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6 Simple Steps to Apply for a Canadian Work Permit

There are currently thousands of jobs in Canada for immigrants. Whether you’re skilled or unskilled, if you’re qualified, have the experience, and meet the general requirements of your chosen visa program, the opportunities are endless.

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    How to Apply For a Canadian Work Permit?

    Are you adamant about working in Canada? If so, you probably need to apply for a work permit in Canada. There are several programs and streams available in Canada that let foreign employees immigrate and engage in temporary employment in specific professions.

    This comprehensive reference to Canada’s work visa will emphasize your alternatives for employment, if a work permit is necessary, what it entails, how to apply, and address any questions you may have about the process.

    Thousands of employment is currently available in Canada for immigrants. Regardless of your level of ability, if you’re qualified, have the necessary experience, and satisfy the general requirements, you have endless opportunities.

    Another great benefit for temporary workers is that their spouse or partner might be qualified to apply for an open work permit and work alongside them in Canada. Additionally, if their children can attend school without them needing a separate study permit, they will be able to live and work in Canada, with the possibility of applying for permanent residence if they accumulate enough Canadian work experience. But before we go any further, let’s look at all you need to know about the entire work visa application process in Canada.

    What is the Temporary Foreign Work Permit Program?

    Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) jointly administer the Temporary Foreign Work Permit Program (TFWP). It was developed to assist Canadian firms in hiring skilled overseas employees for in-demand positions in the country and to close the skills gap in particular occupations.

    It is intended to guarantee the rights of temporary foreign workers so they may do their jobs in a secure and safe environment. The Labour Market Impact Assessment, which, with a few exemptions, is a necessity for all temporary foreign workers in Canada, is a crucial part of the TFWP.

    Labour Market Impact Assessment

    A Labour Market Impact Assessment, often known as an LMIA, is a document that demonstrates that no local candidate could fill the position for which you are applying in Canada. The good news is that you won’t need to apply, despite the fact that the application procedure can be fairly difficult. An LMIA must be obtained for you by your employer, but it is advisable to learn as much as you can about the procedure because you will require a copy of your LMIA in order to submit an application for a work visa. As was previously indicated, several professions do not call for an LMIA. The advantages that come from economic and cultural advantages as well as other positive aspects typically determine this.

    Temporary Foreign Work Permit Streams

    International Mobility Program

    Temporary foreign employees without LMIAs are eligible for the International Mobility Program. Canada has a number of relationships and trade agreements with various nations, including those in the EU (Canada-European Union Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA), the United States (North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA), Chile (Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement), Peru (Canada-Peru FTA), Columbia (Canada-Columbia FTA), Korea (Canada-Korea FTA), and Chile (Canada-Chile FTA). It also has agreements with specific occupations listed in the General Agreement on Trade (GAT).

    International Mobility Program General Trade Agreement Occupations

    Group

    Occupation

    Group 1

    Engineers

    Agrologists

    Architects

    Forestry professionals

    Geomatics Professionals

    Land surveyors

    Group 2

    Foreign legal consultants

    Urban Planners

    Senior Computer specialists

    It is crucial to remember that candidates applying under the GAT must be citizens of one of the countries listed here on the website of the World Trade Organization. They will also only be permitted to work in Canada with a TFWP for a maximum of three months or 90 straight days within a year.

    High-Wage Employee

    This stream is for Canadian employers looking to engage a temporary foreign worker who will make at least the provincial or territorial median hourly salary while working in Canada.

    Low-Wage Employee

    This stream is for Canadian firms who seek to hire a temporary foreign worker who will make less than the provincial or territorial median hourly rate.

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    Agricultural workers from abroad

    Employers in Canada can hire people through the Agricultural Stream or the Seasonal Agricultural Stream Agricultural workers from abroad on a temporary basis.

    Workers in agriculture must be employed on a farm that generates one of the following products:

    • apiary products;
    • fruits, vegetables (including canning/processing of these products if grown on the farm)
    • mushrooms
    • flowers
    • nursery-grown trees including Christmas trees, greenhouses/nurseries
    • pedigreed canola seed
    • sod
    • tobacco
    • bovine
    • dairy
    • duck
    • horse
    • mink
    • poultry
    • sheep
    • swine

    To apply for a seasonal agricultural worker visa under the SAWP, you must be a citizen of one of the member nations. Seasonal agricultural workers are permitted to work in Canada for up to 8 months.

