Canada

Main category

Type / Name

Typical Purpose

Key Points

Temporary

Visitor visa (TRV)

Tourism, family visit, short business trip

Required for many nationalities (including most Indians) to enter Canada for up to about 6 months; can be single or multiple entry.

Temporary

Super Visa

Long-term visits by parents/grandparents

Allows parents and grandparents of citizens/PRs to stay for extended periods compared to a regular visitor visa.

Temporary

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Visa-exempt air travellers

Mandatory pre-screening for eligible visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting Canada.

Temporary

Study permit

Long-term studies

Required to study at a designated learning institution for programs over 6 months; often allows limited work during studies.

Temporary

Work permit (employer-specific)

Job with one employer

Tied to a specific employer, job, and location; often needs an LMIA from the employer.

Temporary

Open work permit (e.g., PGWP, spousal open)

Flexible work in Canada

Not employer-specific; examples include Post-Graduation Work Permit and certain spousal work permits.

Temporary

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Work after Canadian studies

For eligible graduates, it can be valid up to 3 years, depending on program length, and helps toward PR.

Temporary

International Experience Canada (IEC)

Working holiday/youth programs

For youth from partner countries to travel and work in Canada temporarily.

Temporary

Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

Entry despite inadmissibility

Special permit for those otherwise inadmissible but who have a justified reason to enter/stay temporarily.

Permanent residence

Economic class (Express Entry, PNP, etc.)

Skilled workers, trades, Canadian experience, business

Points-based or province-selected programs for people who can be economically established in Canada.

Permanent residence

Family class sponsorship

Spouse/partner, children, parents, some relatives

Canadian citizens/PRs sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence.

Permanent residence

Refugee/protected person

People needing protection

For resettled refugees, privately sponsored refugees, and protected persons granted PR.

Permanent residence

Humanitarian & compassionate

Exceptional hardship cases

For people who do not fit other PR categories but face compelling humanitarian or hardship factors.

Visa / Permit Type

Main Eligibility Requirements

Key Document Requirements

Visitor visa (TRV)

Show a genuine temporary purpose (tourism, visit, business) and intent to return; have sufficient funds; no criminal or immigration violations; and a medical exam if required.

Valid passport, photos, completed forms (e.g., IMM 5257), proof of funds, travel plan/invitation letter, ties to home country (job, property, family), fee payment, and biometrics.

Super Visa (parents/grandparents)

Parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen/PR; meet income and insurance conditions; temporary intent and ties to home country; medical exam.

Passport, invitation letter from child/grandchild, proof of relationship, proof of host’s income (NOA, employment docs), medical insurance from Canadian insurer, proof of funds, biometrics.

Study permit

Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI); enough funds for tuition, living, and return travel; clean record; good health; intent to leave after studies.

DLI offers/LOA, provincial attestation letter (PAL) where required, passport, photos, proof of funds (bank balance, GIC, loan), academic transcripts, language test (IELTS/TOEFL), SOP/explanation letter, and biometrics.

Employer-specific work permit

Valid job offer; usually positive LMIA unless exempt; relevant skills/experience for the job; admissible and temporary intent.

Job offer/contract, LMIA or offer of employment number (if LMIA-exempt), passport, photos, proof of qualifications and experience, proof of funds where needed, medical exam and police certificate if required, and biometrics.

Open work permit (incl. PGWP, some spouses)

Specific program rules (e.g., completed eligible program for PGWP; spouse of student/worker, etc.); admissibility and temporary intent.

Passport, photos, proof of program eligibility (e.g., completion letter/transcript for PGWP; spouse’s status docs), proof of relationship for spousal OWPs, medical exam/police certificate if required, biometrics.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Completed an eligible program at a PGWP-eligible DLI; full-time study for the required duration; applied within the allowed time after completion; admissible.

Passport, completion letter and transcript, study permit, DLI details, photos, fee payment, medical exam/police certificate if required, and biometrics.

Economic PR (Express Entry, PNP, etc.)

Meet program criteria (education, skilled work experience, language scores, points threshold, sometimes job offer or provincial nomination); proof of funds unless exempt; admissible.

