Thinking about moving from a visitor visa (TRV) to a Canadian work permit in 2025? If you secure a valid job offer from a compliant Canadian employer and keep your status valid, you can apply from inside Canada for an employer-specific work permit (and in limited cases an open work permit). This guide is a step-by-step, transactional playbook: eligibility, documents, timelines, costs, and exact actions to take so you can transition quickly and legally.
Why Convert Your Visitor Visa to a Work Permit in 2025
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Work legally, earn Canadian wages: Access roles across healthcare, tech, trades, logistics, hospitality, and construction.
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PR pathways later: Canadian work experience can support Express Entry (CEC), PNPs, or employer-driven provincial streams.
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Apply from inside Canada: If you’re in status and meet IRCC rules, you do not need to leave Canada to submit the work-permit application.
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Faster integration: A work permit lets you obtain a SIN, contribute to CPP/EI, and build local references that improve long-term immigration prospects.
Understanding Status: Visitor vs Work Permit
What a Visitor Visa (TRV) Allows
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Entry for tourism, business visits, or family visits—typically up to 6 months per entry.
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No paid work without authorization.
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You must remain in status while you prepare and file a work-permit application.
What a Work Permit Allows
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Legal employment for a specified employer (employer-specific) or, in specific categories, any employer (open work permit).
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Usually tied to your job offer duration (often up to two years at a time, renewable).
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Includes explicit conditions (employer, occupation, work location, validity dates).
Can You Convert a Visitor Visa to a Work Permit in 2025?
Yes—if you meet IRCC requirements. The most common route is an employer-specific work permit supported by:
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A positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), or
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An LMIA-exempt code (e.g., intra-company transferees, certain free-trade agreements, significant benefit, religious/charitable workers, academic posts).
Your core tasks are: maintain legal status, secure a compliant job offer, and file a complete application before your visitor status expires.
Eligibility Checklist (Pass/Fail)
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Valid Temporary Resident Status: You’re currently in Canada and your visitor status has not expired (or you’ve applied to extend it).
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Genuine Job Offer: Full-time, non-seasonal role with clear title, duties, wage, hours, and location that aligns with a NOC TEER classification.
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Employer Compliance: Employer can hire foreign workers (LMIA approved or LMIA-exempt, paid employer compliance fee where required, and submitted an Offer of Employment through the Employer Portal for LMIA-exempt streams).
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No Unauthorized Work: You have not worked without authorization while on visitor status.
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Admissibility: You meet medical, criminal, and security requirements.
If any item above is a “no,” fix it first (extend status, change employer, correct documents) before you file.
Step-by-Step: Convert Visitor to Work Permit (Inside Canada)
Step 1: Secure a Compliant Job Offer
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Target employers familiar with LMIA or LMIA-exempt hiring.
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Ensure the written offer/contract includes: title, duties, NOC-level scope, wage, hours, location, benefits, and start date conditional on work-permit approval.
Step 2: Confirm the Hiring Path (LMIA vs LMIA-Exempt)
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LMIA route: Employer applies to ESDC; processing often 2–8+ weeks. Employer pays the $1,000 CAD LMIA fee and completes advertising (unless exempt within LMIA streams).
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LMIA-exempt route: Employer files an Offer of Employment in the Employer Portal, pays $230 CAD compliance fee, and gives you the A-number (offer ID).
Step 3: Keep Your Status Valid
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If your entry stamp or visitor record will expire soon, apply to extend visitor status (Visitor Record). Maintaining status avoids gaps and lets you stay while IRCC processes your work-permit application.
Step 4: Gather Documents (Applicant)
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Passport (all biographic pages and any visas/stamps).
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Current immigration status proof (entry stamp or visitor record).
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Job offer/contract and, if applicable, LMIA approval letter or LMIA-exempt offer ID.
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Education/credentials and relevant licenses, if required by occupation or province.
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Work history letters (duties, hours, wage) to show you can perform the role.
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Digital photo meeting IRCC specs.
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Police certificates and medical exam (if IRCC requests, or upfront where advisable for certain occupations).
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Proof of relationship for accompanying family (if applying together) and their forms.
Step 5: Apply Online to IRCC (From Inside Canada)
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Create/Sign in to your IRCC secure account.
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Choose “Apply for a work permit from inside Canada.”
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Complete forms (IMM 5710 or online equivalents) and upload documents.
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Pay fees: $155 CAD work-permit fee + $85 CAD biometrics (if needed).
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Submit and keep the submission confirmation and fee receipts.
Step 6: Biometrics, Medicals, and Requests
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If required, give biometrics at a VAC/Service Canada location.
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Complete medical exams with a panel physician if requested or prudent for your occupation.
