Canada offers a wide range of temporary visas and permits to accommodate visitors, students, workers, and families from around the world. Understanding the available options is crucial for anyone planning a short-term stay or looking to explore pathways to permanent residency. This 2025 guide provides a detailed overview of the main types of temporary visas for Canada, their eligibility criteria, application processes, and key considerations for applicants.

• Canada’s temporary visas cover tourism, study, work, family visits, and special programs.
• Each visa category has specific eligibility requirements and permitted activities.
• Temporary visas do not provide permanent resident status, but some can lead to PR visa options.
• Applicants may need to submit biometrics and obtain electronic travel authorizations (ETAs) depending on their nationality.
• Understanding the differences between temporary and permanent Canadian immigration pathways is essential for future planning.

1. Types of Temporary Visas in Canada
2. Eligibility and Requirements
3. Application Process for Temporary Visas
4. Work Permits: Working Temporarily in Canada
5. Study Permits and Student Visas
6. Family and Super Visa Options
7. Special Temporary Programs
8. Pros and Cons of Canadian Temporary Visas
9. Temporary Visa Statistics in Canada
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Conclusion

Canada’s visa policy distinguishes between several non-immigrant visas, each designed for a specific purpose. Here’s a comprehensive list of the main types of temporary residents visas (TRVs) and permits:

< h3 id = “visitor-visa-temporary-resident-visa-trv” > 1. Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV)

• Canada Visitor Visa: For tourism, visiting family or friends, or short-term business visits. Also known as a tourist visa or temporary resident visa.
• Super Visa: Specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Allows multiple entries for up to 10 years, with extended stays per visit.

< h3 id = “study-permit” > 2. Study Permit

• Canada Student Visa: For international students enrolled in designated learning institutions.
• Study Permit on Arrival: In limited cases, eligible students can apply at the port of entry.

< h3 id = “work-permits” > 3. Work Permits

• Canada Work Visa: For foreign nationals with a job offer from a Canadian employer.
• Open Work Permit: Allows work for any employer in Canada (e.g., spouses of students or skilled workers).
• Employer-Specific Work Permit: Tied to a specific employer and job offer.
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): For international students who have completed eligible programs in Canada.
• NAFTA Professionals: Special provisions for citizens of the United States and Mexico under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
• International Experience Canada (IEC): Includes Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op categories for youth from partner countries.

< h3 id = “other-temporary-visas” > 4. Other Temporary Visas

• Business Visitor Visa: For short-term business activities without entering the Canadian labour market.
• Parents and Grandparents Super Visa: A long-term, multiple-entry visa for family reunification.
• Transit Visa: For travelers passing through Canada en route to another country.

Each temporary visa type has unique eligibility criteria, but some general requirements apply across most categories:

• Valid passport from a visa-required country or eligible for an electronic travel authorization (ETA).
• Proof of ties to home country (e.g., employment, family, property).
• Sufficient funds for the duration of stay in Canada.
• Clear criminal and immigration history.
• Medical exam and biometrics (fingerprints and photo) may be required.

Applicants from certain countries may need to provide additional documentation as per the visa policy of Canada.

The application process for a Canada temporary visa generally involves the following steps:

1. Determine the appropriate visa type based on the purpose of visit.
2. Gather required documents (passport, proof of funds, invitation letter, etc.).
3. Complete the application for visitor visa, study permit, or work permit online or through a visa application centre.
4. Pay the application fee and, if required, a biometrics fee.
5. Attend a biometrics appointment, if applicable.
6. Await a decision and, if approved, receive the visa or permit. Some applicants may also need to obtain an ETA.

Processing times vary based on the type of visa, applicant’s country of residence, and time of year. For example, Canada work permit processing can be faster for NAFTA professionals or those under the International Experience Canada program.

• Employer-Specific: Requires a job offer and sometimes a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
• Open Work Permit: Does not require a specific job offer; common for spouses of students or skilled workers.
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): For international students who have graduated from eligible Canadian institutions. The PGWP can be valid for up to three years.
• International Experience Canada (IEC): Includes Working Holiday (open work permit), Young Professionals (employer-specific), and International Co-op (internship).

