Work in Canada after you graduate: How to apply

We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.

If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you鈥檙e eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.

Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.

If you鈥檙e between 14 and 79 years old, you probably need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years to make repeat trips to Canada easier.

Find out who needs to give, how to give, and where to give your biometrics.

After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.

If we need more information from you, we鈥檒l contact you.

When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you鈥檙e approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.

If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.

Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes travel documents like a visitor visa, study or work permits or an eTA (electronically linked to your passport).

Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don鈥檛 have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.

Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.

When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.

If we can鈥檛 verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.

If the officer determines that you鈥檙e not admissible to Canada, you won鈥檛 be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you鈥檒l have to take a return flight to where you came from.

If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You鈥檙e normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.