🔄 2026 Guide: Switching from Visitor to Student/Worker in Canada
🚀 Quick Navigation: What Do You Need?
Visitor to Student
Change from visitor to study permit. Requirements include letter of acceptance, financial proof, and PAL if required.
Visitor to Worker
Transition from visitor to work permit. Requires job offer, LMIA (if needed), and employer documentation.
📢 2026 Policy Updates & Changes
Key 2026 Changes Affecting Visitor Status Transitions
As of December 2024, visitors cannot apply for study or work permits at the border. All applications must be submitted online through IRCC portal.
2026 study permit cap: 155,000 new permits. Most applicants need Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), except master’s/doctoral students.
When you apply before your status expires, you maintain legal status until decision. However, you cannot work/study until permit approved.
🎓 Part 1: Visitor to Student Permit (2026 Process)
Eligibility Requirements for Changing to Student
You must have valid visitor status (visitor record, electronic travel authorization, or passport stamp) when applying.
Acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) for a program of study.
Most study permit applicants need PAL from province. Exception: Master’s/doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt.
Minimum $22,895 CAD per year for living expenses (2026 amount), plus tuition fees for first year.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Secure Letter of Acceptance & PAL
Before applying, you must have:
- Acceptance letter from Canadian DLI
- Provincial Attestation Letter (if required for your program)
- Proof of payment for first semester tuition (recommended)
Prepare Required Documents
Essential documents for visitor-to-student application:
- IMM 5709 form (Application to Change Conditions as Student)
- Letter of Acceptance from DLI
- Provincial Attestation Letter (if required)
- Proof of financial support (bank statements, scholarship letters)
- Passport and current visitor document
- Digital photo meeting specifications
Submit Online Application
Application submission process:
- Create/Log into IRCC secure account
- Complete eligibility questionnaire
- Upload IMM 5709 and all supporting documents
- Pay application fee: $150 CAD
- Submit before current status expires
Maintain Status & Wait for Decision
After submission:
- You maintain legal status until decision (cannot study yet)
- Processing time: 8-12 weeks typically
- If approved, receive Port of Entry (POE) letter
- Pick up study permit at border or airport when leaving/returning
💼 Part 2: Visitor to Work Permit (2026 Process)
Understanding the Two Main Pathways
LMIA-Based Work Permit
Requirements:
- Positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- Job offer from Canadian employer
- Proof of qualifications for the job
- LMIA number and copy of LMIA confirmation
Processing: Employer must apply for LMIA first (4-6 months)
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit
Categories:
- International agreements (CUSMA, CETA)
- Intra-company transfers
- Significant benefit to Canada
- Charitable/religious work
Processing: No LMIA required, but specific exemption criteria must be met
Step-by-Step Application Process
Secure Valid Job Offer & LMIA (If Required)
Prerequisite steps:
- Employer obtains positive LMIA (for LMIA-based permits)
- Job offer letter with all details (salary, duties, duration)
- Proof job offer is genuine (company documents, need for position)
- For LMIA-exempt: documentation proving exemption category
Prepare Application Documents
Required documents for visitor-to-worker application:
- IMM 5710 form (Application to Change Conditions as Worker)
- Job offer letter and LMIA copy (if applicable)
- Proof of qualifications (diplomas, certificates, experience letters)
- Passport and current visitor document
- Digital photo meeting specifications
- Employer compliance fee receipt (if applicable)
Submit Online & Pay Fees
Application submission:
- Apply through IRCC secure account
- Complete IMM 5710 form accurately
- Upload all supporting documents
- Pay fees: $155 work permit fee + $85 biometrics (if needed)
- Submit at least 30 days before status expires
Maintain Status Until Approval
Important rules during processing:
- You maintain legal status but cannot work until permit approved
- Processing time: 120-160 days (2026 estimate)
- If approved, receive letter to pick up work permit
- Can only work for employer specified on work permit
📋 IRCC Forms & Document Requirements
Essential IRCC Forms for Changing Conditions
IMM 5709: Application to Change Conditions, Extend Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student
Use for: Changing from visitor to student status
Key sections to complete:
- Personal details and contact information
- Details of intended study in Canada
- Background information and declarations
- Signature and date sections
Common mistake: Using IMM 1294 (for outside Canada) instead of IMM 5709
IMM 5710: Application to Change Conditions, Extend Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker
Use for: Changing from visitor to worker status
Key sections to complete:
- Personal details and contact information
- Details of intended work in Canada
- Employer information and LMIA details (if applicable)
- Background information and declarations
Processing fee: $155 CAD + $85 biometrics (if required)
Supporting Documents Checklist
Visitor record, eTA approval, passport stamp, or other proof of legal visitor status in Canada.
Bank statements (last 4 months), scholarship letters, proof of payment for tuition/expenses.
For students: Letter of Acceptance from DLI. For workers: Job offer letter with all details.
Previous study/work records, police certificates, medical exams (if required), proof of relationship (if including family).
⚠️ Common Issues & Solutions
Top Reasons for Application Refusal
Using wrong form (IMM 1294 instead of IMM 5709/5710) or leaving sections blank.
Solution: Double-check form numbers and complete all sections.
Not showing enough funds or funds not clearly available.
Solution: Provide 4+ months of bank statements showing consistent balance.
Applying without Provincial Attestation Letter when required.
Solution: Confirm if your program needs PAL; master’s/doctoral students exempt.
Applying after visitor status has already expired.
Solution: Apply for restoration of status ($200) + new permit application.
Maintained Status: What You Need to Know
When you apply to change conditions before your current status expires, you maintain legal status until a decision is made. However:
- You cannot begin studying or working until the new permit is approved
- You must remain in Canada while application processes
- If you leave Canada, your application is considered abandoned
- If refused after status expires, you may need to leave Canada immediately
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. You must choose one status (student or worker) and apply for that permit. You cannot hold both study and work permits simultaneously unless your study permit includes work authorization for on-campus or off-campus work.
Apply at least 30 days before your status expires. IRCC recommends applying even earlier (60-90 days) due to processing times. If you apply after status expires, you need to apply for restoration of status ($200 additional fee).
Not recommended. If you leave Canada while your “change of conditions” application is processing, IRCC considers your application abandoned. You would need to apply from outside Canada, which is a different process with different forms.
If refused before your status expires, you remain a visitor until your original expiry date. If refused after your status expires, you lose legal status and must:
- Stop any unauthorized activity immediately
- Apply for restoration within 90 days (if eligible)
- Leave Canada if restoration not possible
It depends on your situation:
- No medical exam required for most visitor-to-student applications
- Medical exam required if you’ll work in healthcare, with children, or in agricultural occupations
- Medical exam required if you’ve lived in certain countries for 6+ months in the past year
- Check IRCC website for current medical exam requirements
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