Work Permit

Work Permit Canada

A work visa or work permit is official paperwork that permits you to take a job within Canada if you are from overseas. Canada distributes nearly half a million work visas to non-permanent foreign nationals around the globe every year.

Canada is an attractive and main landing place for foreign workers searching for better employment opportunities to utilize their excellent skills. For those individuals, getting a job in Canada is a great first step, who is looking to immigrate to the country lifelong.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to work in Canada?

Some overseas workers require legal documents to give permission by which they become eligible to get a job in Canada, with some exemptions.

Most candidates will require a Canadian job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply for a work visa. There are some exceptions to this requirement, where foreign employees can apply for a work visa without an LMIA or a job offer. For example, a recent graduate from a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI), Or the spouse of someone already on a Canadian work or study permit.

  • Demonstrate their intent to leave once their work authorization expires
  • Prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family in Canada and to return home
  • Are not criminally or medically inadmissible to Canada
  • Plan to work with an eligible employer
  • Can provide any requested documents that may prove their eligibility to enter Canada
There are various ways to get a Canadian work visa. Many work visas need a job offer letter from a Canadian employer; some need that the employer provides a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), whereas others require that an individual has some sort of connection to Canada (previous education, spousal sponsorship, Etc.) Please refer to the following categories below to determine the work permit which best suits your qualifications:
 
Requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
  • Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
  • Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
  • Global Talent Stream
  • LMIA-Exempt but requiring a job offer or employment contract
  • International Mobility Program (IMP)
  • Intra-Company Transfers
  • Open Work Permits (no job offer or LMIA required)
  • Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
  • Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
  • International Experience Canada (IEC) (working holiday visa)
  • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
  • Spouse Accompanying International Student or Worker
Immigration Tip: permanent residents of Canada do not require a work permit to work in Canada. Permanent resident status gives a person the legal right to live and work anywhere in the nation. Find out more about permanent immigration options for professional and skilled workers.

Canadian work visas have different categories. That’s why the procedure for getting a Canadian work permit also has distinct rules to follow, because of which its process is completely depending on which kind of work visa an individual is applying for. For example, a student from another nation studying in Canada will generally be automatically issued consent to do a part-time job as part of their study visa authorization.

Some conditions need to be fulfilled by foreigners for closed work permit applications, so the first thing is that they must have a formal job offer letter from a Canadian employer sponsored by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even those who are LMIA-exempt or exempt from requiring a work visa should be well informed about the unique paperwork they have to prepare to ensure they are permitted to come to Canada. A restricted or closed work visa and an open work permit are only two ways to get a Canadian work visa.

In Closed work visas, overseas workers are restricted because they have to work only for the same employer at the same place unless they change their work visa because this permit is tied to specific employers.

A Canadian job offer does not necessarily mean you are eligible to apply for a work permit. A job offer must meet certain requirements to be considered valid for certain work permit applications. In most cases, to be eligible for a work permit, an applicant’s job offer must be either:
  • Supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA); or
  • Exempt from requiring an LMIA.
  • It is important to note that the province of Quebec has its process for determining the validity of an offer of employment.

If you are applying for a work visa sponsored by your employer, in that case, you may be able to take your spouse, as well as your offspring, who are dependent on you, along with you, to Canada.

Your children can get admission to Canadian educational institutions when they are school- aged and living in Canada and do not need a separate study visa. For your partner, an open

work visa is the best option; they can apply for this visa to get permission to work for any employer in Canada.

The processing fee for a closed work permit is CAD 155 per person or $255 per person for an open work permit. Additional fees will apply if you are restoring a work permit or applying as a group of performing artists.

It depends on the kind of work visa because different types of work visas have different application processes. The first and foremost thing that needs to be mentioned is the type of work permit that suits you. If you require any helping hand while figuring out the application, then without any hesitation, you can communicate with us, and our team member will help you schedule a consultation.

According to the type of work permit, the documentation process differs, so documents are needed per the work visa you are appealing for. The documentation for work permits that are essential to submit by candidates are as follows:

Completed application forms
  • Proof of status in Canada (if applicable)
  • Family member’s proof of status (if applicable)
  • Labour Market Impact Assessment (if applicable)
  • Written offer of employment (if applicable)
  • CV/ résumé
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Certificate acceptation du Québec (CAQ) (if applicable)
  • Proof that you meet the job requirements
  • Valid copy of your passport
  • Copy of education credential
  • Medical exam results (if requested)
  • Evidence of financial means to stay in Canada and return to home country
  • Proof of payment for applicable government fees
  • Recent passport-sized photos
  • Biometrics for Canadian work permits
  • IRCC currently has a temporary measure in place that exempts applicants from applying
for a work permit from within Canada. Candidates outside of Canada must still provide biometrics upon receiving a biometrics instruction letter. Follow Canada’s government’s instructions for giving your biometrics on their dedicated page.
 
