Converting a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa in 2024 is an attractive pathway for individuals seeking employment opportunities in the country. This process allows applicants to change their visa status from tourist to work without leaving Canada, provided they have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
Given the economic conditions and labor market needs in Canada in 2024, this method is a suitable option for those looking for work and long-term residency in Canada.
Steps to Convert a Canadian Tourist Visa to a Work Visa
Converting a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa is entirely possible but comes with specific risks. Due to the time constraints of tourist visas, there is limited time to complete the process, so it is essential to act quickly.
Generally, to convert a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa in 2024, and according to the new regulations, you need to follow these steps:
- Assessing the Possibility of Visa Conversion
First, you need to assess your situation and determine whether it is feasible to convert your Canadian tourist visa to a work visa based on the required conditions. If you believe there is a chance for you, proceed by obtaining a tourist visa and follow the steps to convert it to a work visa.
- Applying for a Work Visa from Within Canada
If you hold a Canadian tourist visa, you can apply to convert it to a work visa in two ways. In the past, you needed to secure a job offer from a Canadian employer and submit their confirmation letter to the immigration office to obtain a Closed Work Permit (allowing work only for the specific employer). This type of work permit required an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) approval.
However, with the new regulations in place, you can now apply for an Open Work Permit (allowing work for any employer) while holding a Canadian tourist visa. In this case, you do not need to provide a job offer letter and can directly apply to convert your tourist visa to a work visa.
- Completing the Required Forms
Next, you need to prepare all the necessary documents, complete the required forms, and submit your application from within Canada to the immigration authorities.
- Submitting Required Documents
Next, you need to submit your application and documents to initiate the processing of your visa conversion. You have several options for submitting your application:
- Online Submission: Create an account on the IRCC system and comply with GCKey requirements.
- Paper Submission: You can download the relevant forms from the Canadian immigration website, complete the paper version, and send it in. Given that you are already in the country, sending a paper application will not be too difficult.
- Flagpoling: This method involves taking your forms and documents to a border crossing between the U.S. and Canada and submitting them to the CBSA immigration officers. Flagpoling is the fastest way to advance your Canadian work permit application.
Also Read: Work Immigration to Canada 2024
Requirements for Converting a Tourist Visa to a Work Visa in Canada
To effectively convert your Canadian tourist visa to a work visa with minimal issues, it’s essential to understand the necessary requirements.
The conditions for converting a tourist visa to a work visa can vary depending on the method of conversion. However, generally, you must meet the following requirements:
- Having a Valid Job Offer
You need to receive a job offer from a position with a valid NOC (National Occupational Classification) code. The Canadian government has prepared a list of approximately 3,000 different occupations, each assigned an NOC code. If you receive a job offer from a business without an NOC code, you cannot use it to convert your tourist visa to a work visa.
Once you secure a valid job, the employer will submit an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) request, which demonstrates the positive impact of your employment on the country’s economy. Note that Canadian companies cannot issue a valid job offer without proving the essential need to hire a foreign worker over a domestic one. After the LMIA is approved, you can start the process of converting your Canadian tourist visa to a work visa.
In the new immigration programs, such as the Open Work Permit, having a job offer is not required.
- Proof of Financial Capability
To initially obtain a Canadian tourist visa and later convert it to a work visa, you must provide proof of sufficient financial capability. Financial proof demonstrates to the Canadian government that you can cover your living expenses and will not be a burden on the state. It also shows that you have ties to your home country, suggesting that you will return there without difficulty once your visa expires (unless you obtain permanent residency or extend your visa during this time).
- Employer Confirmation
If you are converting your Canadian tourist visa to a work visa with the help of a job offer, you must include a Letter of Introduction (LOI) from your employer in your documents. This letter acts as a sponsorship document supporting your immigration challenges and will significantly influence the immigration officers’ decision.
If your job offer is subject to an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), you must also include this permit in your application.
- Health and Security Conditions
When applying for a tourist visa and converting it to a work visa, you must provide evidence of your physical health. Health certification is crucial for visa issuance, as officials need to ensure you are fit to work.
Additional conditions for converting a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa include:
- Being present in Canada when submitting your application.
- Your tourist visa must be valid at the time of application (it is advisable to start the process as soon as you have a six-month validity).
- Complying with all immigration and refugee protection laws in Canada.
Documents Required for Converting a Tourist Visa to a Work Visa in Canada
To convert your Canadian tourist visa to a work visa, you must prepare various documents and submit them along with your application forms to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The most important documents required for converting a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa include:
- Valid Passport
Your Iranian passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of applying for both the tourist visa and its conversion to a work visa. If your passport expires before your application is finalized, even if the application process is successful, you will not be permitted to stay in Canada or convert your visa.
Remember, IRCC does not disclose the reasons for application rejections; they only provide the outcome. In most cases, rejections occur due to deficiencies or issues with the submitted documents.
- Identity Documents
In addition to your passport, you must submit all identity documents for yourself and accompanying family members, translated into English or French, to the immigration office. Additionally, you need to visit one of the Canadian offices referred to you by the embassy for biometric processing and fingerprinting. The cost of biometric identity documents is separate and must be completed for you and all accompanying family members.
- Educational and Professional Documents
If you do not have an official job offer and want to apply directly to convert your tourist visa to a work visa, having significant qualifications as a worker is essential. Therefore, the more extensive your work experience (at least 2 years of continuous employment in the past 5 years) and education, the higher your chances of success in visa conversion.
Please note that all educational documents (whether academic or vocational) must be submitted in translated and official form. To prove work experience, you can use documents such as employment insurance records, official reference letters, and pay stubs (translated).
- Official Job Offer
If you have received a job offer from a business with a valid NOC code, you must include the LOI (Letter of Introduction) or confirmation letter in your application and then submit your request. If your job position requires an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), you must also include this permit.
