Temporary Residence

Visitor Visa Applications (Temporary Resident Visas – TRVs)

A Visitor Visa, officially known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), allows foreign nationals from visa-required countries to enter Canada for temporary stays—including tourism, family visits, business trips, or short-term academic programs. Although the process may seem simple, many applications are refused due to insufficient documentation, weak explanations, or doubts about the applicant’s intent to leave Canada.

We prepare visitor visa applications that are clear, well-documented, and legally persuasive—helping you avoid refusal and enter Canada with confidence.

Who Needs a Visitor Visa?

You need a visitor visa if:

  • You are from a visa-required country;
  • You wish to enter Canada temporarily for up to 6 months;
  • You are not eligible for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization);
  • You are not inadmissible to Canada due to criminal, medical, or immigration history.
Visitors from visa-exempt countries (e.g. EU, Australia, Japan) generally require an eTA instead of a TRV unless applying for a different type of temporary status.

Reasons for Applying

We represent individuals applying for:

  • Tourism or personal travel;
  • Visiting family members (e.g. children, parents, siblings);
  • Attending weddings, funerals, or religious events;
  • Business visits, conferences, or client meetings;
  • Short-term studies under 6 months;
  • Medical visits (e.g. private treatment, accompanying a patient).

Key Legal Requirements

To be approved for a visitor visa, you must convince IRCC that:

  • You will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay;
  • You have sufficient funds to support yourself and your travel;
  • You have strong ties to your home country (e.g. job, property, family, studies);
  • You have a valid reason for visiting and any invitation is genuine;
  • You are not inadmissible due to prior violations, criminality, or health risks.
We ensure that your application meets both the technical requirements under the legislation and the officer’s discretionary considerations.

Why Are Visitor Visas Refused?

Common reasons for refusal include:

  • Weak or missing evidence of home country ties;
  • Lack of travel history or unclear travel purpose;
  • Poorly written invitation letters;
  • Inconsistent or vague information;
  • Previous visa refusals without explanation.
  • Failing to explain dual intent
We proactively address these risk factors, particularly if you have past refusals or are applying from a high-refusal-rate country.
The Super Visa allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada for extended visits of up to five years at a time, with the option to apply for extensions of up to two additional years. Unlike regular visitor visas, the Super Visa is a multi-entry visa valid for up to 10 years, offering families a practical way to remain united without requiring permanent sponsorship.
Our firm provides end-to-end legal support to ensure your Super Visa application is complete, compelling, and compliant with all IRCC requirements.

Who Can Apply for a Super Visa?

The Super Visa is available to parents and grandparents of:

  • Canadian citizens; or
  • Permanent residents of Canada.
Spouses or common-law partners of the parent or grandparent may also be included in the application. However, dependents (children) are not eligible under the Super Visa.

Key Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate the following:

1. Relationship

  • A documented parent or grandparent relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

2. Invitation and Financial Support

  • A written invitation letter from the child or grandchild in Canada, confirming:
  • The family relationship;
  • The purpose of the visit;
  • The duration of the stay;
  • A commitment to provide financial support for the entire stay.
  • Proof that the host meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold, based on Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) figures for the size of the household.

3. Medical Insurance

  • Proof of private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that:
  • Is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry;
  • Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation;
  • Provides at least $100,000 in coverage;
  • Is fully paid, not just quoted.

4. Immigration Ties and Intent

  • The applicant must demonstrate:
  • The applicant must demonstrate:
  • A genuine intention to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.

5. Medical Exam

  • A valid immigration medical examination (IME) is required before a decision is issued.

Important Considerations

Super Visa vs. Visitor Visa:

The Super Visa is ideal for extended stays and avoids the need for repeat visitor visa applications. It is not tied to permanent residence or sponsorship, but can offer relief while families await longer-term pathways.

Insurance Compliance:

Many Super Visa refusals are due to issues with insurance coverage or documentation. We review and verify all insurance materials to ensure compliance with IRCC requirements.

Income Shortfalls:

If the host’s income is slightly below the required LICO, we may advise on legal strategies or joint support declarations (e.g., from a spouse) to strengthen the application.

Visa Office Practices:

Each visa office may interpret documentation slightly differently. We tailor applications with region-specific knowledge and address local documentation expectations.

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that Canadian employers may need before hiring a foreign worker. It verifies that hiring a foreign national will not negatively impact Canada’s labour market. A positive LMIA allows the foreign worker to apply for a closed, employer-specific work permit.

