The main difference between these two visa types is that a single entry visa allows entry to Canada for one-time only and a multiple entry visa allows entry many times.

Single entry visa?

A single-entry visa lets you travel to Canada only one time. For instance, you may only be eligible for a single-entry visa if:

 you are eligible for a fee-exemption and the purpose of your entry to Canada is limited (such as, for an official visit by a foreign national)

you are taking part in a one-time special event in Canada.

there are approved country-specific procedures or guidelines in place.

What’s the difference between a visitor visa and a visitor record?

Your processing time starts the day we receive your complete application and ends when we make a decision.

If you apply by mail, the processing time starts when your application arrives in our mailroom.

If you apply online or in-person, it starts when you submit your application.

A visitor record is a document that a border services officer may issue to you to extend or restrict your stay in Canada. If you want to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, you have to tell the border services officer.

You may also get a visitor record after we approve your application to extend your stay or restore your status. A visitor record is issued either by the Canada Border Services Agency or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

You need to apply for a visitor record when:

 you first arrive at the port of entry, and you know you want to stay longer than 6 months; or

  you’re in Canada and decide you want to stay longer.

  You must apply at least 30 days before your authorized stay in Canada expires.

  It’s an independent document (not placed in your passport).

  It includes an expiry date for your stay in Canada.

  That’s the date by which you must leave Canada.

Anyone who plans to visit Canada must apply from outside of Canada before they travel.

What your friend or family member needs depends on:

 * the type of travel document they will travel with;

  *the country that issued their travel document;

 * their nationality; and

 * how they will travel to Canada.

Employers of some types of temporary workers need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before the worker applies for a work permit. An LMIA is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada that gives the employer permission to hire a temporary worker.

An open work permit is a work permit that is not job specific. Because it is not job-specific, you will not need the following when you apply for your work permit:

 * a labour market impact assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada

  *proof that an employer has submitted an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and paid the employer compliance fee.

Some conditions will be written directly on your work permit.

These may include:

  *the type of work you can do

 * the employer you can work for

  *where you can work

 * how long you can work

If you are coming to Canada for a short time:

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can come with you to Canada or visit you in Canada, if they:

*meet all the requirements for temporary residents to Canada,

 * satisfy an immigration officer they will only stay in Canada temporarily,

  *can prove they have no criminal record, if necessary, and

  *meet all the conditions for getting a temporary resident visa, if they are from a country or territory whose citizens require a visa in order to enter Canada as visitors.

If your dependent children want to work in Canada, they must apply for their own work permit. Normally, they must meet the same requirements that you do.

In most cases, your dependent children must apply for a work permit for a specific job. However, if you’re authorized to work in Canada, your dependent children may be eligible for an open work permit.

*If your child isn’t eligible for an open work permit, their employer may have to get a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada. An LMIA is a document an employer must usually get before they can hire a foreign worker and allows an employer to hire someone for a specific job.

*Before your dependent children work in Canada, check the minimum age required to work in the type of job and province/territory that they plan to work in.

*In some cases, your dependent children will need a medical exam.

Normally, your work permit is valid for the same amount of time that your spouse or common-law partner’s work permit or study permit is valid. Your work permit will stay valid for that entire period even if

  your spouse or common-law partner’s situation changes, for example

  *they lose their job

 * they complete their studies early

 * you divorce or separate

*If these situations apply to you, you won’t be able to extend this work permit when it expires, but you may be eligible for another type of work permit.

Yes. However, your study permit is not a travel document. It doesn’t give you the right to travel to or enter Canada. Along with your permit, you may need:

 * a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or

 * an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

*Depending on where you’re from, you may only need your passport. Make sure you know which document you need to travel to and enter Canada.

Yes. You can leave Canada and return as long as your visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is still valid. If your visitor visa or eTA is expired, you must apply for and receive a new one before you leave.

Exception

*There’s only one exception to this. You may be able to re-enter Canada with an expired visitor visa (not an expired eTA) if:

  *you only visit the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon and

 * you return to Canada before your study permit expires.

When you return to Canada

If your study permit is still valid, or we extended your permit while you were away, we may let you enter as a student.

If we’re still processing your study permit extension, we may let you enter as a visitor. In this case, you can’t study until you get your extended study permit. The officer at the port of entry may also ask you to prove you have enough money to support yourself in Canada.

You don’t need to change your study permit if you’re changing your school or study program

If you’re moving to post-secondary school and want to be able to work while you study, you must apply to change the conditions of your study permit. There is a fee to make this change. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a new study permit from within Canada.

If you’re a post-secondary student

While you don’t need to change your study permit, you do have to tell us when you change post-secondary schools. Find out how to tell us that you’ve changed your post-secondary school.

If you’re moving to a school in Quebec

If you’re moving to a school in Quebec (and your previous school is outside Quebec), you must get an attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). You need a CAQ for any level of school, including primary.

While you don’t need to change your study permit, you do have to tell us when you change post-secondary schools. Find out how to tell us that you’ve changed your post-secondary school

If the learning institution you’re studying at is de-designated while you’re studying there, you can keep studying until your current study permit expires. However, you won’t be able to extend your permit unless you’re enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI).

If you’ve deferred your enrolment

If you’ve deferred your enrolment and the learning institution that issued your letter of acceptance is de-designated before you start studying, you cannot start studying at that school.

If you’re in Canada with a valid study permit

You’ll need to

*apply to and be accepted at a new DLI.

*update the information about your learning institution in MyAccount.

Most travellers need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport.

What you need depends on:

*The type of travel document you will travel with.

*the country that issued your travel document.

*your nationality; and how you will travel to Canada