Work permit vs visa: the practical difference
Many applicants mix up the work permit and the visa. The difference is practical and affects which documents the authorities expect to see.
Key takeaways
- A work permit and a visa are two different components.
- Inconsistency between the two can delay approval.
- The employer role is not the same as the worker role.
- Clarity upfront reduces back and forth later.
Overview
In practice, a work permit relates to the approval to employ, while the visa relates to entry and stay. Start with the work visa service page for the full process map.
If you already started the process, align the permit and visa details so the story is consistent. The step by step overview in article 01 helps connect the two parts.
Some situations also involve entry approvals, which adds another layer of consistency. If entry permits are part of the picture, review the entry permits page.
Practical checklist
Before you start, confirm the basics:
- Whether the job requires a specific permit category.
- The exact job role and location of employment.
- Which identity documents are already verified.
- Whether translations or apostilles are required.
- Who submits which documents at each stage.
Feeling uncertain?
We can pause, review documents, and outline a calm next step.
Common pitfalls
Frequent errors are usually conceptual:
- Assuming a work permit alone allows entry.
- Using job descriptions that do not match across forms.
- Submitting partial files without clarity on missing items.
- Relying on outdated guidance.
When to stop and double check
If you receive a request for supplementation, recheck whether the permit and visa narratives are aligned. A small mismatch can create significant confusion.
For document details, see the checklist article and the refusal prevention guide.