Venezuelans who want to move to Canada have many options. These options include temporary stays and permanent residence. Canada’s immigration system focuses on the individual, not nationality. This means Venezuelan citizens are assessed based on whether they meet program rules, not on where they come from.
Well, Venezuelans can apply to enter Canada as visitors, students, workers, or permanent residents. Family sponsorship options are also available. Each pathway has its own rules and process.
This article explains how Venezuelans can work, study, and settle in Canada and what are the main immigration options available to them, including:
Temporary resident pathways such as:
- Visitor visas
- Study permits
- Work permits
Permanent residence (PR) pathways such as:
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- Federal pilots and special pathways
- Family sponsorship programs
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Temporary Resident (TR) Pathways
Visitor Visa
What It Is:
A visitor visa is placed inside a passport and allows a person to travel to Canada as a visitor. Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to six months per visit.
A visitor visa does not allow work or study. However, in some cases, a person inside Canada may later apply for a study permit or work permit if eligible.
Basic Requirements:
Applicants usually must show:
- A valid passport
- Enough money to support the stay and return travel
- Strong ties to the home country
- No criminal or medical issues that make them inadmissible
Typical Application Steps (Outside Canada):
- Collect documents showing the reason for travel, such as tourism, family visit, or business
- Apply online (paper applications are only allowed in special cases)
- Give biometrics, if required
- If approved, send the passport to the visa office so the visa can be added
Study Permit
What It Is:
A study permit allows foreign nationals to study in Canada. Many study permits also allow limited work during studies, depending on the permit conditions.
Most students must apply for a study permit and a visa before travelling to Canada.
Important Documents:
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) in most cases
- Proof of enough funds for tuition, living costs, and travel
Typical Application Steps:
- Receive an LOA and PAL/TAL (and a Quebec Acceptance Certificate if studying in Quebec)
- Apply online with all required documents
- Provide biometrics and attend a medical exam if requested
- If approved, receive a letter of introduction and a visa for travel
After graduation, many international students may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This allows graduates to work in Canada and gain experience that may help with permanent residence later.
Work Permits
What They Are:
Work permits allow foreign nationals to work full time in Canada. There are two main types:
- Employer-specific work permits, which limit work to one employer
- Open work permits, which allow work for most employers in Canada
Some work permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA shows that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the Canadian job market.
LMIA-based permits usually require a job offer. Open work permits are often given for reasons such as supporting graduates or family unity.
Work permits are important because Canadian work experience can help with PR eligibility.
Typical Application Steps:
- Confirm the correct work permit type
- Apply online with job documents, proof of funds, and required exams
- If approved, receive a letter of introduction and travel visa if needed
Important Information For Venezuelans Applying For TR Visas
Understanding Removal Risk And How To Avoid It
Under Canadian law, immigration officers must be sure that a temporary resident will leave Canada when their authorized stay ends. This rule applies to all temporary applications, such as visitor visas, study permits, and work permits.
Because of past and current political instability in Venezuela, applications from Venezuelan nationals may receive closer review. Immigration officers look at the risk that an applicant may not leave Canada before making a decision.
If an officer is not satisfied that the applicant will leave Canada, the temporary resident application can be refused.
Moreover, in refusal letters, IRCC usually does not mention political conditions directly. Instead, refusals are often based on general reasons, such as weak ties to the home country, limited finances, unclear travel purpose, or poor travel history. These reasons all relate to doubts about whether the applicant would leave Canada.
Ways To Meet Canada’s Temporary Resident Requirements:
- Clearly Explain The Purpose Of Travel: Provide strong documents, such as a travel plan or family visit details for visitors, a letter of acceptance and study plan for students, or a job offer and employer letter for workers.
- Show Return Plans: For visitor visas, proof of a return flight can strengthen the application.
- Prove Enough Money: Show funds to pay for travel, tuition (if required), living costs, and return travel.
- Show Strong Reasons To Return To Venezuela: This may include a job or studies, family responsibilities, property or rental agreements, assets, or legal status and strong ties in another country if living outside Venezuela.
- Be Consistent And Accurate: All forms and documents should match, including dates, addresses, work history, and family details. Errors can harm credibility and may lead to serious consequences, such as misrepresentation.
- Use Dual Intent Correctly: It is allowed to apply for temporary status while also planning for permanent immigration, as long as the officer is satisfied that the applicant would leave Canada if required.
Canada’s Recognition Of Venezuelan Passport Validity
Canada accepts a Venezuelan National Assembly decision that extends some Venezuelan passports by five years, starting from August 19, 2019. This does not apply to provisional passports. This policy helps applicants who would otherwise have expired passports continue to apply.
In some temporary resident applications, IRCC counts the passport expiry date as the printed date plus five extra years. However, if the passport is still expired even after adding those five years, IRCC will treat it as expired and the application may be refused.
These issues can affect visa decisions and should be reviewed carefully before applying.
Permanent Residence (PR) Pathways: Overview
Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s main system for skilled workers. It manages applications for:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
CEC is for people with at least one year of Canadian work experience. FSWP and FSTP allow foreign work experience.
General Process:
- Create an Express Entry profile
- Receive a CRS score
- Enter the pool and wait for a draw
- Receive an invitation to apply
- Submit a PR application
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
PNPs allow provinces to nominate workers who meet local needs. All provinces and territories except Quebec and Nunavut have PNPs.
Many Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams prefer candidates with work or study experience in the province. Some allow applications from outside Canada.
Candidates may either:
- Apply directly through a provincial stream, or
- Receive an Express Entry-linked nomination
An Express Entry-linked nomination adds 600 CRS points, which almost guarantees an invitation.
Federal Pilots And Other Pathways
Canada also runs special pilot programs. These programs focus on specific regions or groups.
Examples include:
- Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots: These are permanent residence programs for people who have a job offer from an approved employer and agree to live in a participating community. The Francophone pilot also requires French language skills.
- Atlantic Immigration Program: This is a permanent residence program for people who have a job offer from an approved employer in an Atlantic province and plan to live in that province.
Family Immigration Options
Parents And Grandparents Program (PGP) And Super Visa
These programs allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring parents or grandparents from Venezuela.
PGP:
- A permanent residence program
- Opens by invitation only
- The 2025 intake invited sponsors from the 2020 interest pool
Super Visa:
- A long-term visitor visa
- Allows stays of up to five years per visit
- Valid for up to 10 years
The PGP offers permanent residence, while the Super Visa offers long stays but not PR.
Spousal Sponsorship
If a Canadian citizen or permanent resident has a spouse or common-law partner in Venezuela, they can sponsor them for permanent residence through family sponsorship.
The sponsor must choose the correct application type. The Family Class is used when the spouse or partner is outside Canada. On the other hand, the in-Canada class is used when the spouse or partner is already in Canada and meets the requirements.
Moreover, if the spouse or partner is outside Canada, they may still apply for a visitor visa after the PR application is submitted. Approval is not guaranteed, but these applications may be processed faster.
If the sponsored person is in Canada and has submitted the PR application, they can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit. This allows them to work in Canada while waiting for the PR decision.
Explore your pathway to move to Canada with Immigtoronto. Our team of skilled RCICs offers customized immigration solutions, ensuring a trustworthy and professional process. Contact us at [email protected].
