While it is true that Canada annually attracts thousands of skilled immigrants on potentially permanent basis through its various immigration programs, it attracts an equally impressive number of foreigners on a temporary basis to plug the various short-term personnel gaps in its various industries, as students seeking an education at a reputed Canadian university, or just as tourists.
- Temporary or short-term visas are generally of 3 types: study permits, temporary resident visas (also called visitor visas), and temporary work permits. It is imperative for you to understand the major differences between the ‘temporary resident visa’ and the ‘temporary work permit’. The first legally permits you to reside in Canada for a fixed, short-term duration (generally up to six months), the latter allows you to also take up a job during that time.
- Through the temporary resident visa, you may only take up short-term educational courses that are shorter than the total duration of your visa, only if you had mentioned the same in your visa application form. Temporary resident visas restrict you from applying for long-term educational courses and for that purpose you should ideally look to apply for a study permit and a study visa.
- Temporary visas only guarantee the legal permission to live in Canada for a brief duration and you cannot apply for a Canadian citizenship during this pre-determined period. You are also not entitled to receiving governmental perks such as the country’s universal healthcare scheme. Additionally, you must also convince the authorities that you intend to return to your native country upon the expiry of your visa.