    The nations that are a part of SAWP are listed below:

    • Mexico;
    • Anguilla;
    • Antigua and Barbuda;
    • Barbados;
    • Dominica;
    • Grenada;
    • Jamaica;
    • Montserrat;
    • St. Kitts-Nevis;
    • St. Lucia;
    • St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and
    • Trinidad and Tobago.
    Home Support Personnel

    The Home Childcare Provider Pilot and The Home Support Worker Program were both introduced by IRCC after the Live-in Caregiver Program was shut down in June 2019. These initiatives enable qualified carers to both life and work in Canada temporarily for 2 years. And after gaining some experience, they can apply for PR.

    International Academics

    During the semester and for a longer period of time during breaks, all international students are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week; however, if you would want to work for a longer period of time, you will require a temporary work permit. Under specific conditions, specialized foreign researcher students may be granted an exemption to go to Canada to study for up to 120 days in a row. On the other hand, researchers must request a temporary work permit.

    Work Permit Types

    There are two types of work permits available in Canada:

    • The Open Work Permit; and
    • The Employer-Specific Work Permit.

    Open Work Permit

    You can work for any employer, anywhere in Canada, with an open work permit as long as:

    • They have not been found disqualified for failing to meet requirements; or
    • Stripteases, exotic dance, escort services, and erotic massages are not frequently provided by the establishment.

    Employer-Specific Work Permit

    You may work in Canada within the terms outlined in your work permit with an employer-specific work permit, namely:

    • The precise name of your employer
    • The period of time you are permitted to reside and work in Canada; the area in which you are permitted to do so.

    Remember: Before you begin the application process for your employer-specific work visa, make sure your company has performed the essential steps. You will require a duplicate of your LMIA or an offer of employment number.

    Do I Qualify?

    Can you submit a work permit application? This is the challenging part because the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program both offer numerous open and closed work visas kinds. Each work visa is created with a specific set of objectives and sorts of foreign workers in mind. Your eligibility for a certain sort of work permit is determined by things like

    • age 
    • your intended line of work in Canada;
    • the nation in which you reside;
    • your position as an immigrant;
    • Whether you are applying from within Canada or abroad; and
    • Your qualifications and abilities

    The best way to determine your eligibility for a work visa in Canada is to complete an online eligibility assessment, which not only informs you of your ability to work there but also identifies which work permit program you are eligible for.

    International Mobility Program (IMP)

    Canadian work permits issued through the International Mobility Program (IMP) may be open or closed. Since you don’t need to complete a labor market impact assessment and work permits are frequently processed in less than two weeks, applying for a work permit under this method is simpler and quicker. To find out if you qualify to apply, look at the most common work permit streams under the IMP and their conditions.

    International Experience Canada (IEC)

    The IEC is intended for young adults from 37 member countries who are between the ages of 18 and 30 or 35 and want to work and travel in Canada. Under the IEC, there are three major categories of travel and employment opportunities, including Working Holiday (open work permit), Young Professionals, and International Co-op (employer-specific work permits).

    Post-Graduate Work Permit

    If an international student has graduated from a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) and wishes to work temporarily in the country, they may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (open work permit). They must have a study program that lasts more than eight months and a valid study permit when they apply for a work permit.

    Agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico (CUSMA)

    Under the CUSMA agreement, individuals from the United States and Mexico can receive work permits that are particular to their workplace.

    Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

    Canadian employment permits issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) are rigorously closed. For one of the TFWP streams, you need to have a job offer that is backed up by a labor market impact study. Because the TFWP focuses primarily on the labor market requirements of Canadian companies, the application procedure is longer and involves more steps. The following are the TFWP work permit streams:

    • High Wage Worker Stream
    • Low Wage Worker Stream
    • Seasonal and Non-Seasonal Agricultural Worker Stream
    • Global Talent Stream

    No matter where you apply or the kind of work visa you request, you must:

    • Show an officer that you have the means to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada and to return home and that you intend to leave the country when your work visa expires.
    • observe the law and don’t have any criminal history;
    • be in good health and, if necessary, undergo a medical exam;
    • Do not intend to work for a company with the status “ineligible” on the list of companies that did not meet the requirements;
    • Provide any additional papers the officer requests.
    Exemptions for Canadian Work Permits

    There are some foreign workers who are permitted to work temporarily in Canada without Canadian work permits in extremely particular professions. Foreign workers will either need to get temporary residence visas or electronic travel authorizations in these circumstances in order to enter Canada. Others are merely required to present current passports.