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Respond promptly to IRCC additional document requests.
Step 7: Approval and Work Authorization
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You’ll receive an approval notice in your IRCC account and, if granted, a work permit document specifying conditions.
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Apply for your SIN and start work only in line with permit conditions (employer, occupation, location).
Processing Times and Fees (Typical Ranges)
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LMIA processing: ~2–8+ weeks (varies by stream and region).
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In-Canada work-permit processing: ~4–12+ weeks after a complete file is submitted (varies by caseload and stream).
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IRCC fees (applicant): $155 CAD (work permit) + $85 CAD (biometrics, if applicable).
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Employer fees: $1,000 CAD per LMIA position, or $230 CAD Employer Portal compliance fee for LMIA-exempt hires.
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Third-party costs: Medical exam ($200–$400), translations ($25–$60/page), courier as needed.
Tip: file a complete application and keep status valid to avoid refusal or delays.
Document Checklist (Copy/Paste)
Applicant
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Passport (valid beyond intended work-permit end date)
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Current Canadian status proof (stamp/visitor record)
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Digital photo (IRCC spec)
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Resume/CV and degree/diplomas/certificates
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Work reference letters with duties aligned to the NOC
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Police certificates (if requested)
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Upfront medical (only if recommended for your role)
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Marriage/birth certificates for family members (if applying)
Employer
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LMIA decision letter (if LMIA-based), or
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LMIA-exempt Offer of Employment ID (A-number) and compliance fee receipt
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Detailed job offer/contract with duties, wage, hours, location
High-Demand, LMIA-Friendly or LMIA-Exempt Scenarios
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Intra-Company Transfer (ICT): If you work for a multinational with a Canadian affiliate, you might qualify for LMIA-exempt ICT.
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CUSMA/CETA/Other FTAs: Citizens of treaty countries in eligible professions may be LMIA-exempt.
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Significant Benefit (R205): For roles demonstrating social, cultural, or economic benefit (case-by-case).
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Academic/Research/Religious/Charitable: Several sub-categories permit LMIA exemptions.
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Caregivers/Healthcare/Skilled Trades: Often LMIA-based but in demand; employers are accustomed to the process.
Common Problems—and How to Fix Them
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Status expiring soon: File a visitor record extension before expiry; submit the work-permit application as soon as your LMIA/offer ID is ready.
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Weak job offer: Ensure the offer has market-rate wage, detailed duties matching your NOC, and full-time hours.
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Wrong NOC mapping: Align your background and job duties to the correct TEER level; revise letters to reflect actual responsibilities truthfully.
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Unauthorized work: Stop immediately. Provide a clear explanation in your application if there was an error; future compliance is critical.
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Employer not set up: Ask the employer to complete the Employer Portal registration (LMIA-exempt) or start the LMIA process early.
How to Choose the Right Employer (Fast Due Diligence)
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Has the employer hired foreign workers before?
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Are wages at or above the provincial median for the occupation?
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Will they handle LMIA or Employer Portal steps promptly?
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Do they provide a clear, written contract?
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Can they start you promptly once the permit is issued?
Timeline You Can Expect (Typical)
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Week 0–2: Interviews and offer; employer starts LMIA or files LMIA-exempt offer.
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Week 2–8: LMIA processed (or immediate if LMIA-exempt).
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Week 4–12: You file the in-Canada work-permit application and complete biometrics/medicals as needed.
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Week 8–20+: IRCC decision; work-permit issuance and start date coordinated.
FAQs
Do I need to leave Canada to get a work permit?
No. If you hold valid status and meet eligibility, you can apply from inside Canada.
Can I work while the application is processing?
Not unless you are otherwise authorized. In most visitor-to-work cases you must wait for the work permit to be issued before starting.
Do I always need an LMIA?
No. Some categories are LMIA-exempt (e.g., ICT, certain FTA professionals, significant benefit). Otherwise, you’ll likely need an LMIA.
Can my spouse and children join me?
Spouses and dependent children may be eligible for open work permits or study permits depending on your job type and province. Include them in the same application where appropriate.
What if my visitor status expires soon?
Apply to extend your stay as a visitor before expiry. Maintaining status is essential while you prepare your work-permit file.
Clear Next Steps
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Lock a compliant job offer with full-time hours, market-rate wage, and detailed duties.
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Confirm hiring path: LMIA vs LMIA-exempt. Have your employer complete their part (LMIA or Employer Portal).
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Extend status if needed to stay in status while you apply.
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Assemble a complete document pack (see checklist) and file online to IRCC with correct fees.
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Complete biometrics/medical promptly, respond to any IRCC requests, and wait for the approval letter and work-permit document.
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Get your SIN and start work strictly within permit conditions.