The Canadian government has warned foreign nationals that a visitor visa or electronic travel authorisation does not grant them the right to work in the country.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC, gave the clarification on Thursday, stressing that most foreign nationals seeking employment in Canada must obtain a valid work permit and meet the applicable eligibility requirements before starting work.
“Having an electronic travel authorisation or visitor visa does not give you the right to work in Canada,” the agency said in guidance shared through its official X account.
The clarification is aimed at foreign nationals who may mistakenly assume that permission to enter Canada as a visitor automatically allows them to take up employment.
According to IRCC, a visitor visa or eTA only permits eligible travellers to seek entry into Canada as visitors and does not constitute authorisation to work.
Foreign nationals planning to work in the country are therefore required to determine the type of work permit applicable to their circumstances and confirm their eligibility before accepting employment.
Canada operates two major categories of work permits — employer-specific and open work permits.
An employer-specific work permit generally requires a job offer and limits the holder to working under the conditions stated on the permit, including the specified employer and, in some cases, location and type of employment.
An open work permit, where available, does not generally require a specific job offer but is restricted to applicants who fall within categories eligible for the permit.
IRCC said prospective applicants should first determine which category applies to them before submitting an application.
Foreign nationals can apply for a Canadian work permit from outside Canada, from within the country or, in some circumstances, at a port of entry.
However, IRCC noted that eligibility for each application route varies according to the applicant’s circumstances.
Applicants can begin the process by signing into their IRCC account and reviewing the requirements applicable to their situation.
They can also check current processing times and monitor their application status through the Canadian government’s immigration website.
For foreigners seeking employment, Canada’s Job Bank also provides information on available opportunities, including positions open to foreign candidates.
IRCC further said special work permit provisions apply to certain categories of workers, including international graduates, students, participants in International Experience Canada programmes and some family members of foreign workers.
Some foreign nationals may also work in Canada without a work permit under specific exemptions.
The agency, however, advised applicants to verify whether they qualify for any exemption before commencing employment.
It said after obtaining a work permit, foreign workers may need to meet additional requirements, including obtaining a Social Insurance Number and complying with the conditions attached to their permits.
They are also entitled to workplace protections and labour standards applicable to foreign workers in Canada.
IRCC said foreign workers experiencing workplace abuse can access government procedures for reporting abusive employers.
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The agency also provides guidance on extending work permits, changing employers where permitted, restoring legal status and exploring pathways that may eventually lead to permanent residence.
The Canadian government further warned that working without the required authorisation could have serious immigration consequences.
It urged foreign nationals not to rely on visitor visas or eTAs as permission to work in Canada.
The government advised prospective workers to use official immigration channels to determine their eligibility and secure the appropriate work authorisation before taking up employment.
The distinction, according to IRCC, is straightforward: a Canadian visitor visa or eTA permits travel as a visitor but does not, on its own, authorise employment.
