Temporary residency

The TFWP regulates the hire of foreign workers by Canadian employers. In most cases, the employer must first demonstrate his incapacity to hire a local worker to fill the job position. This demonstration takes the form of a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and must be deposit to Service Canada. 

Once the positive LMIA is obtain, the worker can ask for a closed work permit which allows him to work exclusively for the designed employer. For jobs located inside of the province of Quebec, a request for the Quebec acceptation certificate (CAQ) is also needed.

The IMP allows certain foreigners to obtain a work permit without needing an LMIA. These exemptions are intended to support Canada’s economic, social and cultural interests and include: 

• International agreements (ex: the CUSMA, the GATS, the CETA); 
• Work permits for spouses of certain workers or students; 
•  Applicants for permanent residence in certain categories; 
• Post-graduation work permit for candidates who have completed eligible studies/formations in Canada; 
• Work permit for French-speaking workers in Canada (outside of Quebec); 
• Employees of religious or charitable organizations. 

 Depending on the case, it is possible to obtain a closed work permit exempt from an LMIA, or an open work permit, allowing to work for any employer in Canada.

Every situation is unique, admissibility criteria vary according to your profile, the job offered, and the desired program. We guide you with the most effective strategy for your professional immigration journey, whether you are a worker, an employer or an HR consultant. 

Contact us to obtain a personalized evaluation or to discuss your options.

If you do not submit an application before the expiration of your status, you may fall in an irregular situation, which means you could hold a legal status in Canada. In principle, a person without status is required to leave Canada in order to comply with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. However, the Law foresees a 90-day grace period starting at the date of the expiration to submit a restoration of status application. 

During this period, you are not authorized to work or study, but you may remain in Canada while your restoration application is being processed.

If the 90-days period has passed without any action being taken, it is no longer possible to apply for a restoration of status. In principle, when a person does not have legal status in Canada, she is then required to leave Canada in order to comply with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

However, in certain exceptional situations, other avenues for regularization may be considered:

• an application for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds;
• sponsorship by a family member in Canada;
• an application for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).

Losing your status can have significant consequences on your personal and professional plans. It is therefore crucial to act quickly and receive thorough legal support to restore your status or explore other regularization options.

Contact us for a confidential and personalized assessment of your situation.

If you want to study in Quebec, an additional step is required: you must first obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ- studies) delivered by the government of Quebec, before submitting a request to the federal government for a study visa. 

The study permit is accompanied by strict conditions that the student must comply with throughout the duration of their studies. These conditions include: 

• Making studies their main activity; 
•  Being enrolled, full-time, except in some cases where exceptions apply; 
• Comply with the restrictions relating to work which vary depending on the type of program, level of study, and the student’s status.

In the case of a request to extend the study permit, the student must demonstrate that they have fulfilled all their obligations (including those related to the CAQ) and provide justification for the need to extend their stay.

Choosing a study program should not be only based on the short-term factors. It is essential to plan your path considering future goals such as: 

• The admissibility to the work permit post-graduation; 
• The possibilities to access permanent residency after the completion of the studies; 
• The transition options to the Canadian labor market. 

A good upstream planning prevents costly mistakes and allows you to optimize your chances of success, both in your academic goals and in your immigration journey.

We support foreign students, their parents or their respondents at all stages of the process: choice of program, CAQ application, study permit application, renewal, change of conditions, and postgraduation strategy. 

Contact us for a consultation and a comprehensive assessment of your case

Some nationalities are visa-exempt: their nationals can travel to Canada with an electronic travel authorization (eTA), provided they enter by air and meet the conditions provided by the Act. The stay is usually limited to six months as well. 

The law provides specific provisions for certain categories of visitors who may qualify for a longer stay or a specific status, such as:

• religious visitors;
• individuals coming as part of exchange programs;
• family caregivers in certain situations.

Any visa application or request to extend a stay must be carefully prepared, as the immigration officer will assess, among other things, two key elements:

• A clear justification for the purpose of the visit;
• Proof of planned return to the country of origin or country of usual residence, demonstrated through strong ties to this country (employment, family, property, studies, etc.).

A poorly documented application can result in a refusal, even for a short stay.

We support individuals who wish to visit Canada or extend their stay, whether it’s for a family event, a personal project, or a business trip. We help applicants build a strong application and understand your rights and obligations as a visitor.

Contact us to receive advice tailored to your situation.

Certaines nationalités sont exemptées de visa : leurs ressortissants peuvent voyager au Canada en présentant une autorisation de voyage électronique (AVE), à condition qu’ils entrent par voie aérienne et respectent les conditions prévues par la Loi. Le séjour est généralement limité à six mois également.

La loi prévoit des dispositions particulières pour certains profils de visiteurs, qui peuvent justifier d’un séjour plus long ou d’un statut spécifique, par exemple :

• les visiteurs religieux ;
• les personnes venues dans le cadre de programmes d’échange ;
• les aidants familiaux dans certaines situations.

Toute demande de visa ou d’extension de séjour doit être soigneusement préparée, car l’agent d’immigration évaluera deux éléments essentiels :

1. La justification claire du motif de visite ;
2. La preuve d’un retour prévu au pays d’origine, à travers des liens solides avec le pays de résidence (emploi, famille, biens, études, etc.).

Un dossier mal documenté peut entraîner un refus, même pour un court séjour.

Nous accompagnons les personnes qui souhaitent visiter le Canada ou prolonger leur séjour, que ce soit pour un événement familial, un projet personnel, ou un voyage d’affaires. Nous vous aidons à structurer une demande solide et à comprendre vos droits et obligations en tant que visiteur.

Contactez-nous pour obtenir des conseils adaptés à votre situation