 or become self-supporting.
06 — Permanent Residency

Express Entry · PNP · Agri-Food · Atlantic

Permanent Residency
Canada

Make Canada home — permanently. The most impactful immigration decision you will ever make.

Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) gives you nearly all the rights of a citizen — you can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, access healthcare and social benefits, and eventually apply for citizenship. The primary federal pathway is Express Entry, a competitive points-based system. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offer lower-threshold pathways through individual provinces.

Express Entry Target
6 months from ITA
CRS Range
Typically 450–550+
PR Card Valid
5 years (renewable)
Assess My Express Entry Score Explore PNPs by Province
Express Entry Canada permanent residency Yenmek Immigration
485Knew PRs welcomed to Canada in 2023
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
For skilled workers outside Canada with at least 1 year of continuous full-time (or equivalent) foreign work experience in an eligible NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. Minimum CRS score of 67 points on the FSW grid to enter the pool.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
For workers who already have 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience within the last 3 years. This is the most common PR stream for Study Permit and Work Permit holders already living in Canada. No job offer required.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Every Canadian province and territory (except Quebec which runs its own system) has PNP streams for workers, entrepreneurs, international graduates, and semi-skilled workers. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points — virtually guaranteeing an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.
Citizenship After PR
After holding PR status, you can apply for Canadian citizenship once you have been physically present in Canada for at least 3 years (1,095 days) out of the last 5 years before your application. Language proficiency and citizenship test required for applicants 18–54.

Express Entry: Full Process Timeline

01
Create Express Entry Profile
Submit an online profile to IRCC. You'll receive your CRS score based on age, education, language (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF), work experience, adaptability, and valid job offer or provincial nomination.
02
Wait in the Pool & Receive an ITA
IRCC holds regular draws, inviting the highest-scoring candidates in the pool. Some draws are for all programs, others are occupation-specific (e.g. healthcare, STEM, trades). Once your score is competitive, you receive an Invitation to Apply.
03
Submit Your PR Application (60 days)
After receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to compile and submit a complete application: police certificates, medical exams, language tests, educational credential assessment (ECA), proof of funds, and all employment records.
04
Receive COPR & Land as a Permanent Resident
Upon approval, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Land in Canada before the expiry date on your COPR, and you become a permanent resident at the port of entry. Your PR card arrives by mail within 8 weeks.
Quick Reference

All Visa Types
at a Glance

Use this table to find the right pathway quickly, then scroll up for full details.

Visa Type Who It's For Work Allowed? Length of Stay Leads to PR?
Study Permit International students at DLIs Yes — 20 hrs/week off-campus Duration of program Via PGWP → CEC
Work Permit Foreign workers with job offer or LMIA Yes — employer-specific or open Job contract length Yes — via CEC or PNP
Tourist/Visitor Visa Tourists, family visits, conferences No Up to 6 months No
Business Visa Entrepreneurs, investors, executives Limited (business activities only) Varies by program Yes — Start-Up Visa, PNP
Family Sponsorship Spouses, children, parents of PR/citizens Yes — open work permit during processing Permanent Yes — it IS the PR process
Express Entry PR Skilled workers, CEC, FSW, FST Unlimited (as PR) Permanent (5-yr card) It IS permanent residency
Expert Answers

Questions We Get Every Day

Real answers from Yenmek's immigration experts — the kind that don't just point you to the government website.

Ask Your Question — Free
A Study Permit is the document that allows you to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and remain in Canada for the program duration. A Student Visa (TRV) or eTA is what gets you through the border. Citizens of visa-exempt countries (EU, UK, Australia) only need the Study Permit — the eTA is automatically triggered. Citizens of countries like India, Pakistan, or China need both the TRV and the Study Permit. The Study Permit itself is issued at the port of entry, not online.
No. Working in Canada on a Tourist Visa (TRV or eTA) is illegal and a serious violation of your conditions of entry. It can result in removal from Canada, a multi-year entry ban, and permanent marks on your immigration record that affect future applications. If you plan to work, you must obtain the appropriate Work Permit before starting work.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirming no qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available for the position. Your employer must apply for it, demonstrate genuine recruitment efforts, and pay a $1,000 federal fee. A positive LMIA is then used by the foreign worker to apply for a work permit. Yenmek manages the full LMIA process from document prep to submission for $1,999 + tax.
Express Entry is a pool-based system. You create a profile and receive a CRS score out of 1,200 based on your age, language test results, education, Canadian and foreign work experience, adaptability factors, valid job offer, and provincial nominations. IRCC holds draws every 2 weeks, inviting the top scorers to apply. There's no single cut-off — it varies per draw. Recent all-program draw cut-offs have been in the 485–525 range. Category-based draws (healthcare, STEM, trades, French language) can have significantly lower cut-offs. A provincial nomination adds 600 points and near-guarantees an ITA.
Key documents include: proof of your Canadian citizenship or PR status, valid passports for both parties, marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship (12+ months cohabitation — joint lease, bank statements, photos), police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for 6+ months, medical exam from an IRCC-designated physician, completed forms IMM 1344 (sponsorship) and IMM 0008 (PR application), and evidence that you can meet the basic financial needs of your spouse. Photos together, chat logs, and shared financial documents strengthen the relationship evidence.
From Invitation to Apply (ITA) to final decision, IRCC targets 6 months for Express Entry. Total timeline including pool wait is typically 8–18 months. After landing, the border officer confirms your PR status, stamps your COPR, and issues a Record of Landing. Within 1–2 weeks, apply for your SIN at a Service Canada office to begin working. Your PR card arrives by mail in 6–8 weeks. To maintain PR status, you must be physically present in Canada for 730 days out of every 5 years (PR residency obligation).
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