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Canadian Immigration (cont.)
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Overview, page 1
Canadian Student Visa
People wishing to enter Canada to undertake study
in an academic, professional, or vocational course, or who are
intending to attend university or similar authorized institutions
are eligible to do so under the Canadian Student Visa.
The course in question must be of a duration
of no less than 6 months with at least 24 hours instruction each
week and is provided by a government recognized institution.
To qualify for the Canadian Student Visa the
applicant must obtain from the institution he or she wishes to
study at a letter of acceptance to a recognized course, have paid
the appropriate fees for the course, demonstrate that the applicant
has sufficient funds to support them for the duration of their
studying period without resorting to employment within Canada,
and to hold a return ticket out of Canada at a date before their
Student Visa expires. Additionally, where necessary, a letter
of consent from the government of the province where the applicant
will be studying will be required - the school providing the course
should be able to confirm the need for such consent.
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Students who wish to study in
Canada for longer than 6 months may be required to undertake a
medical examination – this is the same condition for all
visitors to Canada who wish to stay longer than 6 months. Students
are also not permitted to undertake employment (as a general rule
of thumb, although there are exceptions to this rule) while in
Canada on a Student Visa.
Canadian Working Permits
Just under 100,000 people annually enter Canada
to work for limited periods of time. Generally speaking these
people have professions where skilled labour is in shortage in
Canada, however there are opportunities for holidaymakers to supplement
their travel experiences also with paid employment.
To qualify for a work permit in Canada you must have a valid offer
of employment from a Canadian company, and that offer must be
authorized by the HRDC
(Human Resources Development Canada). The employer will have
to meet all the criteria for sponsoring an immigrant and satisfy
the authorities that the work that you will carry out will not
be disadvantaging similarly qualified Canadian workers. Once a
HRDC representative confirms that only you, as a foreign worker,
can fill the position, and that by doing so it will be a net gain
to Canada, you may apply for a work permit. The HRDC will send
to your local Canadian permit office a copy of their report and
your employer should send to your local Canadian immigration office
a copy of the HRDC’s confirmation of the job letter, and
the job offer to you. You are not permitted to apply for a work
permit in Canada.
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A work permit is a non-immigration permit. It
is for the purposes of working in Canada for a set period of time,
and then you must leave Canada. To that end, you must also satisfy
a Canadian immigration officer that you intend to be in Canada
only for the duration of your employment, and that you will return
to your homeland when, or before, the period of your work permit
expires. You cannot get a work permit to travel to Canada to look
for work.
Depending on the type of work and the length
of stay that you intend to do in Canada, you may be asked to attend
an interview to discuss the matter further and you may also be
asked to complete a medical examination. The costs of these are
your responsibility.
One thing to bear in mind is that although you
may have received a work permit you may still be refused entry
to Canada by a Port of Entry official. You may need to demonstrate
that your intentions are to reside in Canada temporarily, and
that you intend to return to your homeland once your period of
employment is over.
Once you arrive in Canada you need a Social Insurance
Number - this is a requirement in order to work in Canada. You
can request a Social Insurance Number application form at the
Port of Entry where you arrive in Canada or from the HRDC later.
Once you have filled out these forms, they must be sent to the
HRDC and you will receive your SIN later by post. You then give
this to your employer.
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