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Canada Immigration FAQ Hub
These are the most common questions people ask when applying for a Canadian visa, study permit, work permit, or permanent residency.
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Most refusals are due to insufficient ties to your home country, weak travel history, or unclear purpose of visit. We recommend ordering your GCMS notes to understand exactly why.
You must prove you’ve spent at least 730 days in Canada in the last five years. We help prepare strong documentation, and if needed, support Humanitarian & Compassionate explanations.
GCMS notes reveal how your application was reviewed by IRCC. They’re essential for understanding visa refusals and planning your next steps effectively.
H&C grounds allow people without status to apply for PR if they face exceptional hardship or have deep ties to Canada. These applications are complex but life-changing when successful.
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TRV Visa category
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Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a visitor visa required for nationals of certain countries to enter Canada for tourism, visiting family, or business. It must be applied for before travel.
Most visitors are allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months. The actual length of stay is determined by the border officer upon entry.
Yes, you can apply for a visitor record before your current status expires. The extension must be justified with clear reasons and supporting documents.
You typically need a valid passport, proof of financial support, travel itinerary, ties to your home country, and an invitation letter if visiting family.
There is no fixed amount, but you must demonstrate that you can support yourself during your stay. Proof of funds like bank statements is essential.
Common reasons include lack of travel history, insufficient ties to your home country, unclear purpose of visit, or financial concerns. GCMS notes can clarify the exact reason.
Yes. It’s best to review your GCMS notes to understand the refusal and then reapply with improved documents and explanations.
No. A visitor visa does not allow you to work in Canada. You must apply for a proper work permit if you intend to work.
Yes, but approval is not guaranteed. You must still satisfy a visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit.
A Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs to stay in Canada for up to five years. It requires medical insurance and a financial support letter.
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Permanent Residency (PR) & Express Entry
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Express Entry is Canada’s main system for managing skilled immigration. You may be eligible if you meet the requirements of one of three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score varies with each draw, but typically ranges between 470–500. Scoring higher depends on factors like age, language proficiency, education, and work experience.
Improve your CRS score by retaking your language test, completing more education, getting Canadian work experience, or securing a provincial nomination (PNP), which adds 600 points.
PNPs are immigration programs run by individual provinces to select immigrants who meet local labour needs. Most PNP streams can nominate you for PR either through Express Entry or directly.
No, not always. A job offer is not required for Express Entry but can boost your score. Some PNP streams require a job offer, while others do not.
Express Entry is a federal points-based system, while PNPs are province-specific programs. Some PNPs operate within the Express Entry system and some work outside of it.
Yes. If you’re already in Canada on a valid status, you can apply for permanent residence through Express Entry, a PNP, or other inland streams if eligible.
You’ll need your passport, language test results, ECA (if applicable), proof of funds, work reference letters, medical exam, police certificates, and digital photos.
After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), IRCC generally processes PR applications within 12 months—but delays are common, especially for complex files.
Yes. You can include your spouse and dependent children in your application. Their eligibility and documents must meet IRCC’s requirements.
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Work Permits & LMIA
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A work permit allows foreign nationals to work legally in Canada. Most people need one unless they qualify for an exemption under international agreements or specific programs.
An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada, while an employer-specific permit ties you to one job, location, and company listed in the permit.
Your employer must first obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) confirming that no Canadian is available to fill the role. Once issued, you can apply for your work permit with the LMIA and job offer letter.
Some work permits don’t require an LMIA due to international agreements, significant benefit to Canada, or humanitarian reasons. These fall under Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP).
Yes, in many cases. If you hold a skilled work permit (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit. Documentation and eligibility depend on your position and status.
Work permits are typically valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on the job offer, LMIA (if applicable), and passport validity. Extensions may be possible.
No, not without applying for a new work permit. Closed work permits are tied to a specific employer. If you want to change jobs, you’ll need a new job offer and possibly a new LMIA.
Yes. Many workers apply for permanent residency through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) while working in Canada. Some may also qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit.
You’ll need a valid job offer, LMIA (if applicable), proof of qualifications, passport, and in some cases, biometrics and a medical exam.
Yes, graduates from eligible Canadian institutions can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which is open and valid up to 3 years depending on the program length.
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Canadian Citizenship
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You must be a permanent resident, have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the past five years, meet income tax requirements, and demonstrate English or French language skills if you’re between 18 and 54.
Use IRCC’s physical presence calculator online. You need 1,095 days in the last five years before the date of your application. Some time spent as a temporary resident may count partially.
Yes, applicants aged 18–54 must pass a citizenship test covering Canadian history, laws, values, and symbols. The test is usually written, but can be oral in some cases.
