Temporary residents are visitors, students and workers who are allowed to stay in Canada for a limited time and under conditions. Rules changed many times between 2024 and 2026, so this page gives an overview with dated changes and links to the official pages. Each permit is decided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), or by an officer of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the border.
Visitor visa and eTA
- Visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or eTA. Most travellers need one or the other, depending on their passport. Since 26 May 2026, eligible citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia can use an electronic travel authorization (eTA) when flying in.
- Officer discretion. The officer decides whether to issue a single- or multiple-entry visa and how long it is valid. You must show that you will leave at the end of your stay and that you can support yourself.
- Cancellations. Since 31 January 2025, officers can cancel a visa or eTA case by case, for example if a person becomes inadmissible. The Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12, royal assent 26 March 2026) also lets the government cancel, suspend or vary groups of documents.
- No work permits from visitor status. Since 28 August 2024, visitors can't apply for a work permit from inside Canada.
Study permit
- Acceptance and attestation. You need a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI). Most applicants also need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), required since 22 January 2024. In Québec, the Québec acceptance certificate (CAQ) plays this role. Since 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from the PAL.
- Cap. For 2026, IRCC set a cap of up to 408,000 study permits (155,000 for new arrivals and 253,000 for extensions), down from 437,000 in 2025.
- Funds. Outside Québec, a single applicant must show $23,448 for living costs for applications made on or after 1 September 2026, plus tuition and travel. The amount is updated each year; see IRCC's financial support page.
- While studying. Off-campus work is limited to 24 hours a week during regular sessions. Changing schools can require a new permit or a new PAL, so check IRCC's rules before you transfer.
French-speaking students who want to study in French outside Québec can also look at the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
- Field of study. For study permits applied for on or after 1 November 2024, graduates of non-degree programs must have studied in an eligible field. IRCC has said the field list stays the same for 2026.
- Language. For PGWP applications made from 1 November 2024: CLB/NCLC 7 for university graduates and 5 for college graduates.
- Timing. Apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed your program. Graduates of master's programs can get a 3-year permit.
- Programs delivered under public-private curriculum licensing arrangements are not eligible.
More detail: our post-graduation work permit page.
Work permits
- Employer-specific permits usually need a Labour Market Impact Assessment or an LMIA exemption. Open work permits are available only in specific situations.
- No flagpoling. Since 23 December 2024, work and study permits are no longer issued to people who leave Canada and re-enter at a land border just to get one.
- Studying while working. Since 9 September 2026 (until 31 December 2027), work permit holders may study for up to 6 months without a study permit.
Open work permits for spouses and partners
Since 21 January 2025:
- Spouses and partners of workers qualify only if the worker is in a TEER 0 or 1 job, or a listed TEER 2 or 3 job, and has at least 16 months left on their permit.
- Spouses and partners of students qualify only if the student is in a master's program of 16 months or more, a doctoral program, or an eligible professional program.
- Dependent children of workers no longer qualify.
Some 2026 public policies add limited exceptions. Spouses being sponsored from inside Canada have a separate open work permit; see family sponsorship.
More detail: our open work permits for spouses and partners page.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
IEC offers working holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op permits to young people from about 36 partner countries and territories. Candidates enter a pool and receive invitations during the season. The 2026 pools are open; check IEC rounds of invitations for your country's quota.
More detail: our International Experience Canada page.
From temporary to permanent
Canadian work experience can count toward the Canadian Experience Class and provincial programs. Work done while you were a full-time student doesn't count for the Canadian Experience Class, and several provincial graduate streams have closed (see each province's page).
Refusals
Since 29 July 2025, most refusal letters for temporary residence applications include the officer's decision notes. See refused applications.
How we can help
Anasse Boulbaroud, RCIC, can review which permit fits your plans, prepare visitor visa, study permit, work permit and extension applications, and check your documents before you submit. Only IRCC decides. Book a consultation, or see our fees.