Canadian Work Visa Fees
Canada offers various work visa options for skilled professionals, temporary workers, and international graduates looking to gain employment in Canada. The standard Canada Work Visa fee for a work permit is CAD 155, approximately INR 9,500, while an open work permit costs CAD 255, around INR 15,500.
To apply, candidates must pay a processing fee, which varies depending on the type of work permit. Additional charges may apply for biometrics and other processing services. Understanding these fees is essential for planning your Canada work visa application effectively.
What is a Canadian Work Visa?
A Canada Work Visa, also known as a work permit, is a legal document that gives foreign nationals the ability to work lawfully in Canada for a specified amount of time. This permit is important for most foreign workers unless they claim an exemption.
Work permits may be issued depending on the nature of the job, employer, and qualification of the applicant. Some work permits require the issuance of an LMIA - Labour Market Impact Assessment—that proves there is no Canadian available to fill the position, while others do not require one and are considered open work permits.
Types of Canadian Work Permits
Canada offers different work permits based on the applicant’s job, employer, and eligibility. The two main categories are:
Employer-Specific Work Permit
This is a work permit issued to a foreign worker that ordinarily allows him or her to do specified work only for a particular employer with various accepted terms and conditions. All of these must be honored according to the details stipulated in the specific visa. For Example:
The name of the employer they can work for
The duration of employment
The location (if applicable)
This type of permit often requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which proves that no Canadian worker is available for the job.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit allows a person to work for any employer in Canada, subject to a handful of exceptions as per regulations. An LMIA or certified job offer is required to obtain this type of permit. Usually, this permit is granted to:
Spouses of skilled workers and international students
Refugees and protected persons
Recent graduates under the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Both types of work permits have their specific eligibility and application-handling procedures, so applicants need to select the type of work permit that aligns with their work situation.
Canada Work Visa Fees
In some cases, the applicant must bear expenses for biometric payment fees and employer compliance fees, in addition to fees payable to the government. Payment for the Canadian work visa differs depending on whether you are applying for an open work permit or an employer-specific work permit.
These are fees charged by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) during the application stage. By necessity, they are charged in Canadian Dollars (CAD), so it would be wise for Indian applicants to take fluctuations in the exchange rate into account when calculating costs for the visa.
Canada Work Visa Fees in Indian Rupees
The Canada work visa fees in Indian Rupees range from approximately ₹9,300 to ₹15,300 INR (based on an exchange rate of 1 CAD = ₹60, with fees between $155 to $255).
There are expenses for the application for a Canadian work permit, which are chargeable in Canadian Dollars (CAD). For applicants from India, it would be good to know these fees in INR if proper financing needs to be planned. Below are the standard work permit fees, along with their approximate equivalent in INR, assuming an exchange rate of 1 CAD = ₹60.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Canada visa fee in Indian Rupees?
The fees charged for applying for a Canada visit visa include CAD 100 as the fee for application and CAD 85 as the fee for biometrics which totals CAD 185 in government fees. In terms of the current exchange rates, this amounts to ₹11,500 - ₹12,000 approximately. There can be other expenses related to services offered by the visa facilitation centers, passport sending, courier services, etc., that add to the cost. As exchange rates change regularly, the exact amount in Indian Rupees may differ at the time of payment.
Q2. Does Canada give a 10-year visa?
Yes, Canada will provide you with a multiple-entry visa which is valid for 10 years or less till the expiry of your passport, whichever comes first. The validity of the visa actually lies at the judgment of the visa officer based on your past travel records and other factors. A 10-year visa does not mean you get to stay in Canada for 10 years non-stop. Usually, visitors are allowed to stay in Canada for six months at a time unless decided by the border officer.
Q3. Can I get a 2-year work permit in Canada?
Yes, you can acquire a two year work permit in Canada provided that you qualify and your job offer falls within the scope of the program requirements. The period during which the work permit is valid depends on your work contract, LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) or the type of work permit.
Q4. How much is a 2-year work permit in Canada?
There is a charge of CAD 155 (₹10,543) associated with the processing of your Canadian work permit application. For an application involving an Open Work Permit, an extra CAD 100 (₹6,800) charge applies, bringing the total fees to CAD 255 (₹17,350). In addition to the fees above, there might be an additional requirement to pay CAD 85 (₹5,800) in biometric costs and medical fees.
Q5. Is Canada visa-free for Indians?
No, Canada does not offer visa-free entry for citizens of India. Citizens of India have to apply for the appropriate visa or permit before visiting Canada. They have to choose between a visitor visa, study permit or work permit depending on their purpose of visit. But people who have a Canadian visa in the past or have a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa can apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) while visiting Canada by air.
Q6. Can Indians get a Canada visa easily?
Yes, it is possible for Indians to get a visa for Canada provided that they are eligible and have submitted an application form. Visa approval will be determined based on certain factors like the reason for travel, financial stability, relevant documents, travel history, and the fact that you are going to comply with the immigration laws of Canada.