September 7, 2025

Many newcomers confuse a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa, TRV) with a Visitor Record (IMM 1442). While they sound similar, they serve completely different purposes in Canadian immigration. Misunderstanding the difference can affect your legal status, your ability to travel, and even your immigration application. What is a Visitor Visa? A Visitor Visa is a sticker placed in your passport. It is issued by a Canadian visa office outside Canada and is required for citizens of certain countries before traveling. Purpose: Allows visa-required nationals to travel to a Canadian port of entry and request entry. When Issued: Before you come to Canada, usually after approval of a study permit, work permit, or visit application. Example: David receives approval for a work permit. Along with his permit, a Visitor Visa (TRV) is placed in his passport so he can fly to Canada. At the airport or border, the officer issues his work permit. Important: A Visitor Visa lets you enter Canada but does not extend your stay once you are inside. What is a Visitor Record? A Visitor Record is a document issued inside Canada. It does not go in your passport and does not allow re-entry if you leave the country. Instead, it lets you stay longer in Canada or maintain legal status after your current permit expires. Purpose: To extend your stay or change your status to visitor. When Issued: After arriving in Canada, if you apply before your current status expires. Restrictions: No travel rights, no work rights, and no study rights. Example: Maria’s PGWP is expiring. To remain in Canada while waiting for another application, she applies for a Visitor Record. This keeps her status legal but does not let her leave and re-enter Canada. Practical Scenarios for a Visitor Record Inland Spousal Sponsorship – If you’re in Canada as a visitor while applying for PR, a Visitor Record ensures you maintain status while waiting. Extending a Visit – If your six-month entry is about to expire, you can apply for a Visitor Record to stay longer. Special Circumstances (Case Law Examples): Family caregiving / compassionate needs – Quraishi vs Canada, 2021 FC 1145 Representation errors – Bisht vs Canada, 2022 FC 1178 Religious or long-term volunteer work – Singh vs Canada, 2022 FC 1643 Dependent rights / health coverage – Manitoba Health Appeal Board, 2025 CanLII 22552 Family violence / humanitarian cases – Kadye vs Canada, 2022 FC 865; Wray-Hunt vs Canada, 2023 FC 1687; Coins vs Canada, 2025 FC 349 Visitor Visa vs Visitor Record at a Glance Feature Visitor Visa Visitor Record Purpose Enter Canada Stay longer in Canada Form TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) IMM 1442 Visitor Record Issued By Canadian consulate/embassy outside Canada IRCC inside Canada When Needed Before travelling to Canada After arriving, to extend or change stay How It Looks Sticker in passport Separate paper document Travel Rights Yes (until expiry) No (not valid for re-entry) Validity Typically up to 6 months per entry Duration specified in record Key Takeaway A Visitor Visa is about entry into Canada. A Visitor Record is about staying longer legally once you’re inside. Confusing the two can create status issues. If you need to extend your stay or change conditions, apply for a Visitor Record before your current permit expires. At A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation, we help visitors, students, and workers maintain legal status and avoid refusals. Contact us today for your first free in-person consultation and let our experienced immigration lawyer guide you through Visitor Visa and Visitor Record applications.

