You are traveling to Canada and are confused about which Canada visa to choose, between a work visa or a PR visa. You have landed at the right place, and you will get all your answers about the work visa and PR visa. You need to apply to the IRCC to get a Canada visa. IRCC is the government body that issues visas on behalf of the Canadian government.
Work Visa in Canada:
A WP is issued by the IRCC, which can meet the recommended specifications by the Canadian government. You can apply for a work visa only after you have received an offer letter from the organization that has a registered office in Canada. The employer must issue the offer letter to the employee. The employer must obtain an ESDC certificate from the LMIA, which permits foreign skilled labor to be employed in the country.
- Rescheduling a Canada visa: Booking an appointment depends on whether you are applying for a temporary visa (visitor, work, study) or permanent residency biometrics/visa stamping.
- Types of Work Permit: Employer-specific work permits and open work permits, which are issued by the Canadian government.
- Eligibility for a work visa in Canada: The Canada visa checklist for your work visa in Canada is given below
- Leave once work is over: Present proof that you will leave the country once your work is over in Canada.
- Threat to the Country: Not to be a security risk to Canada. During the period.
- Work only for eligible employers: You can work only for employers who are registered with IRCC.
- Medical: Medical examination report for authentication of the person does not indicate any serious disease.
- Police Clearance: A Police clearance certificate is mandatory to confirm that the person does not have any sort of criminal record.
PR Visa in Canada:
The PR visa granted by the Canadian government provides permanent residential status to a non-Canadian citizen. With the help of a PR visa, the holders are eligible for protection by the government under Canadian law.
- Types of PR visa in Canada: Economic Class, Family Class, Refugees and Humanitarian Programs, and Other Special PR Programs are different types of PR visas issued by the IRCC in Canada.
- Eligibility for PR visa in Canada: Here is the checklist to confirm your eligibility for a PR visa.
- Age: Although age is not a criterion for a PR visa, anyone who is applying for the PR visa and is under 35 has better chances.
- Education: You must be educated up to senior secondary school or 12th grade.
- Work Experience: A Minimum of 1 year of experience is required to apply for the PR visa.
- Language: You must be proficient in English or French.
- Financial Stability: Individuals without an employer’s offer letter must provide proof of financial stability to reside in Canada.
- Police Clearance: No criminal record
On the above-given criteria, the candidates are ranked in points. Candidates with points above 1200 are eligible to apply for an express visa.
Key Differences between Work Visa vs PR:
Basic differences between work visa and PR visa are.
| Comparison Factor | Work Visa | PR Visa |
| Reason | A work visa provides temporary authorization that allows a foreign national to work in Canada for a specific duration. | Allows PR visa holders the authority to live, work, and study in Canada permanently. |
| Duration | Usually valid for the length of the employment contract (often 1–3 years). Renewable but not permanent. | Permanent visa subject to maintaining residency obligations, such as staying in Canada for at least 730 days every 5 years. |
| Employment Flexibility | Often employer-specific, and if you want to change jobs, you need to apply for a new permit. | Gives the PR visa holders permission to work for any employer in Canada, in any location or industry. |
| Benefits & Rights | You can work, earn a salary, and sometimes bring dependents, but facilities like benefits of free healthcare, social security, or student loans are restricted. | Full access to Canadian healthcare, education at domestic tuition fees, social benefits, etc., the only right not given is to vote. |
| Path to Citizenship | Temporary. You cannot directly apply for citizenship from a work visa; you must transition to PR first. | First step toward Canadian citizenship. After meeting residency requirements (3 years of stay in the last 5 years), you can apply for citizenship. |
| Dependents & Family | Dependents may be allowed to join, but their visas are usually tied to the worker’s permit. | You can sponsor your spouse, partner, children, parents, and grandparents for PR. |
| Renewal & Security | You should renew or extend your visa before expiry. | To maintain residency status, you must reside in Canada for 738 days out of every 5 years, regardless of your employment status. |
| Costs and Canada visa Processing Time | The cost of a Canada WP visa includes an application fee, biometric fees of CAD 155 = AED 421 and CAD 85 = AED 231, respectively, and in many cases, an employer-paid LMIA fee of CAD 1,000 = AED 2720. The processing time for the work visa in Canada takes about 4 to 6 months. | The cost of a Canada PR visa includes a CAD 850 = AED 2262 application fee, CAD 515 = AED 1371 RPRF, CAD 85 = AED 1557 for biometrics, plus additional expenses such as IELTS, ECA, medicals, and proof of funds. Processing time for a PR Visa in Canada is about 8 to 12 months. |
Pros and Cons
Pros and cons of a work visa:
The work permit process is faster, allowing you to work quickly in Canada. They can lead to PR, with spouses eligible for open work permits and children allowed to study.
However, they’re temporary, need renewal, restrict job changes, offer uncertain extension, and provide limited social benefits compared to PR status.
Pros and cons of a PR visa:
PR visas grant permanent status, freedom to work anywhere, social benefits, free education, and a path to citizenship. However, they involve longer processing, strict eligibility, higher costs, and residency obligations.