Process, Place and Cost to Enter Canada

Process:  

Most academic visitors need a work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to work in Canada temporarily.  Visitors from certain countries  also need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to enter Canada.

Assess if your visitor will require a work permit:

• Academics who do NOT require a work permit - CIC categories
• Academics who require a work permit - CIC categories

Academic visitors described in the categories above do not require a labour market opinion (LMO) from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC).

For application forms for work permits and further details on the process visit this web site:

• Citizenship and Immigration

Place:

Academic visitors can apply for a work permit upon entering Canada at a "port of entry" (an airport, sea port or land border) if the following requirements are met:

• they are Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) exempt. 
• they do not need a medical 
• the work they will be doing does not need a Labour Market Opinion - none of the categories described on this page require an LMO.

Find out which countries require a Temporary Resident Visa. Be sure to check the list regularly. Requirements change!

Academic visitors who do not qualify to apply for a work permit at a port of entry must select the visa office that serves their country of residence, their country of nationality, or the country where they have been legally admitted. CIC offices are listed at the link below:

• List of visa posts

Visa posts have varying requirements for documentation. It is therefore extremely important to check the individual web site for the visa post and carefully review their requirements.  The work permit and the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) are issued at the same time.

Cost:

• The cost of a work permit is $150 per person.
• Payment options at Port of Entry: cash, money order (Canadian funds, payable to "Receiver General"), Visa, MasterCard or certified cheque.
• Payment options at the visa post  vary. Check the web site of the individual offices.
• There is no additional fee for the TRV when a work permit is requested.