As of November 25, 2025, Qatari passport holders no longer need a visitor visa to fly to Canada — they can apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead. That change reflects a wider truth: Canada’s visa system breaks into distinct streams, each with its own eligibility rules, fees, and processing realities. Picking the wrong path can mean a refusal or months of delay. The sections below explain what each option requires.
Visitor Visas and eTAs — who needs which and how to apply
For most travellers, the first question is whether a visa is needed at all. Citizens of visa-exempt countries, such as the UK or Australia, need only an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to Canada, at a cost of CAD 7. As of November 25, 2025, Qatar joined that list. Everyone else must apply for a visitor visa, formally called a temporary resident visa (TRV), which currently costs $100 and is affixed inside the passport.
At a glance
Selecting the correct Canadian visa requires matching your goal to the specific permit or program.
- Visitor visas require proof of funds and intent to leave Canada after your stay
- Study permits allow off-campus work up to 20 hours weekly during academic sessions
- Most employer-specific work permits need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- Express Entry ranks skilled workers for permanent residence based on education and experience
- Apply to extend or change your status before your current permit expires to maintain legal standing
IRCC’s visitor visa page outlines the required documents: a valid passport, proof of funds, and evidence of ties to your home country — employment, property, or family — to satisfy the officer you will leave at the end of your stay. Processing times vary by country, and applicants repeatedly report waits ranging from a few weeks to several months. A common refusal point: insufficient proof of financial support or weak ties to the home country.
Study Permits — the designated learning institution rule and the attestation letter
International students must first be accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI) — a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. After acceptance, the student applies for a study permit through IRCC. Since early 2024, most new applicants must also include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where the DLI is located. The PAL is essentially a cap-management tool; without it, the application will be returned as incomplete.
Once enrolled, study permit holders can usually work off campus up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks. The study permit application fee is $150, and an additional $85 for biometrics, if required. Detailed eligibility criteria are on the study permit page. Relying on your school’s guidance alone is risky — IRCC frequently updates the PAL requirement and processing may stall if your DLI loses its designation mid-process.
Work Permits — employer-specific vs. open and the LMIA requirement
Temporary work permits fall into two broad categories. An employer-specific (closed) work permit ties you to a single employer, location, and often a specific occupation. Most require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — a document from Employment and Social Development Canada showing that no Canadian or permanent resident was available for the job. The employer pays a $1,000 LMIA processing fee and may wait months for a decision. Open work permits, by contrast, do not need a job offer or LMIA, and cover categories such as post-graduation work permits (PGWP), spousal open work permits, and bridging open work permits for those with a pending permanent residence application.
The standard work permit application fee is $155. You can apply online, at a port of entry (in limited circumstances), or from inside Canada if you already have legal status. The official work permit portal helps you identify which type you need. If you’re waiting for a decision on permanent residence and your work permit is about to expire, a bridging open work permit may help you avoid a gap in status — we covered that process in our BOWP guide.
Immigration Pathways — Express Entry and federal economic programs
For those aiming for permanent residence, the main online system is Express Entry. It manages three federal programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades. Candidates create a profile and are scored using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). IRCC holds regular draws, often biweekly, inviting the highest-scoring candidates to apply. In 2023, category-based selection started prioritizing applicants with specific work experience in healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, and French-language proficiency — meaning a lower CRS score can sometimes be enough if your occupation is in demand.
To enter the pool, most candidates need a language test (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF for French) and a credential assessment for foreign degrees. While a job offer is not mandatory, a valid job offer supported by an LMIA adds 50 or 200 CRS points. For those with at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience, the Canadian Experience Class stream often provides a faster route — we explained how Canadian work experience accelerates the path in a separate article. Full program details are on the Express Entry page.
Choosing the right visa category from the start avoids wasted fees and lost time — always match the application to your primary purpose, because misrepresenting your intent can trigger a five-year ban for misrepresentation.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
