Types of Visas for Canada
Discover the main Canadian visa and work permit categories. Each pathway has distinct criteria, timelines and benefits — choose the one that best fits your profile.
Work Permit (LMIA)
Work permit based on a job offer with a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Requires a Canadian employer to prove the need for a foreign worker. Validity depends on contract duration.
- ▸ Elegibilidad: Job offer + positive LMIA from the employer
- ▸ Duración: Contract duration (renewable)
- ▸ Nota: Tied to a single employer
Work Permit (LMIA-Exempt)
LMIA-exempt permits via international agreements such as CUSMA/USMCA, intracompany transfers (ICT) and International Experience Canada (IEC). Faster process with no market assessment required.
- ▸ Elegibilidad: Falls under an exempt category (CUSMA, ICT, IEC, etc.)
- ▸ Duración: Varies by category
- ▸ Nota: No ESDC employer approval required
Express Entry (PR)
Federal Permanent Residence system. Candidates enter the pool and are ranked by the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System). Draws occur every ~2 weeks with a variable CRS cutoff.
- ▸ Elegibilidad: CEC, FSW or FST profile + CRS score
- ▸ Duración: ~6 months after invitation (ITA)
- ▸ Nota: Recent avg. CRS: 480–510 (general pool)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provincial nomination for Permanent Residence. Each province has streams with their own NOC, CLB, experience and provincial ties criteria. Nomination adds +600 points to CRS (Enhanced stream).
- ▸ Elegibilidad: Varies by stream and province
- ▸ Duración: ~6 months after provincial nomination
- ▸ Nota: Base or Enhanced (via Express Entry)
Study Permit
Authorization to study at a DLI (Designated Learning Institution). Typically allows working up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during academic breaks.
- ▸ Elegibilidad: DLI acceptance letter + proof of funds
- ▸ Duración: Program length + 90 days
- ▸ Nota: Opens the path to PGWP after graduation
Visitor Visa (TRV)
Tourism or business visa for nationals of countries that do not have a visa exemption with Canada. Can be valid for up to 10 years, but each entry allows a maximum stay of 6 months.
- ▸ Elegibilidad: Nationals of countries without visa exemption (includes Brazil)
- ▸ Duración: Up to 10 years (multiple entries)
- ▸ Nota: Maximum stay 6 months per entry
IEC / Working Holiday
International Experience Canada allows you to work freely in Canada for 1 to 2 years. Open to youth aged 18–35 from partner countries, including Brazil. Open Work Permit — any employer.
- ▸ Elegibilidad: 18–35 years old, IEC partner country
- ▸ Duración: 1–2 years (not renewable in the same category)
- ▸ Nota: Brazil has participated in IEC since 2024
PGWP
Post-Graduation Work Permit for Canadian DLI graduates. Allows working for any employer for up to 3 years after graduation, building Canadian experience for Express Entry (CEC).
- ▸ Elegibilidad: Completion of an eligible program at a DLI
- ▸ Duración: Up to 3 years (depending on program length)
- ▸ Nota: Gateway to CEC / Express Entry
Spousal Open Work Permit
For the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or student in Canada. Allows working for any employer with no sector or position restrictions.
- ▸ Elegibilidad: Spouse of TEER 0/1/2/3 worker or graduate student
- ▸ Duración: Same as the principal applicant's status
- ▸ Nota: Open Work Permit — any employer
Want to see which pathways have criteria matching your profile?
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