Temporary Entry
Temporary residents may be authorized to enter and stay in Canada for purposes such as visiting, working, or studying on a temporary basis. Navigating the process effectively requires choosing the right strategy tailored to your specific circumstances. With over 500 different categories and subcategories for temporary residency, it is essential to understand the options and requirements. At BARTLAW LLP, our experienced immigration lawyers provide expert guidance through this complex legal framework, ensuring that your application is handled with precision to increase your likelihood of success.
Applications for temporary status are becoming increasingly complex, with heightened requirements and significant risks if not prepared with knowledge of the various relevant regulations. At BARTLAW LLP, we assist clients by ensuring that all documentation is complete and that they meet the legal requirements for a smooth and successful entry and stay.
To determine which visa and/or temporary status option may be available, please review the categories below. Our firm is available to assist and answer any questions you may have concerning the vast array of Canadian visas.
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- Temporary Resident Visas
- Visitor Records
- Study Permits
- Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA)
- Work Permits
- Work Permit Exempt Business Visitors
- Remote Work Authorization
- Accompanying family members
- Public policy applications
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a mandatory entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. Linked electronically to the traveler’s passport, the eTA permits temporary visits for tourism, business, or transit. While most eTAs are processed swiftly, it is critical to ensure the accuracy of the application. Canadian and U.S. citizens and permanent residents (among others) are exempt from requiring an eTA.
Temporary Resident Visas (TRV)
A temporary resident visa (TRV) is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that permits foreign nationals to enter Canada for a limited time, when they are not eligible for an eTA. TRVs are required for individuals intending to visit, study, or work in Canada temporarily. A TRV alone does not confer legal status in Canada; it only allows entry. For those planning to study or work, additional permits (study or work permits) may be required prior to travel.
Visitor Records
A visitor record allows individuals already in Canada to extend their stay beyond the original entry period. Unlike a visa, a visitor record does not grant entry but allows continued legal presence in Canada for tourists and for other valid reasons. These highly discretionary applications must be submitted before status expires to avoid any interruptions in legal status.
Study Permits
A study permit is required for foreign nationals wishing to pursue education in Canada. Applicants must first be accepted by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and demonstrate sufficient financial resources, as well as the intent to leave Canada upon completing their studies. The Canadian international student program is constantly evolving, particularly in terms of application requirements and eligibility, part-time work eligibility, post-graduation work permit eligibility, and admission limits. It is crucial to submit a comprehensive application and remain in compliance with immigration regulations throughout the duration of the study period.
Work Permits
An LMIA is a document that Canadian employer may require to hire a foreign worker. The LMIA application process is cumbersome because the employer must demonstrate that hiring foreign nationals will not negatively affect the Canadian job market. Employers must meet specific advertising and reporting requirements, in addition to making commitments to protect the Canadian workforce and the foreign worker. There are over 20 different LMIA categories, each with their own regulatory and/or policy requirements. An approved LMIA is typically required before a foreign national can apply for a work permit. An LMIA-based work permit application will require substantial proof related to the requirements for the specific LMIA obtained, in addition to meeting the normal regulatory work permit requirements.
Work Permit-Exempt Business Visitors
In some cases, individuals may qualify to enter Canada without a work permit if they are engaging in specific activities such as after-sales service, guest speaking, or emergency repair work. While these individuals may not require a work permit, they must still secure the proper authorization to enter and work in Canada. Securing the authorization involves a port of entry application with documentation. At BARTLAW LLP, we equip employers and their foreign workers with the necessary authorization application package so that they may enter Canada to complete their assignment.
Remote Work Authorization
Foreign nationals can work remotely for non-Canadian employers while physically located in Canada without requiring a Canadian work permit, if their activities do not involve entering the Canadian labor market. We help ensure compliance with Canadian immigration regulations for individuals seeking remote work arrangements and prepare the necessary entry application documentation to maximize success of approval.
Accompanying Family Members
Certain temporary residents may bring their spouses and dependent children to Canada to study or work. Eligibility depends on factors such as the foreign worker’s occupation or the student’s age and/or program of study. Spousal work and study privileges vary based on labor market conditions and immigration policies, so staying informed about current regulations is essential.
Public Policy Applications
Canada occasionally implements temporary programs in response to crises, conflicts, or labor shortages. Examples include the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel and temporary policies allowing international students to work more than their regular part-time hours per week. BARTLAW LLP is current on these changes and helps clients benefit from these programs without compromising their other immigration options.
At BARTLAW LLP, we ensure our clients have the legal support they need to successfully navigate the intricacies of Canadian temporary residency laws and policies.
“Jacqueline Bart is an excellent immigration lawyer in Canada. Jacqueline is a specialist in immigration law certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada. She is a frequent writer and speaker on immigration law; and more importantly, I can personally attest her awesome client service.”