    Foreign Nationals Who Can Work in Canada Without a Work Permit

    • Athletes or Coaches: participating in Canada are foreign athletes, coaches, or members of foreign teams.
    • An investigator for aviation incidents or accidents: the Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act’s accredited agents or advisers engaged in an investigation into an aircraft accident or incident.
    • Business Visitor: Canada welcomes individuals who are interested in making an investment or starting a business there. Visitors who are engaged in business-related activities such as site inspections or partner meetings are not employed in Canada.
    • Civil Aviation Inspector: Those in charge of inspecting commercial airlines’ cabin safety or flight operations during international flights are known as civil aviation inspectors.
    • Convention Organizer: People who plan and manage international gatherings or conventions, including, among many others, the Canadian International Autoshow and Comic-Con Canada.
    • Crew members: People who work on foreign-owned and registered vehicles (trucks, buses, ships, or airplanes) that are primarily used to transport goods and people across international borders, and whose job responsibilities include driving and serving passengers.
    • Emergency Service Provider: People who lend a hand during crises to protect lives or property. Natural catastrophes like floods or earthquakes as well as industrial accidents that endanger the environment are examples of emergencies.
    • Examiner and Evaluator: Professors or other academic professionals who supervise or evaluate research proposals, university theses, or academic initiatives. They may work for Canadian universities or research organizations.
    • Expert Witness or Investigator: Those who must testify in front of a governing body, a tribunal, or a court of law.
    • Family Members of a Foreign Representative: spouses and kids of foreign representatives with Global Affairs Canada accreditation (GAC).
    • Foreign Government Officer or Representative: Employee, diplomat, or official representative of a foreign government who is employed under an exchange agreement that permits officials to work in Canadian government agencies.
    • Healthcare Student: A clinical clerkship and training are being completed by healthcare students in less than four months.
    • Judge, Referee, or Similar Official Officials: who will serve as judges or referees for artistic or cultural events, such as music and dance festivals, animal shows, or agricultural competitions, in international amateur competitions.
    • Military personnel: who are members of another country’s armed forces are entering Canada in accordance with the Visiting Forces Act, according to their movement instructions.
    • A news reporter or a member of the media: Members of a film or media crew who won’t work in Canada, as well as news reporters or members of a reporter’s team.
    • Producers or Staff Members: engaged in commercial photography for television magazines or other media that has received foreign funding. Producers, performers, directors, technicians, and other key personnel are among these employees.
    • Performing Artists: foreign performers who will visit Canada for a brief period of time. Theater companies, street performers, a traveling circus, rodeo competitors, and visitors to Canadian television or radio programs are just a few examples.
    • Public Speaker: Public speakers, business presenters, or seminar instructors who are giving presentations at certain events lasting no more than five days.
    • Religious Leaders: International religious leaders who, among other things, conduct services or offer spiritual guidance. Bishops, archbishops, monks, pastoral animators, and missionaries are examples of religious leaders.
    • Short-Term High-Level Professional: Highly skilled individuals with NOC skill types O or A who will only work in Canada for a maximum of 15 straight days once every six months or a maximum of 30 straight days annually.
    • Short-Term Researcher: Researchers who will be employed for 120 days or less continuously at a public degree-granting institution or connected research institution.
    • Student Off-Campus Employment: International students enrolled full-time are permitted to work off campus without a work permit up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time while classes are off.
    Document requirements for work permit

    You must gather all the necessary paperwork for your selected Canadian work visa program in order to work in Canada. As you are already aware, there are numerous sorts of work permits available in Canada, ranging from postgraduate open work permits to employer-specific licenses. Because of this, the documentation you require will change depending on the work permit program for which you are eligible and for which you want to apply. If your spouse or common-law partner and children go with you to Canada, you might need to submit more paperwork.

    The following is a list of the documents you will require to submit your work permit application:

    • a valid passport or travel document;
    • two images, one each of you and the members of your family who will be with you;
    • evidence that you meet the qualifications for the position being offered;
    • proof of finances (applicants for IEC visas);
    • Certificate of police clearance that is no older than six months, and
    • Evidence of all marriages, children, and common-law partners (marriage certificate, birth certificate).

    The following papers are required if your work permit program calls for an LMIA:

    • A copy of your job offer from your potential employer;
    • a copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) supplied to your employer.

    If your program for work permits does not call for an LMIA, you will need the following records:

    • An employment offer made to a foreign national who is exempt from a labor market analysis or 
    • an offer of employment identification number; 
    • and an employment contract copy

    You will require the following paperwork if you are requesting a post-graduation employment permit:

    • an official notice of graduation; 
    • a final transcript; 
    • and a letter from the school.

    You must include your nomination letter from the province that nominated you if you are a provincial nominee.

    You must fill out and sign forms provided by the IRCC, including the Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada and the Family Information form, in addition to gathering the aforementioned documentation for your Canadian work permit.

    You will receive your own convenient profile dashboard with access to all the forms if you decide to apply with us. You can quickly download and finish the forms at your own convenience. As you gather the necessary documents, you can submit them to your profile using the comprehensive document checklist we also give you.