Police clearances for a Canadian work permit
The visa officer reviewing your application may ask you to provide police clearance certificates. Depending on where you are applying from, this document may be part of your application checklist and must be provided with your initial submission.

Work permit applicants may be required to provide a police clearance certificate from any country they have lived in for six months or more past 18.
 
The medical exam for a Canadian work permit
Foreign nationals that apply to work in Canada may need to complete a medical exam, depending on their intended length of stay, where they have lived, and what occupation they will work in.

If you intend to work in Canada for under six months, you will likely not require a medical exam, with some exceptions. If you intend to work in a job that brings you into close contact with people or are an agricultural worker that has been to certain countries, you will need a medical exam.
 

If you are planning to work in Canada for longer than six months, you will be required to take a medical exam if one of the following conditions applies:

  • You have lived in or travelled to one of the countries listed on Canada’s ‘Find out if Do you need a medical exam page for 6-months or longer, or
  • You intend to work in an occupation where you will be in close contact with people listed in the abovementioned hyperlink
  • Medical exams must be completed with a panel physician designated by IRCC. You can find a panel physician near you on IRCC’s Find a Panel Physician webpage.
Applicants have the option to take an upfront medical exam. This involves contacting the panel physician and taking the exam before submitting a work permit application. Suppose you do not provide your medical exam results with your application. In that case, the IRCC officer will send instructions on completing the medical exam and provide a deadline for when it needs to be completed.
 
Photo requirements for a Canadian work permit
A passport-sized picture must be submitted by foreign workers to apply for a Canadian work visa and attached to their application form. Some specifications regarding pictures are mentioned by IRCC, which need to be followed by applicants.

The time taken to process a work visa application is mostly based on the kind of work permit and the candidate’s residential nation. The time process ranges from some weeks to several months for work visas everywhere.

Two types of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications are regular LMIA and simplified LMIA. The simplified LMIA is only available in the province of Quebec. The regular LMIA is processed case-by-case, with processing times varying greatly from applicant to applicant. Generally, it takes at least five months to receive a response on a regular LMIA application.

An employer eligible for Canada’s Global Talent Stream may qualify for expedited LMIA processing. The simplified LMIA completed for Quebec employment is usually processed in approximately two to three months.

It is impossible to give a success rate for work permit/LMIA applications, as all applications are processed on a case-by-case basis. If an applicant meets the requirements of the LMIA, their application should be approved. However, applications are assessed by individual officers, each exercising their discretion in choosing whether or not to approve a work permit application.

If you submitted an online work permit application, you may check the status through your online account. You may check the status by linking it to an online IRCC account if you submitted a paper-based application.
 
Reasons a Canada work permit application is refused
It is destructive when a work visa is refused. There are various causes which are founded for this action. If the reason behind refusing your application is unclear, applying for GCMS notes can be helpful to get the officer’s intention for making a new appeal for a work visa.
 
Here are some common reasons for a work permit refusal:
The officer was not convinced that you could adequately perform your intended work. The officer was not convinced that you would return to your home country at the end of your authorized stay in Canada;

You do not meet the criteria for the work permit you applied for.

If you are applying for a closed Canadian work permit, your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit.
If your spouse is eligible, they must apply for their own work permit. In most cases, they must apply for this permit online.
How you activate your work permit will depend on where you are applying from and how you are applying.
 
Activating your work permit after applying from within Canada
If your application is approved after applying for a work permit from within Canada, you will receive an approval letter from IRCC. If you apply online, the approval letter will appear in your account. The letter would arrive at your mailing address if you submitted a paper-based application. Once you have received your approval letter, your physical work permit will arrive by mail. The permit will arrive activated, and you can use it to work in Canada.
 
Activating your work permit after applying from outside Canada
Suppose your application is approved after applying from outside of Canada. In that case, you will receive a letter with instructions on obtaining your physical work permit at the Canadian port of entry (POE). The instruction letter will appear on your online account if you apply online. If you applied on paper, you would receive the letter to your mailing address.
 
