Visit, study or work in Canada — with the right permit for what you are actually here to do.
Temporary residence covers three distinct purposes: visiting, studying and working. Each has its own permit, its own requirements, and its own rules — and 2026 has brought real changes to all three, from smaller student intake numbers to tighter work permit processing in Halifax itself.
We will help you identify the right category, prepare a complete application, and understand how this year’s changes affect your specific situation.
What changed in 2026
Canada is deliberately shrinking its temporary resident population, targeting under 5% of the national total by the end of 2027. That policy shows up differently across visitors, students and workers.
| Category | What changed |
|---|---|
| Study permits | Canada is issuing up to 408,000 study permits in 2026 (about 155,000 new, 253,000 extensions) under stricter provincial allocations effective 1 January 2026. Proof of funds rose to $22,895 for living expenses on top of tuition and travel. Master’s and PhD students at public institutions are now exempt from needing a provincial attestation letter. |
| Work permits | From 1 April 2026, LMIA employers must advertise positions for eight consecutive weeks and show genuine efforts to recruit young Canadians. As of 10 April 2026, low-wage LMIA applications are frozen in 30 metro areas with 6%+ unemployment — including Halifax — though agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, residential care and in-home caregiving are exempt. |
| Spousal open work permits | 2026 rules removed eligibility for spouses of workers in lower-skilled occupations and most undergraduate students. This is a meaningful change if your spouse was counting on an open work permit. |
If you are hiring in Halifax at a lower-wage occupation, check whether the LMIA freeze applies to your role before you post a job. We can tell you quickly whether your position falls inside or outside the exempt sectors.
The three categories
Visitors
For tourism, visiting family, or business meetings — not work.
- A valid passport and, depending on your citizenship, either an eTA (visa-exempt countries) or a temporary resident visa (visa-required countries)
- Proof of financial support for your stay
- A clear purpose for the visit and evidence you intend to leave when authorized to stay ends
- No criminal inadmissibility or risk concerns
Most visitor stays run up to six months, with extensions possible from inside Canada if applied for before your status expires.
Students
For study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), under the tighter 2026 intake.
- Acceptance letter from a DLI
- A provincial attestation letter, unless you are a master’s or PhD applicant at a public institution
- Proof of funds: tuition, travel, and at least $22,895 in living expenses
- A clean health record and, where required, a medical exam
Depending on your program and plans, a study permit can also be a first step toward a post-graduation work permit or an economic immigration pathway later.
Workers
Employer-specific or open, depending on your situation.
- A job offer from a Canadian employer, backed by a positive LMIA or an LMIA exemption
- Proof you can support yourself financially and meet health requirements
- For LMIA-based offers in lower-wage roles, awareness of the 2026 advertising and regional freeze rules above
Canada is deliberately favouring LMIA-exempt pathways in 2026 — the International Mobility Program target runs roughly three spots for every one under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Where you qualify for an LMIA-exempt category, that route is usually faster.
Temporary or permanent — which do you need?
Temporary residence does not lead to permanent residence on its own. It is authorization to be in Canada for a defined purpose and period, nothing more, nothing less.
- If you already have Nova Scotia work experience or an eligible job offer, look at the Nova Scotia Nominee Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program.
- If you have a spouse, partner or children you want to bring permanently, that runs through family sponsorship, not a temporary permit.
- Many people do use temporary status as a genuine stepping stone — a study permit into a post-graduation work permit, or a work permit into a nomination — and we will map that route with you if it fits.
We will tell you honestly whether your temporary application supports a longer-term plan, or whether it is genuinely just for the visit, the degree, or the contract in front of you.
Frequently asked
What is the maximum time I can stay in Canada as a visitor?
Typically up to six months, with the possibility of extending from inside Canada. Apply for the extension before your current status expires — not after.
Can I work while I’m in Canada as a visitor?
No. Visitors cannot work without a valid work permit. If your plans change after arrival, you need to apply for the appropriate permit before starting any job.
Why are study permit numbers lower in 2026?
Canada is deliberately reducing its temporary resident population and has set a national cap of roughly 408,000 study permits for 2026, split between new students and extensions, with allocations set by province.
Does the Halifax LMIA freeze affect my job offer?
It depends on the wage level and sector. Low-wage LMIA applications are currently frozen in Halifax and 29 other metro areas, but agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, residential care and in-home caregiving are exempt. We will check your specific occupation and NOC code against the current rules.
Can I apply for a work permit if I am already in Canada?
Often, yes, but it depends on your current status and the type of work permit you need. Some situations require you to apply from outside Canada. We will confirm which applies to you before you submit anything.
About your consultant
Howard Brown, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, RCIC licence R713090 — verify on the CICC public register. Read more about our approach.
Ready to find out where you stand?
Take the free two-minute assessment, or get in touch to talk it through with a licensed RCIC.