Work in Canada: Get A Canadian Work Permit & How to Process Your Visa

By Michael V. Bolgent

Administrator

Posted: May 22, 2022 at 9:53 AM, Updated: May 22, 2022 at 9:53 AM

Work in Canada

Apply for citizenship, a permanent residence card, or refugee protection, check the status of your application, or obtain a form to travel, study, work, or come to Canada.

Canada Work Visa-How to Obtain a Canada Work Visa

A work permit is a legal document that allows a foreign individual to work in Canada while in the country. Canada provides over half a million work licenses to temporary foreign workers around the world each year.

Many foreign nationals seeking employment possibilities flock to Canada. Working in Canada is also a great first step for individuals looking to settle permanently in the nation.

Changes to the way a person must apply for a Canada Work Visa have just been implemented. However, in almost every circumstance, a job offer is still required. Furthermore, most work visas in Canada require labor market verification, often known as a Labor Market Opinion (LMO). Employers who want to hire a foreign worker can apply for a work visa in Canada after receiving a positive LMO.

There are some types of work visas in Canada that do not require an LMO. These categories are usually based on reciprocal treaties, senior staff transfers, or those who have been preliminarily selected for permanent residence in Canada but have yet to get their visa.

It is critical that a foreign national applying for a work visa in Canada has the qualifications to execute the job in Canada. If the job is in a regulated occupation in Canada, the foreign worker must be certified to practice that profession in Canada before applying for a work visa.

Where Can I Get a Work Visa in Canada?

Who can legally work in Canada?

With a few exceptions, most foreign nationals require a permit to work in Canada.

Most candidates will need a Canadian employment offer accompanied by a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to apply for a work permit (LMIA). There are some exceptions to this rule, including the ability of foreign workers to apply for a work visa without an LMIA or a job offer. A recent graduate of a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI) or the spouse of someone already on a Canadian work or study permit are examples of this.

Candidates must also meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for a work permit:

Show their intention to quit when their work permit expires; and
Demonstrate that they have enough money to maintain themselves and their families in Canada and return home; and
Are not inadmissible to Canada due to criminal or medical reasons; and
Make plans to work for a qualified employer; and
Can produce whatever documents necessary to demonstrate their ability to enter Canada.

Types of work permits in Canada

There are numerous possibilities for obtaining a work permit in Canada. Some work permits need an employment offer from a Canadian employer, others require the employer to present a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and still, others require a connection to Canada (previous education, spousal sponsorship, etc.). Please look through the categories below to find the work permit that 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)
NAFTA Work Permits
CETA Work Permits
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

Permanent residents of Canada do not require a work permit to work in the country. A person with permanent resident status has the legal right to live and work anywhere in the United States. Learn more about professional and skilled worker permanent immigration alternatives.

How to Get a Work Permit in Canada

The procedure for acquiring a Canadian work permit differs significantly based on the type of work permit sought. For example, as part of their study visa authorization, a foreign student studying in Canada is sometimes granted permission to work part-time.

The majority of closed work permit applications require a foreign national to have an official job offer from a Canadian business that is backed up by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even individuals who are exempt from the LMIA or do not require a work visa should be aware of the special papers they must produce in order to be admitted to Canada. A closed (limited) work permit and an open work permit are the two types of work permits available in Canada.

Closed work permits are tied to certain employers, which implies that until the foreign national changes their work permit, they must continue to work for the same employer at the same place.

Is it possible to apply for a work permit if I have a job offer in Canada?

Even if you have a job offer in Canada, you may not be qualified to apply for a work permit. To be deemed acceptable for some work permit applications, an employment offer must meet certain criteria. In most situations, an employment offer must be one of the following to be qualified for a work permit:

A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required; alternatively,
an LMIA is not required.

It’s worth noting that the province of Quebec has its own procedure for assessing the legitimacy of a job offer.

What can I do with a work permit in Canada?

The particular limits related to your authorization are outlined in your physical work permit. The sort of work visa you are eligible for will largely decide these restrictions. The type of work you can do, where and for whom you can work, and how long you can work in Canada are all factors to consider. All work permit holders are forbidden from working in any establishment where there is a reasonable suspicion of sexual exploitation of some employees.

