A work permit is an essential legal document which permits a foreign national to be involved in employment in Canada. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating Canada’s work permit system, including significant steps, requirements, important considerations and many other aspects.
A Canadian Work Permit is a unique document issued to specific non-Canadian individuals. Possessing a work permit allows you to work in Canada until the expiration date specified on the document. The Canadian government offers different kinds of work permits to temporary immigrants who want to work in Canada with a valid employment offer letter. These work permits can be employer-specific or open work permits. In the case of employer-specific work permits, the job is tied to a specific employer and job, whereas open work permits allow working for any employer in Canada.
Most foreign nationals need to obtain a work permit to be eligible to work in Canada, although there are some exceptions to this rule.
The majority of applicants will need a Canadian job offer backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply for a work permit. However, some individuals may apply for a work permit without needing an LMIA or a job offer, such as recent graduates of a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI) or the spouse of someone already in Canada on a work or study permit.
The applicants who qualify to apply for a work permit must also meet other eligibility requirements:
Various temporary work permits are available for foreign workers, and each permit has its eligibility criteria. For example, some work permits demand a job offer from a Canadian employer, some require LMIA, while some demand a sponsorship. Here are some categories of work permits:
In the context of Canadian immigration, the term “work” covers a wide range of activities, including those that involve payment of wages or commission or that directly compete with Canadians or permanent residents in the labour market, regardless of the length of time involved.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is typically needed to ensure that the proposed job will not harm Canadian workers. In most cases, a job offer from a Canadian employer is required to apply for a Canadian Work Permit.
LMIA Work Permit is issued to individuals after their future employer has completed a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This assessment demonstrates a need to bring this foreign worker to Canada and that a Canadian could not fill the role.
In Canada, the International Mobility Program (IMP) enables employers to bring in foreign workers without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The primary goal of this program is to facilitate the entry of foreign workers into Canada for employment purposes, all while addressing the economic and social demands of the country.
In Canada, an open work permit lets foreigners work for any employer without requiring a specific job offer or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Unlike employer-specific permits restricting individuals to a particular job, open work permits offer more flexibility and job opportunities in Canada.
There may be some restrictions depending on the type of job. For example, some jobs require proper medical certification before joining. Location can also be a restrictive component in your open permit, especially if you have an open permit under the provincial nominee class. Open permits are not permissible for employers who have failed to comply with federal conditions.
The Canadian work permit processing time varies based on multiple factors, including the place from where you are applying and the type of work permit, open or employer-specific. If we ignore the recent changes in the processing times due to Covid-19, most applications take between 1-14 weeks to process. The best way to check the latest work permit processing times changes is to check it online here.
Many foreign skilled workers transition from Canadian Work Permit to PR by getting skilled work experience. You may apply for Express Entry programs or any other economic immigration program based on the work experience you gained throughout your Canadian work permit duration. Some of the WP2PR programs you may consider after acquiring at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada are:
Here is the step-by-step process for Canada Work Permit Visa:
To be eligible to work in Canada, you must satisfy one or more conditions mentioned below:
Apart from that, you must also meet the following eligibility requirements:
The company you will work for must have an LMIA
To complete your online application for a Canada work permit visa, you must provide:
Biometrics includes fingerprints and a digital photo for identification. In this step, you make an appointment with an approved Canada Work Permit Visa Application Center to submit your biometrics.
It is necessary to have a medical examination if you plan to stay for more than six months in Canada. Panel Physicians are medical doctors authorized to conduct your immigration medical evaluations.
After that, a visa officer will approve your TRV, and finally, you can fly to Canada and show your Canadian work permit visa at the airport to enter the country.
A Canadian work permit offers various benefits to international workers seeking employment in Canada. Here are some key advantages:
If you want to apply for a work permit, you will require expert guidance to avoid any rejections. It becomes necessary as there are several types of work permits with specific requirements. ELAAR has a team of Canadian work permit experts with significant experience. We will ensure a hassle-free work visa process for you. Get in touch with our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants now.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Canadian Work Permit Visa.
There is no single type of ideal candidate for a Canadian Work Permit. You may be eligible in multiple work permit categories if you are highly educated and work in an occupation that would benefit Canadians.
IRCC may take anywhere from 1 to 9 months to process a work permit. Prospective workers are advised to apply for their work permit as soon as possible.
The work permit processing fee is currently $CAD 155.
There is no standard duration for the validity of a Canada work visa. Some are set to expire within 6 months of being issued. Others may be valid for multiple years.
You may be required to provide proof of funds for certain types of work permits.
Applicants who require assistance with their Canada work visa or Canada work permit application should get in touch with Elaar immigration. Our immigration experts can help you decide which type of work visa is best for you. They can then assist you with optimizing your application.
A Hassle-free Work Permit Visa Process with ELAAR’s licensed experts.
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