“Jacqueline Bart, an immigration attorney in Canada who founded the firm BartLaw has impressed me. While her substantive knowledge is superb and would in and of itself be enough to put her in the ranks of impressive, her professionalism, charisma and business intelligence place her in a higher league. I met Jacqueline at an annual conference of the American Immigration Law Association, where she was a speaker and organizer for the Global Migration portion of the event. Again, her substantive knowledge was notable, but I was even more taken by her ability to translate that knowledge to business needs.”
“We will highly recommend you to our colleagues and associates for any further visa applications.”
“Thank you so much for helping me with the Permanent Resident application!”
“I have no regrets – thanks for all the work you have done for me thus far.”
“Thank you very much for your participation in the Employing Foreign Workers program. I am aware of the time and effort you put into preparing and participating in the conference. The response we receive from [the delegates] was very positive. They found the presentations to be both informative and valuable and felt that they gained practical insights from attending the conference. We look forward to inviting you to participate in future programmes and thank you again for helping to make this conference a success.”
“We are extremely grateful for the great work and support that yourself and your team provided during this entire process. Thank you, thank you!”
“We are so lucky to have you and your team dealing with our case. Thanks a lot for your help and support!”
“Many thanks for all your help! We owe you a huge debt of gratitude as this would not have been possible without your help and expertise. A great way to end 2013!”
“Please accept our sincere thanks for your presentation of the distinguished faculty of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. We sincerely appreciate your generosity.”
“I must say I found your professionalism to be very high and will not hesitate to recommend you to anyone having needs related to the Canadian immigration law.”
“As one of our key volunteers, you have substantially contributed to the well-being of the OBA, your Section and the profession.”
“Ms. Bart is my #1 option every time someone asks me to recommend an immigration specialist.”
“For all of my Canadian in-bound issues, I always use Jacqueline Bart in Toronto. Excellent attorney.”
“Very impressed with Jacqueline and her team, so we are happy to keep Bartlaw on our preferred supplier list.”
“Jacqueline is a passionate, knowledgeable, bilingual and well connected immigration law specialist, whom I know through her membership in the prestigious International Network of Boutique Law Firms. She was chosen for the Network because of her outstanding reputation, and is deservedly well liked and respected.”
“Jacqueline is a brilliant strategist and keeps our human resources’ immigration goals on track. She has obtained permanent residence for a number of our employees in 4 months!”
“I know Jacqueline for many years and she has worked for me and my clients on immigration assignments. Jacqueline is an accomplished expert on immigration matters and her service and results are outstanding. I recommend her services with no hesitation.”
“I have worked with many attorneys on 4 continents in my career but Jacqueline tops them all! Her in-depth knowledge, her predictions and her consistent result orientation always delivered a ‘smooth’ path even on rough terrain. Her personal involvement, reliability and trustworthiness are ingredients that make her the perfect ‘partner’ for a client. Jacqueline stays focused on your issues with a high degree of personal responsibility for the outcome providing the highest degree of comfort. I am honoured to have met Jacqueline and every cent spent on her services was well spent and worthwhile.”
“I had the pleasure of using Bartlaw firm in a complex and unique law case. During years that was dealing with the case, I found Jacqueline a true professional and dedicated lawyer who passionately gets involved with details and uses her knowledge to plan the winning strategy no matter how complex the situation is. I strongly recommended her to people that want to ensure no stone left unturned in their legal case and seek justice.”
“Jacqueline is my go-to person in Canada.”
“I am in Canada, my home, today because of Jacqueline. Compassion is not a trait that usually comes to mind when I think of lawyers. However Jacqueline has it in oodles. It is, in my humble opinion, one of the cornerstones of her success. To me she is the best and #1 immigration lawyer in Canada and the world.”
“Jacqueline Bart is top notch, possibly the best Canadian attorney anywhere.”
“Jacqueline Bart at BartLAW is our most highly regarded Canadian Corporate Immigration Lawyer this year [2016]. She provides ‘detailed advice’ and is a ‘real pleasure to work with’ according to our sources.”
When Canada introduced the eTA for entry to Canada, I knew I would be barred future entry due to a 30-year old criminal conviction. I decided to seek legal advice and, by sheer luck, found Jacqueline Bart of immigration law firm, BARTLAW. Jacqueline recommended I apply for rehabilitation from the Canadian government. Her associate lawyer, Annsley Kesten, presented a strong and thorough application on my behalf, vetting all testimonials and suggesting areas and documentary proof that would strengthen my case. Not only did Jacqueline and Annsley support me during the whole process, they also gave strong encouragement not to give up. After two years my rehabilitation was approved, something that I believe would never have happened without their professional insight and robust efforts. I am truly grateful to them both.