Yes. As long as you meet the citizenship eligibility requirements and are still a permanent resident, a valid PR card is not mandatory to apply.
Yes, Canada allows dual or multiple citizenships. However, you should check whether your original country permits it, as not all countries recognize dual status.
Processing times vary but typically take 12–18 months. Delays may occur due to missing documents, background checks, or high application volumes.
Yes, minors under 18 can be included if they are permanent residents. Additional requirements apply if applying without a parent.
You must provide proof of English or French ability at CLB level 4 or higher. Accepted documents include test results, Canadian school transcripts, or proof of adult education.
Yes, frequent or extended trips can reduce your physical presence days. You must maintain at least 1,095 days in Canada within the last 5 years to apply.
Yes, in rare cases. Citizenship may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, or security-related reasons. These cases usually involve legal proceedings and appeals.
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Family Sponsorship (Spouse, Partner, Parents, Children)
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You can sponsor your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. In some cases, you may sponsor other relatives if you meet specific criteria.
Inland sponsorship is for couples living together in Canada. The sponsored person may be eligible for an open work permit. Outland sponsorship is processed through the visa office abroad and may allow for travel while the application is in process.
Yes. There’s no minimum income requirement for spousal or child sponsorship (except for dependent parents or grandparents). However, you must show you’re not receiving social assistance and can meet basic needs.
Processing usually takes 10 to 12 months, but timelines vary depending on the case and IRCC workload. Strong, well-prepared applications may reduce delays.
You’ll need identity documents, relationship evidence (photos, messages, joint accounts), sponsorship and PR forms, police certificates, and medical exams.
Yes. IRCC allows inland spousal sponsorship even if the sponsored person has lost their status, under certain public policies. These cases need strong supporting explanations.
You can appeal the decision (for outland sponsorship) or reapply with stronger evidence. Requesting and analyzing GCMS notes is critical to understanding the refusal reasons.
Yes, but the program operates through a lottery system with limited intake. Sponsors must meet income thresholds for three years and provide a signed undertaking.
A Super Visa allows parents or grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years per stay, but it’s temporary. Parental sponsorship grants them permanent residency but is subject to quotas and income requirements.
Yes, but the process involves additional steps, including legal adoption procedures (if applicable), custody documentation, and meeting IRCC requirements for dependent children.
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Inadmissibility, TRP & Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications (H&C)
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Inadmissibility means you are not allowed to enter or remain in Canada due to reasons such as a criminal record, misrepresentation, medical issues, or past immigration violations.
A TRP allows someone who is otherwise inadmissible to enter or stay in Canada temporarily. You must show that your need to enter Canada outweighs the risks or concerns related to your inadmissibility.
In some cases, yes. Canadian border officers have the discretion to issue a TRP at a port of entry, but it’s risky without preparation. A stronger option is to apply through the consulate or visa office with full documentation.
Criminal rehabilitation is a permanent solution that removes inadmissibility due to past convictions. A TRP is temporary. If enough time has passed and you’re eligible, rehabilitation is usually preferred.
TRPs are valid for a specific period, from a few days up to 3 years, depending on your purpose of stay. They can sometimes be extended, but you must comply with conditions and maintain legal status.
An H&C application is a pathway to permanent residence for people without legal status in Canada who face exceptional hardship, have deep ties to Canada, or whose children would be negatively affected if removed.
Yes. Many people without valid status in Canada have been granted PR through H&C applications. Your story, community ties, and the best interests of your children play a critical role.
Include a compelling personal statement, proof of establishment in Canada, medical or hardship evidence, letters of support, and any factors showing your contributions or vulnerability.
Yes, statelessness is considered a compelling factor under H&C grounds—especially when combined with long-term residence in Canada, family ties, or lack of a safe alternative.
Processing times can range from 12 to 24 months, depending on the case complexity and IRCC workload. Strong documentation can help prevent delays and reduce requests for additional information.
When professionals hesitate or give vague advice, it usually means your case needs deep review and tailored attention, not a generic answer.
Some cases need to be approached from a legal-humanitarian angle, or based on lesser-known IRCC policies or precedents.
In my experience, what seems confusing at first often becomes clear once we lay out the timeline, travel history, family details, and IRCC records like GCMS notes.
📌 Let’s review your facts and documents together. If your case is winnable—we’ll find the way. And if it’s not ready yet, we’ll make a plan to get it there.
You’re not alone—many people don’t fit neatly into the boxes outlined on IRCC’s website. Canada’s immigration system can be flexible, but only when your case is clearly and properly explained.
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