Convert Visitor Visa to Work Permit Canada in 2025-2026: A Comprehensive Guide

Last Updated On : May 07 , 2025

Are you in Canada right now on a visitor's visa and are you curious in the potential of working there? You're not by yourself. An allure for many foreign tourists to Canada is the prospect of staying longer and making a contribution to the country's workforce.

With an emphasis on the most recent data for 2025-2026, we'll go over how to convert Visitor visa to a work permit in Canada in this tutorial.

Understanding Visitor Visas and Work Permits

Before going any further with the Canadian visitor visa to work permit conversion process, let's understand what is meant by "Canada work permit" and "Canada visitor visa":

Canada Visitor Visa: Enables you to go to, and remain temporarily in Canada for leisure, business, or family visits. It prevents you from being employed in Canada.

Work Permit: Permits a foreign national to work in a specific field or for a designated employer in Canada.

Can I Convert a Visitor Visa to a Work Permit?

No, But Here are the simplified alternative steps to get

1. Determine Your Eligibility

• Meet the general eligibility conditions for a work permit
• Qwn an official employment offer from a Canadian company
• Have a valid tourist status.

2. Obtain a Job Offer

Obtain a valid job offer from a Canadian business. If the position isn't excluded from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), the employer might need to get one.

3. Gather Required Documents

Gather all required paperwork, such as:

• A duplicate of your valid visitor's visa
• Evidence of your present immigration status to Canada
• A valid contract or offer of employment
• Certificates of education and employment history
• Passport
• Documentation of income

4. Submit Your Application

Using the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, submit an online application for a work permit. Make sure all the information is accurate and thorough to avoid delays. 

5. Pay the Fees 

• CAD $155 is the work permit application charge.
• If applicable, an open work permit holder cost of $100CAD

6. Wait for Processing

Canada visitor visa processing times vary. As of 2024, applications for work permits from within Canada often take 4 to 12 weeks to process, though this might vary depending on a number of variables.

Benefits of Converting Your Visitor Visa to a Work Permit

1. Extended Stay: You can stay in Canada for a longer amount of time if you have a work visa.
2. Professional Development: Acquire worthwhile work experience in Canada.
3. Financial Stability: Make money while you're in the country.
4. Pathway to Permanent Residency: If you ever want to seek permanent residency, your professional experience in Canada may come in handy.

Frequently Faced Challenges and Their Solutions

1. Expired Visitor Status: In order to retain your legal status while your work permit application is being processed, you may need to apply for a visitor record if your visitor status is due to expire.
2. LMIA regulations: If required, collaborate with your prospective employer to make sure they are aware of and abide by LMIA regulations.
3. Document Verification: Verify the accuracy of all your documents by having them correctly translated and, if necessary, notarised.

Conclusion

In Canada, converting a guest visa into a work permit is a procedure that needs to be planned carefully and followed in accordance with immigration laws. For individuals wishing to establish a career in Canada, it provides substantial potential in addition to its obstacles.