At Just Law Professional Corporation, we represent both employers and workers in LMIA-related applications, ensuring legal compliance, timely filing, and long-term immigration planning.

Who Needs a Visitor Visa?

1. High-Wage Stream

  • Jobs offering wages at or above the median wage in the province/territory;
  • Requires a transition plan showing efforts to reduce reliance on foreign labour.

2. Low-Wage Stream

  • Jobs below the median wage;
  • Additional employer obligations (e.g., transportation, housing, medical insurance);
  • Limited number of low-wage foreign workers per worksite.

3. Global Talent Stream (GTS)

  • For tech and specialized positions listed on the Global Talent Occupations List;
  • 2-week LMIA processing time;
  • Requires collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and a Labour Market Benefits Plan.

4. Owner-Operator / Self-Employed Stream (phased out as of 2021)

  • Business owners now apply under C11 work permits or Start-Up Visa or Intra-Company Transfer pathways.

5. Agricultural and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Programs (SAWP)

  • For employers in primary agriculture and seasonal industries;
  • Specific compliance and housing requirements.

Employer Requirements

To apply for an LMIA, employers must:

  • Be actively engaged in the business;
  • Permanent residents of Canada.
  • Conduct mandatory advertising and recruitment (minimum 4 weeks) unless exempt;
  • Offer wages and working conditions consistent with Canadian standards;
  • Not be ineligible due to prior non-compliance or sanctions;
  • Submit detailed business documents, contracts, and evidence of recruitment efforts.
SubWe guide employers through every step—including compliance, job advertising strategy, and audit preparation.mit detailed business documents, contracts, and evidence of recruitment efforts.

Worker Requirements

Once a positive LMIA is issued:

  • The foreign worker may apply for a closed work permit tied to that specific employer and job;
  • In some cases, an LMIA can also support Express Entry points under the arranged employment category;
  • Spouses may be eligible for open work permits depending on the job’s NOC and wages.
LMIA-based hiring is highly regulated and heavily scrutinized. As immigration lawyers, we protect both the employer’s business integrity and the worker’s legal pathway. At Just Law Professional Corporation, we ensure your application meets all legal thresholds—while anticipating red flags and planning for future immigration options like permanent residence.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows eligible international students who have completed a designated program of study in Canada to gain open work authorization for up to three years. A PGWP is a crucial step for many who wish to gain Canadian work experience and eventually apply for permanent residence through pathways like Express Entry, CEC, or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

At Just Law Professional Corporation, we guide students and graduates through the full PGWP process—ensuring applications are accurate, timely, and compliant with IRCC policy.

Who Is Eligible for a PGWP?

You may be eligible for a PGWP if you:

  • Completed a full-time program of at least 8 months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada;
  • Studied in a program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate;
  • Applied within 180 days of receiving your final transcript and official letter of completion;
  • Held a valid study permit at some point during your studies;
  • Maintained full-time student status in each academic session (with exceptions for final term or authorized leaves);
  • Have not already received a PGWP for a previous program of study.

Note: Programs delivered 100% online or from outside Canada may affect eligibility unless covered by temporary COVID-19 policies.

Length of the PGWP

The duration of the PGWP depends on the length of your program:

  • 8 months to <2 years: PGWP is usually valid for the same length as the study program;
  • 2 years or more: PGWP may be issued for up to 3 years;
  • Multiple programs completed consecutively at eligible DLIs may be combined to determine PGWP length.

Common Legal Issues

  • Part-time studies: Unexplained part-time semesters may render you ineligible;
  • Gaps in status: Studying or working without authorization can lead to refusals;
  • Late applications: Submitting after 180 days is grounds for refusal;
  • Program ineligibility: Not all private colleges or non-degree programs qualify.

We assist with:

  • Complex timelines and gaps in enrollment;
  • Restoration of status (if your study permit expired);
  • Clarification letters and procedural fairness responses;
  • Linking PGWP strategy to long-term immigration goals.

Working While Awaiting a Decision

If you apply for a PGWP while your study permit is still valid, you can:

  • Work full-time while waiting for a decision on your PGWP (IRPR s. 186(w)).
We help you time your application to ensure you retain legal work status throughout the transition period.
A rejected PGWP can derail your plans for permanent residence in Canada. At Just Law Professional Corporation, we ensure your application is not only complete, but strategically positioned to safeguard your future. We identify and resolve issues before they trigger refusals, and we align your work permit with your immigration goals—because your education in Canada should lead to real opportunity.
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  • 3250 Bloor Street West East Tower, Suite 600 Toronto, ON  M8X 2X9
  • 24/7 Support
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