If you’re a foreign national and plan to work or earn money in Canada, you may be wondering if you can do so on a tourist visa. While visiting Canada is a pleasure, getting a job there without a work permit can be tricky. Hence, we’ll answer if you can work in Canada with a tourist visa in this article.

Can You Work in Canada With a Tourist Visa?

Unfortunately, you cannot work legally in Canada while holding a tourist visa. If you’re caught working in Canada without a valid work permit, you may be deported. Therefore, it’s best to have a work permit in place before starting your job search.

What Is a Work Permit?

A work permit is a document issued by the Canadian government that authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada for a specified period. To get a work permit, you must have a job offer from a Canadian employer who has done a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA process checks that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to do the job that has been offered to you.

How to Apply for a Work Permit?

To apply for a work permit, you need to follow these steps:

1. Get a job offer from a Canadian employer.
2. The employer applies for an LMIA.
3. The Canadian government approves the LMIA.
4. The employer sends you the LMIA along with a job offer letter.
5. You apply for a work permit through the Canadian embassy in your country.

What If You’re Already in Canada on a Tourist Visa?

If you’re already in Canada on a tourist visa, you cannot apply for a work permit from within Canada. You’ll have to leave the country and apply for the work permit from the Canadian embassy in your home country. However, if you have a valid study permit, you may be able to apply for a work permit from within Canada.

What Are the Consequences of Working Without a Work Permit?

If you’re caught working without a valid work permit, you may face severe consequences, such as:

• Deportation
• Prohibition on entering Canada again
• Difficulty in obtaining a future work permit
• Damage to your reputation

Are There Other Ways to Work in Canada Without a Work Permit?

Yes, there are a few scenarios where you can work in Canada without a work permit, such as:

1. Business Visitors – If you’re in Canada for business purposes, you may be able to perform work activities without a work permit.
2. Foreign Representatives and Diplomats – If you’re a foreign representative or a diplomat, you don’t need a work permit to work in Canada.
3. Military Personnel – Military personnel who are members of a visiting force, such as NATO, may work in Canada without a work permit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re looking to work in Canada, you must have a work permit in place before starting your job search. Working in Canada without a valid work permit can result in severe consequences, such as deportation, prohibition on entering Canada again, difficulty in obtaining a future work permit and damage to your reputation.

FAQs

1. Can I work in Canada without a work permit?

No, you cannot work in Canada without a valid work permit unless you fall under any other categories that allow you to work without a work permit, such as Foreign Representatives and Diplomats.

2. Can a tourist visa be converted to a work visa in Canada?

No, a tourist visa cannot be converted to a work visa in Canada. If you’re planning to work in Canada, you’ll need to leave the country and apply for a work permit from the Canadian embassy in your home country.

3. Can I apply for a work permit from within Canada?

If you’re not in Canada on a tourist visa, you may apply for a work permit from within Canada. However, if you’re already in Canada on a tourist visa, you’ll have to leave the country and apply for the work permit from the Canadian embassy in your home country.