01 Identity certificate and application

Definition of maple leaf card and visa

The maple leaf card represents the qualification of a permanent resident in Canada and it gives cardholders the right to live, find employment and receive education in Canada for a long time. Having a maple leaf card means having permanent residence in Canada, but this does not mean holding Canadian nationality. The Canadian visa acts as a "pass" role for foreign citizens to enter, stay or travel through Canada within a specific period of time. There are many types of visas, including temporary resident visas, such as tourist visas, student visas and work visas, as well as permanent resident visas.

Application conditions

Maple Leaf Card application eligibility is limited to individuals who have obtained permanent Canadian resident status and applicants must meet specific requirements including residence obligations. At the same time, the application conditions for different types of visas vary. Taking a tourist visa as an example, the applicant must prove that he has sufficient travel funds and arrangements to return to his hometown; the applicant for a student visa needs to prove that he has been admitted to a Canadian school and has the ability to pay tuition and living expenses; as for a work visa, the applicant must be invited by a Canadian employer.

02 Applicable population and rights and obligations

Applicable groups

Maple Leaf Cards are mainly targeted at expats who have successfully obtained permanent resident qualifications in Canada. The Canadian visa is suitable for those who plan to travel, business, study or work in Canada in a short period of time, and are willing to immigrate to Canada.

Rights and obligations

Maple Leaf Card holders can enjoy similar benefits to Canadian citizens, including medical and educational resources, but they are not authorized to participate in political voting. People holding Canadian visas have the right to legally enter and stay in Canada during the visa validity period, but their rights are relatively limited. For example, tourist visas are only allowed for sightseeing purposes, and tourists must leave Canada before the visa expires.

03 Validity period and renewal

Validity period

The validity period of the maple leaf card is generally five years. Once the term expires, the renewal procedure must be completed in a timely manner. As for Canadian visas, their validity period will vary depending on the type of visa and the specific situation of the applicant. For example, a tourist visa may be a single or multiple round trip, and the duration of each stay is different; as for student visas and work visas, their validity period is usually closely linked to the duration of study or work.

Renewal and use

When applying for renewal of the maple leaf card, you must submit the corresponding application materials and pay the corresponding fees. At the same time, the duration of residence in Canada is also a necessary condition for renewal, and after the renewal is successful, the applicant must continue to bear the residence responsibility. During the validity period of the Canadian visa, applicants can use the visa to enter Canada multiple times without additional renewal. However, every time you enter the country, the applicant must comply with the corresponding entry regulations.