From the illuminated streets of Tokyo to the unspoiled nature and urban splendor of Canada, thousands of Japanese citizens each year apply for Canadian visas to live, work and study in the country. Japanese citizens and their families are making the most of the fantastic economic opportunities available in Canada, earning world-class degrees from the University of Toronto and more, and enjoying a better quality of life.
If you are looking to move to Canada from Japan, you will be happy to hear that Canada aims to welcome over 1.2 million new immigrants by 2023. This means that your chances of obtaining a permanent resident visa are bigger than ever!
In this article, we explore some of the most popular Canadian visa options for Japanese citizens and their eligibility requirements to help you make an informed decision on how you wish to come to Canada. You will soon be celebrating Asian Heritage Month in Canada!
What Are the Requirements to Apply for a Canadian Visa from Japan?
First of all, it is important to understand that there are two general categories into which Canadian visas fall. The former is permanent resident visas that you can obtain by applying through an immigration program and the latter are temporary visas. These allow you to visit, work or study in Canada on a temporary basis. Each immigration or visa program has its own eligibility requirements which may differ slightly from the conditions listed below. But most of the time, most applicants need the following documents to successfully reach Canada:
| Canadian Visa Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Requirement | Description |
| Test results that prove your English or French language abilities | There are designated tests for immigration purposes and academic purposes. |
| A valid passport/travel document | Your passport must be valid during the visa application process and during your stay in Canada if it’s temporary. |
| Police certification | Proof that you do not have a criminal record. |
| Medical examination | Proof that you are in good health and more recently, you need to include a negative COVID-19 test for travel purposes. |
| Proof of funds | You must have settlement funds for immigration purposes or enough funds to pay for a flight back during a temporary stay in Canada. |
| Proof of work experience | If you are coming to Canada for work purposes, you may have to include an up-to-date resume with contactable references. |
5 Fantastic Canadian Visa Options
1. Express Entry for Skilled Workers
Type of Canadian Visa: To permanently live and work in CanadaAdvertisements
Cost of Visa: CAD $1325 processing fee + right of permanent residence
Canada’s Express Entry immigration system is one of the most popular ways to get a Canadian permanent resident visa if you’re a skilled worker and it only takes about six to eight months to process. This year, the Express Entry admission target is set at admitting 108, 500 new residents!
How does it work? By simply creating an online Express Entry profile with information about your age, language skills, education, and work experience you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Your profile will then be entered into an Express Entry draw, which takes place every two weeks, and if you score among the highest in your draw pool, you will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada!
The ideal Express Entry candidate would meet the following requirements:
- Be under 30 years old
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, or a Trade Certificate
- Be able to demonstrate moderate to high English and/or French language proficiency
- Have at least three years of skilled work experience
Other ways to boost your chances of receiving an ITA include:
- Higher language proficiency in English and/or French
- French and English Proficiency
- A Master’s degree or Ph.D. education
- Canadian work or educational experience
- The family currently residing in Canada
- An arranged employment offer from a Canadian company
- A nomination from a provincial nominee program
2. Canadian Work Permit
Purpose of Canadian Visa: To work in Canada temporarily
Cost of Visa: CAD $155 processing fee
If you have a job offer in Canada then the next step is to apply for a Canadian work permit from Japan. Without a work permit, you can’t perform most paid work in the country. However, you and your employer should know that applying for a work permit is not as straightforward as it may seem.
Depending on the nature of your job, the position you hold, and the circumstances of your employment, you will either apply through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP). If you qualify for the TFWP, your employer will have to take an additional step and apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
For example, if you are a company transferee then you can apply for a work permit under the IMP. But if you are employed to fill skills or labor shortage at a Canadian company, then you’ll most likely have to apply through the TFWP.
Different types of Canadian work permits:
- Post-Graduate Work Permit
- Open Work Permit
- Working Holiday Visa
- Employer-Specific Work Permit
- Bridging Work Permit
3. Working Holiday Visa
Purpose of Canadian Visa: To work part-time and travel in Canada
Cost of Visa: CAD $153 processing fee
It is one of the most attractive Canadian visas, available exclusively to citizens of Japan and 34 other countries. The Working Holiday Visa allows young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 to work part-time in Canada while exploring the great and beautiful country for up to 12 months.
This is the perfect option for travel influencers who want to document their time in Canada, recent graduates looking for a way to spend their gap year in an epic way, young adults who want to gain work experience in Canada. Canada through an internship or elsewhere. . concerts or simply to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!
4. Canadian Study Permit
Purpose of Canadian Visa: To gain a Canadian post-secondary qualification
Cost of Visa: CAD $150 processing fee
According to data released in 2020, Canada is the third most popular destination for international students, after the United States and Australia. International students are drawn to universities and colleges across the country and particularly to Ontario, which is home to 48% of Canada’s international student population. The University of Toronto, McMaster University, and the University of Waterloo are just a few of the province’s most prestigious educational institutions.
What makes Canada an even better option for international students are the more affordable study programs, the ability to work part-time while you study, and various postgraduate immigration opportunities. The most popular is the Graduate Work Permit, which allows recent international graduates to stay in the country and gain meaningful Canadian work experience.
Confused about how or where to start the study process in Canada? We have established partnerships with Canadian colleges and universities. Our dedicated team of student advisers can organize absolutely everything for you, from your admission letter to your study permit, we take care of everything.
5. Canadian Business Visa
Purpose of Canadian Visa: To immigrate to Canada as a business owner
Cost of Visa: From CAD $2, 075 including the right of permanent residence
There is nothing the Canadian government loves more than immigrants that help create jobs and invest in the country. For this reason, there are amazing visa options for business savvy Japanese residents to start their own business in Canada or buy existing businesses. Forbes magazine named Canada the best country for business due to low corporate tax rates and stable banking systems.
Opportunities for small businesses abound in Canada and range from transportation and storage to restaurants, especially those that specialize in Asian cuisine because Canadians love sushi. Alice Chung, the owner behind Alive Health Center, a chain of 29 vitamin and health supplement stores in Canada, is a Mayan immigrant who won the 2015 RBC Entrepreneur Award in Canada. It just goes to show that success is possible in the Far North, no matter where you come from.
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