If you're planning to study, work, or visit Canada, it's important to understand the difference between a visa and a permit — two terms that are often confused but serve very different purposes.
Visa = Entry Document
A visa is an official sticker or stamp placed in your passport. It gives you permission to enter Canada.
There are different types, like:
- Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa or TRV)
- Student visa (used alongside a study permit)
- Work visa (used alongside a work permit)
Think of the visa as your boarding pass to Canada. Without it, you can’t board a flight or cross the border — even if you already have a valid permit.
Permit = Stay Authorization
A permit, on the other hand, is what allows you to stay in Canada for a specific reason and length of time.
- A study permit allows you to study at a designated learning institution.
- A work permit allows you to work under specific conditions (employer, type of job, etc.).
But here’s the catch: a permit alone doesn’t allow you to enter Canada. If you leave the country and want to come back, you need a valid visa too.
