Visitors — visitor visas and eTAs
Depending on your citizenship and how you travel, you may need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Neither gives general permission to work or study in Canada.
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Visiting, studying and working in Canada, including temporary resident permits.
Temporary residence covers coming to Canada to visit, study or work for a limited period. The documents you need depend on your purpose, citizenship and circumstances, and they do not all serve the same purpose.
A visitor visa or eTA is a travel document, while a study or work permit concerns the activity you are authorized to undertake in Canada. If you are already here, check your status and its conditions separately from the expiry date of your travel document.
Depending on your citizenship and how you travel, you may need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Neither gives general permission to work or study in Canada.
Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study at a designated learning institution in Canada. A study permit is different from a visa, and separate entry documents may also be needed.
Work permits may be employer-specific or open, depending on the person’s eligibility. The permit’s conditions determine the work that is authorized.
A TRP is a discretionary permit for certain people who are inadmissible or do not meet immigration requirements but have a compelling reason to enter or stay temporarily. It is different from a visitor visa.
General information checked against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidance on October 9, 2026. Requirements and program availability can change.