Is It Possible To Obtain A Work Permit While In Canada As A Visitor?

There is this question that keep coming up from visitors in Canada who decided that they wanted to stay in the country to work – legally.

Most of the people who ask are professionals in their own countries who could not find a suitable opportunity in her or his profession in their homeland. Once they are in Canada and they find that in Canada, like in many Western countries, abound with opportunities for anyone who is willing to work hard and has the right education – they decided that Canada is the place for them to be in for the rest of their working life.

Now, their question is this – Is it possible to obtain a work permit while inside Canada as a visitor?

The answer to that is – Yes, it is possible, but it is tricky and the individual will have to go through difficult hurdles, but not impossible to achieve.

Below is one situation wherein a visitor in Canada can apply for a work permit while inside the country and have proven to work effectively:

Apply as a caregiver.

A visitor to Canada may apply while inside Canada as a caregiver, perhaps to take care of an elderly or disabled relative. In fact we know of a lot of visitors from other countries who have availed of this and have successfully obtained a work visa.

But be careful, though, because it takes strategy and preparation to become a working permit holder in this category.

First of all, you have to have a caregiver training if you plan on applying as one. Please note that your caregiver training must have been obtained in your own country or outside Canada and the school which provided the training has to be an approved training facility by HRSDC.

If you did not obtain that training before coming to Canada then it’s unlikely that you will be able to take the course inside Canada because you will need a student permit before Canada can allow you to study inside the country. Do not attempt to take the caregiver course inside Canada without the proper student visa otherwise it will only be a total waste of time and money because your training will not be honored as a valid caregiver training upon your application.

To apply as a caregiver while inside Canada, you must have someone willing to sponsor you as a caregiver (like a relative or friend), extend your visitors visa – then apply for a work permit as a caregiver in the nearest Canadian consulate inside the U.S. (you will need to apply for a visa to enter the United States).

It’s difficult but it’s doable.

Another option to obtain a work permit while inside Canada as a visitor, but not as proven as the option above is to secure a job offer from a Canadian company before coming to Canada.

Now, this is largely in a grey area because by law, Canadian companies are not allowed to hire employees who are not valid work permit holder or legal resident of Canada (permanent resident).

There is this one person who said that he was able to do it this way, but would not divulge the process he went through to obtain the work permit while inside Canada, so this has still to be proven.

Visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/work/apply-who-eligible.asp#inside to get more information on immigration and work permit laws.


Disclaimer: The immigration article posted above does not substitute as a legal advice on immigration to Canada issues. If you need help about your current immigration status or situation, consult a qualified immigration lawyer or consultant in your country or email us if you need representation with one of our lawyers. Use due diligence in doing so.

23 Responses to Is It Possible To Obtain A Work Permit While In Canada As A Visitor?

  1. Udaya Herath

    I would like to know how can i obtained work permit while on visitor’s visa ?

  2. Jeanna

    you need to apply out of Canada not INSIDE as you are on a Temp Resident Permit. The nearest Canadian Counsulate outside of Canda is obviously in the USA, Buffalo new York to be specific.

  3. Sadiq Sulaimon

    I am a milled steel welder by profession,and i don’t have anybody in Canada and i need a job that can suit my profession

  4. TRISHA ROSEN

    To apply as a caregiver while inside Canada, you must have someone willing to sponsor you as a caregiver (like a relative or friend), extend your visitors visa – then apply for a work permit as a caregiver in the nearest Canadian consulate inside the U.S. (you will need to apply for a visa to enter the United States).please clarify this we are talking about canada why thier US now for the visA???

  5. fasih syed

    i have experience of Accounts Manger and Restaurant Manager,i have no relative residing in Canada,am I able to have job in Canada?

  6. Neha kumari

    I want to job in candana but i have finical problem.and i need work.plz help me

  7. Emma Joe

    as a visitor can i apply to extend my stay inside canada?. Tell me what are the critarian or requiment there need to process visitor extention in canada?. Do i need work permit before extending my stay.

  8. Emma Joe

    am visiting canada soon as a visitor and am thinking i we love to work in canada my be under caregiver job so that i we grant work permit. how long will he take to undergo caregiver training inside canada. thank you

  9. jagjeet singh

    hai i have passed 12 standard so i wanna work /study visa how is possible tele me thanks indian

  10. Rahul

    Hai,

    I have completed my three years diploma in mechanical engineering, and I have the 10 years of experience in machinist side (skilled worker)
    I am interested to work in Canada.tell me about the details please.
    Thanks (Indian)

  11. Abdul Rehman

    I want going 2 canada but i like, help me

  12. Pingback: Training and Education: Requirements for Canada’s Live-In Caregiver Program | Immigration Tips, Articles And Resources

  13. Pingback: Application for Canada Working Visa and Permanent Residency Your Questions Answered | Immigration Tips, Articles And Resources

  14. grace

    Need Clarification:

    Is It Possible To Obtain A Work Permit While In Canada As A Visitor?

    To apply as a caregiver while inside Canada, you must have someone willing to sponsor you as a caregiver (like a relative or friend), extend your visitors visa – then apply for a work permit as a caregiver in the nearest Canadian consulate inside the U.S. (you will need to apply for a visa to enter the United States).

    I need clarification about this paragraph that you post why I need to apply work permit as a caregiver in the nearest Canadian consulate inside the U.S. (you will need to apply for a visa to enter the United States). Since I need a work permit for Canada to work as caregiver? If my employer provide an LMO & A CONTRACT. Any idea that I will not go back to phillippines & process my working permit and wait for 2years processing time? Thanks

  15. stacy

    is metro college on the list to qualify to apply for a work permit in canada,,, as a caregiver,, the course was taken in jamaica

  16. Live in caregiver

    most caregivers come from Philippine and it is very difficalt for them to obtain US visitor visa in order to apply for work permit as a caregiver in the nearest Canadian consulate inside the U.S, they really have to receive advice how to do that

  17. janise Tomlinson

    can i get a work permit while been in canada

  18. Teoh Cze Wen

    I would like to know how can i obtained work permit while on visitor’s visa ?

  19. diana

    hi! do you need to have money in the bank (proof of funds?) if you are going to work in canada and you are direct hire? hope you can answer my question. thanks in advance.

  20. dianne

    this website really help me a lot to get some info which regard with my plan to work in canada. thank u

  21. maribel osorio

    is it really possible to obtain a work permit while on an visitor’s visa?

  22. shirley neill

    i would like to know how can i obtained work permit as a visitor

  23. Atisha Seth

    I would like to know how I can obatin a work permit in canada while on a visit visa

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