    One of our qualified professionals will review and submit your work permit application to the appropriate agency as soon as you finish creating your profile. Your Canada Immigration Global profile will allow you to monitor the status of your application.

    Obtaining a Work Permit: How to Apply For It?

    Applications for work permits have, to the extent practicable, been moved online due to the global epidemic. This is a measure that will probably continue to be in place in the future. However, unless you are already in Canada, you will need to provide biometrics at a consulate or other recognized organization in your location.

    Depending on where you’ll be working, what you’ll be doing, and where you’re applying from, different forms are needed. There are advantages to submitting your applications online, such as not having to pay courier fees or wait for the mail to arrive, being able to check that your application is perfect before sending it, being able to upload supporting papers fast if necessary, and being able to check your application progress regularly.

    Either a work visa for Canada that is LMIA-required or one that is LMIA-exempt will be up for application. Those applying for work permits with a provincial nomination, employees being transferred within the same organization, and those applying for open work permits including those for spouses, students, and temporary residents are all excluded from the LMIA requirement.

    When you apply for your work permit, the following paperwork will be needed:

    • Family Information form
    • authentic passport (at least 6 months validity remaining)
    • LMIA submitted by the employer or your employment offer from a business that is exempt from LMIA along with documentation of the exemption (neither required for an open work permit)
    • a police clearance certificate attesting to your lack of criminal convictions. It might not be more than six months old.

    You will receive a message letting you know where and when to supply your biometrics after your application has been filed and has reached the point where it is necessary. Be ready to pay a processing charge for your application as well as a biometrics fee. You won’t be needed to produce biometrics again if you visited Canada within the last ten years and did so.

    It’s crucial to submit your application completely; if there are any errors or missing information, it will be returned unprocessed. In some cases, you may additionally be asked to undergo a medical examination, go through an immigration officer interview in your home country, and present other documents.

    You will receive a letter confirming your authorization to work in Canada and outlining the terms of your permit if your application is successful. This letter is not a work authorization. You will receive your work permit from customs officers when you land in Canada. The type of work you can perform, the employer you will be working for, the location of your employment, and the duration of your authorized employment in Canada will all be fully described in this document.

    Temporary Jobs in Demand in Canada

    There are many temporary jobs you can acquire in Canada, whether you wish to gain important international working experience or get a foot in the door to apply for permanent immigration. And you can keep having your work permit renewed as long as you can continue to find continuing, in-demand temporary jobs while you are in Canada.

    But enough about that; let’s look at some of the most well-liked and in-demand temporary jobs you might come across when looking at the job boards, as well as their typical salaries. Once you have some expertise, you can apply for any number of programs that will give you permanent residency in Canada.

    In-Demand Temporary Work in Canada

    Caregiver – $36,000

    General Labourer – $31,900

    Administrative Assistant – 44,990

    Housekeeper – 31,200

    Ranch Hand – $41,600

    Cook – $34,000

    Nail Technician – $29,120

    Ski Instructor – $55,330

    Night Auditor/Front Desk Agent – $21,705

    Massage Therapist – $45,760

    Farm Labourer – $31,200

    Contact Centre Agent – $33,131

    Cashier – $27,800

    Nursery Worker – $28,000

    Sales Associate – $31,200

    Food and Beverage Server – $25,545

    Bartender – $28,297

    Security Guard – $31,204

    Retail Salesperson – $27,300

    Delivery Worker – $42,900

    Material Handlers – $33,150

    FAQS

    Being a foreigner makes it much simpler to obtain lower-paying jobs. That doesn’t mean you won’t still make a respectable salary, perhaps about $30,000.

    You may be qualified for priority processing and receive a Canadian work permit in as little as two weeks if all of your paperwork and application are in order.

    You can apply for work permits online. A legitimate employment offer, a degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution, or proof that your spouse or other family member is employed in Canada and you are dependent is all required.

    Depending on the sort of work visa you have and/or the employment offer you have, but generally 24 months.

    Yes. As long as you complete the financial conditions, you are allowed to bring any dependents with you to Canada, including children, parents, and common-law partners.

    Your Path to Canada Begins Here

    It can take a lot of time and effort to submit an application for a work visa in Canada. It can be simple to make a mistake that could prevent you from getting the chance to come to Canada because of the stringent standards, procedures, and deadlines. But under the direction and support of a skilled Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). The procedure won’t cause any tension.

    Get help from the experts

    Moving your life to a new country is a fair point to be perplexed at some point. New country, new languages, new customs, people, and the daunting Immigration Process.
    Our team holds the most experienced and knowledgeable RCICs from all over the world. So, from finding your eligibility for the immigration process to filing your visa application- we got it all in our hands!