Passport, language test reports (IELTS/TEF, etc.), ECA for foreign education, reference letters for work, proof of funds, medical exam, police certificates, digital photos, forms and fees; nomination or job offer if claimed.

Family sponsorship PR

Sponsor is an eligible Canadian citizen/PR meeting income and undertakings; genuine relationship (spouse/child/parent, etc.); sponsored person is admissible.

Sponsor forms and financial proofs, relationship evidence (marriage/birth certificates, photos, communication), passports, police certificates, medical exams, fees, and biometrics.

Refugee / protected person PR

Meets the definition of refugee/protected person or selected under resettlement programs; security and medical admissibility checks.

Referral or sponsorship documents, identity and travel documents (where available), police/security checks, medical exam, forms, photos, and biometrics.

Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

Otherwise inadmissible but have compelling reason to enter/stay; benefits outweigh risks; usually for a specific period/purpose.

Passport, detailed explanation and supporting evidence of need to enter, proof of ties and funds, medical/police documents, any decisions showing inadmissibility, forms and fees, and biometrics.

Visa / Permit Type

Core IRCC Fee (CAD)

Approx. Fee in INR*

Visitor/tourist visa (single or multiple entry)

100

≈ INR 6,000–INR 6,500 per person.

Visitor visa – family (5+ members, same time)

500 (total)

≈ INR 30,000–INR 32,000 (family).

Super visa (parents/grandparents)

100

≈ INR 6,000–INR 6,500 per person.

Transit visa

0

No IRCC fee (you still pay VAC/biometrics if applicable).

Study permit

150

≈ INR 9,000–INR 9,500.

Work permit (employer-specific)

155

≈ INR 9,500–INR 10,000.

Open work permit holder fee (extra)

100

≈ INR 6,000–INR 6,500 (added to work-permit fee).

Biometrics (most TR/PR applications)

85

≈ INR 5,000–INR 5,500 per person; family max 170 CAD.

Express Entry / most economic PR – main applicant processing

635

≈ INR 38,000–INR 42,000.

Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)

575

≈ INR 34,000–INR 38,000.

Economic PR – spouse processing

635

≈ INR 38,000–INR 42,000.

Visa / Permit Type

Typical Recent Processing Time (Outside Canada, Mainly India)

Visitor visa (TRV)

About 50–100+ days; many recent India files around 52–75 days, some beyond 90 days in peak/backlog periods.

Super Visa (parents/grandparents)

Roughly similar to or slightly longer than regular visitor visas, often around 60–100+ days, depending on office load.

Transit visa

Processed under visitor-visa timelines; roughly 50–100+ days for many overseas applications.

Study permit (India, first time)

Commonly around 7–12 weeks (about 2–3 months); can extend beyond 12–14 weeks near major intakes.

Employer-specific work permit (outside Canada)

Roughly 8–19 weeks, depending on category, country, and workload.

Open work permits (incl. many spousal OWPs, PGWP filed from outside Canada)

Usually, in a similar band to other work permits, often 8–19 weeks; some categories faster or slower.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP – inside Canada)

Often around 2–4 months for online applications, though this fluctuates with volume.

Economic PR – Express Entry (FSW/CEC and PNP-linked)

IRCC service standard ~6 months after submitting a complete PR file; many recent cases 5–7 months.

Economic PR – base (paper/online) PNP

Frequently longer, often around 11–19+ months, depending on the stream.

Family sponsorship PR (spouse/partner)

Commonly around 10–18 months (inside vs. outside Canada and the office makes a difference).

Family sponsorship PR (parents/grandparents PR program)

Often around 20–24+ months due to higher complexity and quotas.

Refugee / protected person PR

Highly variable; many resettled refugee PR cases take 18–24+ months, sometimes longer.

Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

Very case-specific; often many months, commonly 6–12+ months for complex inadmissibility files.

Sectors

Top Companies

Avg Salary

Engineering and Technology

• Nortel Networks
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$1,940 - $7,564

Business

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• RBC 
• Deloitte 
• KPMG 
• Ernst & Young 

$2,065 - $7,045

Communications and Media

• CBC/Radio-Canada
• Bell Canada
• Telus

$50,000 - $70,000

Arts and Entertainment 

• CTV
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Banking and Finance

• TD Bank
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Retail and Manufacturing

• Walmart
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