< h3 id = “eligibility-for-work-permits” > Eligibility for Work Permits

• Valid job offer (where required).
• Proof of qualifications and experience.
• Medical exam and biometrics, if necessary.
• For IEC, applicants must be from a partner country and meet age requirements (usually 18-35).

Work permit holders are considered temporary residents and must leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay unless they obtain a PR visa.

Canada remains a top destination for international students, offering quality education and post-graduation opportunities.

< h3 id = “key-features” > Key Features

• Study Permit: Required for programs longer than six months at a designated learning institution.
• Canada Student Visa: Often used interchangeably with study permit, but the latter is the official document.
• Work While Studying: Most international students can work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during breaks.
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Allows graduates to gain Canadian work experience, a valuable step towards permanent residency.

< h3 id = “application-tips” > Application Tips

• Secure a letter of acceptance before applying.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition, living expenses, and return travel.
• Be prepared for an interview or additional documentation requests.

Canada offers multiple pathways for families to visit or stay temporarily:

• Visitor Visa: For short-term family visits.
• Super Visa: Designed for parents and grandparents, allowing extended visits (up to two years per entry) and multiple entries for up to 10 years.
• Parent and Grandparent Visa: Sometimes referred to as the super visa, this is distinct from permanent sponsorship programs.

Super visa applicants must provide proof of private medical insurance and a letter of financial support from their Canadian host.

Certain groups and situations have unique temporary visa programs:

• International Experience Canada (IEC): Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op for youth mobility.
• NAFTA (CUSMA) Professionals: Streamlined work permit process for eligible U.S. and Mexican professionals.
• Business Immigration: Business visitors can attend meetings or conferences but cannot enter the Canadian labour market.
• Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): For individuals who are otherwise inadmissible but have a valid reason to be in Canada temporarily.

• Access to world-class education, work, and travel opportunities.
• Potential to gain Canadian experience, which may benefit future PR visa applications.
• Family reunification options through visitor and super visas.
• Flexible programs for youth and professionals (IEC, NAFTA/CUSMA).

< h3 id = “cons” > Cons

• Temporary status; does not guarantee permanent residency.
• Strict eligibility and documentation requirements.
• Processing times and fees can vary significantly.
• Some permits restrict work or study activities.

• In 2025, Canada issued over 900,000 work permits and 550,000 study permits to international students and skilled workers.
• Visitor visa approvals rebounded post-pandemic, with millions of entries recorded in 2025.
• The International Experience Canada (IEC) program accepts over 40,000 youth participants annually from partner countries.
• Super visa applications remain popular, with tens of thousands of approvals each year.

These figures highlight the demand and diversity of Canada’s temporary resident visa programs.

A temporary resident visa (TRV) allows you to stay in Canada for a limited period for tourism, study, or work. A permanent resident (PR) visa grants the right to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely, with a pathway to citizenship.

< h3 id = “can-i-extend-my-temporary-visa-or-permit-in-canada” > Can I extend my temporary visa or permit in Canada?

Yes, many temporary visas and permits can be extended from within Canada, provided you apply before your current status expires and meet eligibility requirements.

< h3 id = “how-do-biometrics-and-etas-work-for-canadian-visas” > How do biometrics and ETAs work for Canadian visas?

Biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) are required for most applicants from visa-required countries. Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) are mandatory for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada.

< h3 id = “is-it-possible-to-transition-from-a-temporary-visa-to-permanent-residence” > Is it possible to transition from a temporary visa to permanent residence?

Yes, certain temporary visa holders (such as skilled workers or PGWP holders) may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through Canadian immigration pathways like Express Entry or provincial nominee programs.

< h3 id = “what-is-the-parents-and-grandparents-super-visa” > What is the parents and grandparents super visa?

The super visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, allowing stays of up to two years per visit.

Canada’s diverse range of temporary visas and permits makes it one of the most accessible countries for visitors, students, workers, and families seeking short-term stays. Understanding the differences between each visa type, eligibility criteria, and application procedures is essential for a successful Canadian experience. Whether you aim to study, work, reunite with family, or explore the country, choosing the right temporary visa is the first step toward your Canadian journey—and for many, a potential pathway to permanent residency in the future.