Activating your work permit after applying from the port of entry
Certain applicants may be eligible to apply for a work permit at the port of entry to Canada. If you are applying for a work permit at the border, you must bring documents supporting your eligibility. If approved, the officer may immediately print the work permit at the border. This work permit can be used right away.
 
How to find a job in Canada
The starting feeling of finding a job in Canada is intimidating. Gratefully, there are many ways for individuals searching for an official job offer letter supported by a Canadian employer. At the time of starting the job search, we suggest making use of Canada’s job hunt methods, listed below. Be sure to take the time to prepare your resume and tailor your social media presence before sending out any applications!
  • Canadian Resume Guide
  • Social Media Presence Guide
  • Certain positions in Canada may require a person to know their National Occupation Classification Code (NOC Code). This code is used to classify all types of employment by Canadian standards. Canadian has also put together a tool to assist with finding your NOC Code.
Benefits of working in Canada
There are various advantages of doing a job in Canada. According to Canadian labour laws, make sure to provide the safest and most secure working space to employees as well as for the well-being of workers; employers have to follow certain rules and regulations. Canadian salaries are competitive, and workers from other countries are required, by law, to be offered the same salary structure as Canadian residents have.

Finally, many workers with Canadian work visas are allowed to take their partners and offspring along with them to Canada. What’s more, it is more beneficial for those interested in

immigrating to Canada lifelong as by getting Canadian work experience, a foreign country may increase their eligibility for some Canadian permanent residency programs. In varying degrees, the following programs award value for Canadian work experience.
 
Express Canada Entry
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
  • Quebec Immigration Programs
  • Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Generally, temporary foreign workers eligible to extend their work permits must apply online. If you plan to extend your work permit, it is recommended to do so at least 30 days before the expiry date of your current permit. While this is a recommendation, technically, an applicant must apply for the extension request until the last day of expiry.

Contact us to learn more about whether you can extend your work permit.

You can find your work permit number on the top right-hand corner of your permit, and it begins with the letter “U.”
With few exceptions, foreign nationals must obtain a work permit to work in Canada.
Foreign nationals interested in working in Canada usually require a written job offer from a Canadian employer to apply for a work permit. However, some circumstances allow foreign workers to apply for an open work permit without a job offer, which allows them to work anywhere in Canada for any employer.
Foreign workers must be at least 18 to obtain a Canadian work permit. There is no maximum age for work permit applicants unless they apply under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
Health care plans in Canada are regulated by each area and country, which are controlled by their insurance plan. Certain provinces permit individuals with work visas to apply for provincial health insurance coverage. Most provinces require residents to be physically present for certain days before becoming eligible for health insurance.
A Canadian work permit authorizes foreign nationals to work in Canada, whereas a visa is a travel document used to enter the country.

A visa, or temporary resident visa (TRV), is a physical sticker in your passport that acts as a travel document, allowing foreign nationals to enter Canada or transit through a Canadian airport.

If you leave Canada, you cannot return without a valid visa or Eta, even with a valid work permit.

Individuals do not need to take the IELTS or any other English or French language tests to apply for a work visa in Canada. However, if any job offer requires specifically French and English skills, and the applicant is a non-residence of a French or English nation, so as per the proof of language abilities, a language test must be required by the officer.

Canadian work permits are typically valid for 1-2 years, with some exceptions. A visa officer will usually not issue a work permit for longer than the validity of an applicant’s passport or past the validity indicated on the applicant’s Labour Market Impact Assessment.

(LMIA). A work permit will also not be issued for longer than the foreign national has applied to stay in Canada for or beyond the duration required for the job offer. The length of a work permit may also be shorter depending on the program the applicant is applying under.

If you travel outside of Canada, you will need your work permit and a valid travel document to re-enter. A work permit allows you to work in Canada, but alone does not permit you to travel to Canada. To come to Canada, you will need either a temporary resident visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (Eta) or a valid passport.

Canadian employers don’t “sponsor” candidates to work in Canada. However, they can assist in bringing foreign workers by securing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or submitting an electronic job offer (LMIA exempt categories). Canada requires that any Canadian employer wishing to hire a foreign worker obtain an LMIA or submit an electronic job offer. Once an employer secures an LMIA or the “A” number (electronic job offer) can be used to apply for a Canadian work permit.

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