In previous years, many international students in Manitoba secured permanent residency (PR) through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) with just a one-year diploma or certificate. However, in 2025 the situation has drastically changed, making it almost impossible to achieve PR through this pathway. The 1-Year Diploma Challenge After completing a one-year program, graduates apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The process takes 5–7 months, during which students maintain implied status and can work. Once approved, the PGWP is valid for only one year, giving graduates just 19 months in total to secure PR. Option 1: International Education Stream (IES) The most common route is the Career Employment Pathway under IES. However, recent draws show stricter conditions—requiring close relatives in Manitoba or four years of work experience. Applicants unable to justify their situation will receive Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL), delaying the process up to 2–3 years. Even PhD holders are competing for in-demand jobs to qualify under IES, making it extremely competitive. Option 2: Skilled Worker in Manitoba There has been no draw since March 21, 2025 in this pathway, creating further uncertainty for applicants. The Best Advice For most students, a 1-year PGWP offers little to no chance of PR in 2025. Since PGWP is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, using it after a short program can severely limit future immigration options. The smarter choice is to pursue a 2-year study program, which leads to a 3-year PGWP and far more immigration pathways. If you cannot afford a 2-year program, it’s important to discuss alternative options with an immigration lawyer before applying for PGWP. At A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation, we provide personalized guidance to help students plan the right pathway. Contact us today for your first free in-person consultation. How to Determine Your Correct NOC for Canadian Immigration Selecting the correct National Occupation Classification (NOC) code is one of the most important steps in any Canadian immigration application. A minor NOC error can lead to a major refusal from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), delaying your Permanent Residency (PR) or work permit application. This guide explains what NOC is, how codes are structured, and how to avoid common mistakes when choosing your NOC. What is a NOC? The NOC system is Canada’s official classification of occupations. Every job has a unique five-digit code that reflects: 1.  Job title 2.  Main duties 3.  Industry 4.  Education, training, and experience required For example: ·    63200 – Cooks ·    65201 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support occupations How NOC Codes Are Structured 1. First Digit – Broad Occupational Category The first digit identifies the field of work and is divided into 10 broad categories: First Digit Category Example Field 0 60030 – Restaurant managers Management 1 11100 – Accountants Business, finance, admin 2 22220 – Computer network technicians Natural/applied sciences 3 32120 – Medical lab technologists Health 4 41200 – University professors Education, law, social services 5 51110 – Artists Art, culture, recreation 6 63200 – Cooks Sales & service 7 72300 – Plumbers Trades, transport 8 84100 – Agriculture workers Natural resources 9 95100 – Assembly line workers Manufacturing 2. Second Digit – TEER Level TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. It shows the skill level of the job. TEER Meaning Example NOCs 0 Management jobs 60030 Restaurant managers, 10010 Financial managers 1 University degree required 21231 Software engineers, 11100 Accountants 2 College/technical diploma (2+ years) 63200 Cooks, 72200 Electricians 3 College diploma or apprenticeship (<2 years) 63202 Bakers, 13102 Payroll administrators 4 High school or job-specific training 64100 Retail salespersons, 14101 Receptionists 5 Short-term work, no formal education 85121 Landscaping labourers, 65310 Cleaning staff The higher the TEER level, the higher the skill requirements. 3rd & 4th Digits – Major and Sub-Major Groups These digits classify the field and specialization. ·  Example: 11100 = Accountant (Finance field → Accounting specialization). ·  Example: 11201 = Business consultant (Business field → Consulting specialization). 5th Digit – Specific Occupation The last digit distinguishes the exact job within the specialization. · 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors · 31301 – Registered nurses · 31302 – Nurse practitioners How to Verify Your NOC When selecting your NOC, review the following on the official Government of Canada NOC website: 1.     Lead Statement – Overview of the job and its purpose. 2.     Main Duties – Must closely match your actual job responsibilities. o   Example: Cook (63200) = “Prepare and cook complete meals.” o   Jobs at Tim Hortons or McDonald’s do not qualify as “Cook” because they don’t involve preparing complete meals. 3.     Employment Requirements – Required education, training, or certifications. o   Example: NOC 41200 University professors requires a Master’s or PhD. 4.     Exclusions – Lists jobs that look similar but are classified differently. o   Example: Chefs are 62200, not 63200. 5.     Additional Information – Context on job outlook, trends, or unique notes. Why Choosing the Right NOC Matters IRCC officers assess your application by comparing your job offer and work experience to the lead statement and main duties of your chosen NOC. If there’s a mismatch: ·  Your application may face a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL). ·  You risk refusal for misrepresentation or incorrect classification. This is especially important under Manitoba’s International Education Stream (IES), where “on-field and in-demand” rules require your job to directly align with both your NOC and field of study. An incorrect NOC can cost you time, money, and even your chance at PR. At A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation, we carefully analyze your education, work experience, and job duties to identify the correct NOC. Book your first free in-person consultation today with Dr. Muhammad Abrar, Canadian Lawyer, and reduce your chances of refusal.

Applying for a so-called dummy work permit in Canada may sound like a shortcut, but it’s actually illegal, unethical, and extremely risky. Many applicants consider filing a work permit application without proper eligibility—just to buy time. However, this practice can lead to 100% refusal, a 5-year ban for misrepresentation under IRPA s.40, and long-term damage to future immigration applications. What is a Dummy Work Permit? A “dummy” work permit application happens when someone applies without meeting eligibility criteria. For example: An employer has not yet submitted a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), but the worker files a work permit application anyway.This creates a false impression of eligibility, which IRCC treats as misrepresentation. Why It’s Risky? On May 28, 2025, IRCC issued updated guidance confirming that filing multiple in-Canada extension applications no longer prolongs maintained status. That means: If your first application is refused, all duplicate or pending applications are automatically rejected. Applying for a dummy work permit is no longer a way to “buy time. The Right Path If your employer has already submitted your LMIA application, you may apply for a work permit by attaching the LMIA submission receipt and explanation. Once the LMIA is approved, you can update IRCC through a webform. This keeps your application legal and compliant while preserving your chances of approval. Short-Term “Benefit” vs. Long-Term Loss Dummy Work Permit: May give 4–7 months of temporary maintained status, but always ends in refusal and a record of misrepresentation. Proper LMIA-Based Application: Lets you work legally under maintained status until IRCC decides. If refused, you still have a 90-day restoration period or can switch to a Visitor Record. Conclusion A dummy work permit may seem like a short-term benefit, but it almost always results in refusal and can ruin your immigration future. Instead, follow the correct process and consult an immigration lawyer to protect your status. Book your first free in-person assessment with A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation to explore legal options. Follow us on Instagram for the latest Canadian immigration updates.