- Completed Application Forms
For converting a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa, there are specific official forms available for download online from the Canadian immigration website. You can complete these forms either online or in paper format. The appropriate forms for this process are IMM 5710 and, if needed, IMM 5476.
A crucial point is to ensure complete accuracy when filling out the forms. All sections must be filled out correctly and thoroughly without omissions or errors.
Working with an experienced immigration lawyer or using the services of a professional immigration agency can greatly assist you. These experts are responsible for ensuring that all documents are complete and all information is accurate before submitting your application to avoid any issues.
Also Read: Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) 2024
Costs for Converting a Tourist Visa to a Work Visa in Canada
Converting a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa can incur several types of costs:
- Administrative Fees
If you are converting your tourist visa to a work visa through a job offer, you will need to pay approximately CAD 155. However, if you are applying through an Open Work Permit without a job offer, the cost can increase to around CAD 255. This fee covers the application processing and biometric information collection. Additionally, renewing your tourist visa will also incur an administrative fee of about CAD 100.
- Consultation Fees
Immigration procedures and navigating various stages can be risky without the help of a professional consultant. Immigration consultants may charge different rates depending on their experience, reputation, and the range of services you require. Many consultants do not charge a separate fee but instead calculate their fees as a percentage of the total immigration costs.
- Translation and Certification Fees
For any visa application or temporary or permanent residency in Canada (including Work Visas), you must provide your identity, educational, and professional documents in translated form. The cost of document translation in Iran can vary depending on the institution and individual providing the service.
- Travel and Accommodation Costs
One of the conditions for converting a tourist visa to a work visa in Canada is that you must be present in the country. This requirement can lead to various expenses, including rent for housing or a hotel, food, clothing, and even leisure activities. Keep in mind that the process can take between 5 to 36 weeks, and you will need to maintain a normal lifestyle during this period.
If you have friends or family in Canada with whom you can stay as a guest, your accommodation costs during the application review will be significantly reduced.
Consultation and Guidance for Converting a Tourist Visa to a Work Visa in Canada
Navigating the immigration process through converting a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa is a legal procedure that is best done with the assistance of a professional expert who oversees all stages of the process.
To ensure you complete the immigration steps to Canada correctly, with a high chance of success and efficiently, consider the following:
- Choosing a Reputable Consultant
An experienced and reputable immigration consultant or lawyer can be key to your success in obtaining a Canadian work visa through a tourist visa. Many immigration firms operate in Iran, and numerous immigration lawyers are practicing in Canada. It is advisable to conduct thorough research and select the best consultant you can afford before proceeding.
- Utilizing Online Resources
Today, online resources can provide you with all the information you need. By using English-language resources and updates from official Canadian systems, you can familiarize yourself with the exact process of converting a tourist visa to a work visa. Online resources are also an excellent way to find top immigration lawyers, review public comments about them, and gather other useful information.
- Attending Seminars and Webinars
Various seminars and webinars on Canadian immigration are held each month. Participating in these can provide you with very useful and up-to-date information.
- Studying the Experiences of Others
The path you intend to take has been traveled by many others. It is wise to speak with individuals who have followed the same path before taking any steps yourself, and to ask them about the challenges and difficulties they faced. Hearing about others’ experiences is often the best source of genuine and practical insight into the process ahead.
Important Points About Converting a Tourist Visa to a Work Visa in Canada in 2024
Converting a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa was possible in the past, but it involved significant difficulties and risks that were often not worth the trouble. However, in recent years, the Canadian government has implemented new regulations that have opened new avenues in this regard.
Recent Changes in Immigration Laws
On March 1, 2023, the Canadian government announced that a group of immigrants, especially Iranian citizens, are allowed to convert their tourist visas to work visas as open work permits without needing to register in the LMIA program or having a job offer. This new rule was initially a temporary exception valid only until February 2024 but has been extended until the end of this year and then until February 2025.
Job Opportunities in 2024
The best job opportunities in Canada for 2024 include:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Specialist
- Information Technology and Data Processing Specialist
- Business Intelligence Development
- Research and Development
- Software Engineering and Architecture
- Data Analyst
- Robotics Engineer
- Graphic Design
- Content Creation and SEO
- Cybersecurity
- Nursing
Using New Technologies in the Visa Conversion Process
You do not necessarily need to visit in person to convert your tourist visa; you can complete the entire process online and remotely.
Attention to Deadlines and Timelines
The law allowing the conversion of Canadian tourist visas to work visas has been extended until February 2025. Therefore, if you wish to experience one of the easiest and best ways to migrate for work to Canada, now is the time.
Also Read: Immigration to Canada through Investment + Investment Visa Requirements
Final Thoughts
In the past, it was nearly impossible to convert a Canadian tourist visa to a work visa. However, the new regulations and exceptions for certain immigrants (especially Iranians) have made this possibility a reality. Today, as an Iranian immigrant, you have a high chance of converting your Canadian tourist visa to a work visa. All you need to do is travel to Canada as a tourist and then apply for a work visa directly from within the country.
In this article, we aimed to provide a general overview of all the necessary processes for this task. We hope you find this information useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Until when can a Canadian tourist visa be converted to a work visa?
This program is currently extended until February 2025, but there is a possibility for further extensions.
Where can I find a job in Canada?
You can start your job search even from within Iran. Many Canadian job search websites or platforms like LinkedIn offer suitable job opportunities. If you begin negotiations beforehand, you can more easily advance the hiring process once you are in Canada.
Are there other ways to convert a tourist visa to permanent residency in Canada?
Yes, if you have a Canadian spouse or sponsor, you can enter Canada as a tourist and then apply for permanent residency. Additionally, it is also possible to convert a tourist visa to a student visa.
