Temporary Residence in Canada
- Home
- Temporary Residence
- Visitor Visa
Visit, study or work in Canada: choose the right temporary option
Visitor visas, Super Visas, study permits and work permits, explained by an RCIC (R534491)
Which temporary option fits you?
Temporary residents come to Canada for a limited time to visit, study or work. Each purpose has its own document and its own rules. Choosing the wrong one, or applying with weak evidence, is a common reason for refusal.
| Your purpose | Document | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday, family visit, business meetings | Visitor Visa | Up to six months per entry |
| Parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident | Super Visa | Up to five years per entry |
| Study at a Canadian school, college or university | Study Permit | Length of the program |
| Work for a Canadian employer | Work Permit | Set by the permit |
What every temporary application must show
- A clear and genuine purpose for the trip
- Enough money for your stay
- That you will leave Canada when your authorised stay ends
- That you are admissible: no serious criminal, security or medical concerns
Mauritian passport holders need a visa to travel to Canada, and most applicants also give biometrics.
Temporary now, permanent later?
You may apply for a temporary stay while also planning to immigrate permanently, as long as you can show you will respect the terms of your stay. Canadian study and work experience can strengthen a later Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC, What you need to enter Canada. Last reviewed November 2026 by Vikesh Ramroop, RCIC R534491.
Visa, permit and status: what each word means
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Visa (temporary resident visa) | The sticker in your passport that lets you travel to Canada and ask to enter. Mauritian citizens need one |
| Permit | The document issued at or after entry that sets what you may do: a study permit, a work permit or a visitor record |
| Status | Your legal standing in Canada (visitor, student or worker) and the date it ends |
| Biometrics | Fingerprints and a photo, given once and usually valid for ten years |
| Letter of introduction | The approval letter for a study or work permit, shown to the border officer on arrival |
The four temporary options compared
| Visitor Visa | Super Visa | Study Permit | Work Permit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main requirement | Purpose, funds and ties to home | Host’s income, medical insurance, medical exam | Letter of acceptance, attestation letter, funds | Job offer, or eligibility for an open permit |
| Can you work? | No | No | Up to 24 hours a week off campus during term | Yes, under the permit’s conditions |
| Can family come? | Each person applies | Parents and grandparents only, with their spouse | Spouse and children can apply to accompany you | Spouse and children can apply to accompany you |
| Leads to permanent residence? | No | No | Not directly; Canadian education and later work can help | Not directly; skilled Canadian experience can help |
How every temporary application is decided
An officer must be satisfied of two things: that you meet the requirements of the category, and that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay. The second is judged from your whole situation: family, job, property and finances at home, your travel history, and whether your plan makes sense. A complete, consistent file with a short, clear explanation carries more weight than a large pile of documents.
Once you are in Canada
- Know your expiry date. It is on your permit, or six months from entry for a visitor without a stamped date.
- Extend in time. Apply at least 30 days before your status ends. If you apply before it expires, you can usually stay under the same conditions while you wait.
- Changing your purpose (for example, visitor to student) usually needs a new application.
- If your status has expired, you may be able to apply to restore it within 90 days. After that, you must leave.
Honesty matters more than anything else. A false document or an undeclared refusal can lead to a finding of misrepresentation and a five-year ban from applying. If something in your history worries you, tell us first. It can usually be explained.
Government fees and service standards at a glance
| Application | Government fee (CAD) | IRCC service standard, applied for outside Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa | $100 per person, $500 maximum for a family of five or more | 14 days |
| Super Visa | $100 per person | Varies by visa office |
| Study permit | $150 per person | 60 days |
| Work permit | $155 per person, plus $100 for an open work permit | 60 days |
| Biometrics, where required | $85 per person, $170 per family | Appointment needed before a decision |
Extensions made inside Canada cost the same as a first application: $100 for a visitor, $150 for a student and $155 for a worker. The service standard for study and work permit extensions is 120 days. Actual processing times for Mauritius are often longer than the standard, so check IRCC’s processing-time tool and apply early.
Government fees are taken from IRCC’s fee list on canada.ca, checked on 11 November 2026, and are in Canadian dollars. Service standards are IRCC’s published targets for most complete applications, not guarantees. Fees and times change, and we confirm both before you apply.
More questions about temporary residence
Can I enter as a visitor and switch to a work or study permit in Canada?
Usually not. Most work permit applications must be made from outside Canada, and the temporary policy that let visitors apply from inside has ended. Some study permit applications can be made from inside Canada, but only in specific situations. Decide your purpose first and apply for the right document.
Will I need a medical exam?
It depends on how long you will stay, where you have lived recently and the work you will do. Super Visa applicants always need one. So do people who will work in health care, child care or schools. IRCC tells you if an exam is required.
How early should I apply?
As early as your documents allow, and before you make travel bookings you cannot change. Allow time for the biometrics appointment and for your passport to be returned with the visa.
How long are biometrics valid?
Usually ten years. If you gave biometrics for an earlier visitor visa, study permit or work permit, you may not need to give them or pay for them again. IRCC’s online tool confirms whether yours are still valid.
How we help with temporary residence
If you have been refused before, we review the officer’s reasons first. We cannot guarantee approval.
1. Free evaluation
We confirm which category fits your purpose and review any earlier refusals.
2. Document list
You receive a document list written for your situation, with step-by-step instructions.
3. Preparation
We prepare the forms and a supporting letter and review everything you send.
4. Submission and follow-up
We submit the application and keep you informed until a decision is made.
Temporary residence questions and answers
Answers to the questions we hear most often.
Speak to us: Mauritius office (Port Louis) +230 5509 2429 · Canada office +1 647 612 2429 · canada@vikeshimmigration.com
Yes. Mauritian passport holders need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. An electronic travel authorization (eTA) is only for visa-exempt nationalities and a few specific cases.
No. To work you need a work permit, unless a specific exemption applies.
Only short courses of six months or less. Longer programs need a study permit.
Yes. A temporary stay does not prevent a later permanent residence application, and Canadian study or work experience can help.
We review the refusal reasons and advise whether a new application is worthwhile. A new application needs new or better evidence.
What Our Clients Are Saying
What clients say about working with us