Work permit holders are not permanent residents of Canada and must depart by the end of their period of authorization. If you are working in Canada and want to stay permanently, fill out our free assessment form to get a detailed assessment of your immigration options.

Is it possible to include my family in my work visa application?

If you apply for an employer-sponsored work permit, your spouse and dependent children may be allowed to accompany you to Canada.

If your children are school-aged and in Canada, they do not need to get a separate study permit to attend Canadian educational institutions. Your spouse or partner might be qualified for an open work permit, which would allow them to work for any employer in Canada.

How much does a work permit in Canada cost?

A closed work permit costs $155 CAD per person, while an open work permit costs $255 CAD per person. Additional fees will apply if you are reinstating a work permit or applying as a group of performing artists.

What is the procedure for obtaining a work permit?

Depending on the type of work permit you require, the application process differs. The first step is to figure out which work permit suits you best. If you need assistance with the application, please contact us and a member of our team will set up a session for you.

What documents are needed to apply for a work permit in Canada?

The paperwork needed for a Canadian work permit varies depending on the sort of work permit you’re seeking. As part of their work visa application, applicants may be required to submit the following documents:

Completed application forms
Proof of status in Canada (if applicable)
Family member’s proof of status (if applicable)
Labour Market Impact Assessment (if applicable)
A written offer of employment (if applicable)
V/ résumé
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) (if applicable)
Proof that you meet the job requirements
A 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 work permits in Canada

Applicants applying for a work permit from within Canada are now exempt from IRCC’s temporary measure. After obtaining a biometrics instruction letter, candidates outside of Canada are still needed to furnish biometrics.

Follow the procedures on the Canadian government’s dedicated page for providing your biometrics.

Canadian employment licenses require a police clearance

You may be asked to present police clearance certificates by the visa officer who is assessing your application. This paper may be part of your application checklist and must be included with your first submission, depending on where you are applying from.

Applicants for work permits may be asked to show a police clearance certificate from any nation where they have lived for 6 months or more since turning 18.

Medical examination for a work permit in Canada

Depending on their expected length of stay, where they have lived, and what occupation they will work in, foreign nationals who apply to work in Canada may be required to do a medical exam.

With few exclusions, if you want to work in Canada for less than 6 months, you will most likely not need a medical check. A medical exam is required if you plan to work in a position that requires close contact with people or if you are an agricultural worker who has been to specified countries.

If one of the following circumstances applies and you plan to work in Canada for more than 6 months, you will be required to complete a medical exam:

You have lived in or traveled to one of the countries listed on Canada’s ‘Find out if you need a medical checkup’ website for at least six months, or
you plan to work in an occupation that will put you in close contact with people listed in the above-mentioned links.

Medical exams must be done with an IRCC-approved panel physician. On the IRCC’s Find a Panel Physician webpage, you can look for a panel physician near you.

Applicants might choose to take a medical exam in advance. This entails contacting the panel physician personally and taking the exam before filing an application for a work permit. If you do not submit your medical exam findings with your application, an IRCC officer will contact you with advice on how to finish the exam and a deadline for completion.

Canadian work permit photo requirements

A passport-sized photograph is required for foreign nationals seeking a work permit in Canada. The photo must adhere to the IRCC’s guidelines.

How long would it take for my work permit application to be processed?
The length of time it takes to process a work permit application is determined by the type of work permit requested and the applicant’s current country of residency. The processing duration varies from a few weeks to several months.

How long will it take for my LMIA application to be processed?

A normal LMIA and a simplified LMIA are the two types of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications. Only Quebec residents have access to the streamlined LMIA. The ordinary LMIA is handled on an individual basis, with processing durations varying dramatically from one applicant to the next. A standard LMIA application usually takes at least five months to receive a response.

If an employer qualifies for Canada’s Global Talent Stream, they may be able to get their LMIA processed faster. In most cases, the streamlined LMIA completed for Quebec employment is processed in two to three months.

What is the success rate of work permit and LMIA applications?

It is impossible to give a success rate for work permit/LMIA applications because each application is handled individually. If a candidate fits the LMIA’s qualifications, their application should be approved. Individual officers, on the other hand, evaluate applications and use their discretion in deciding whether or not to grant a work permit application.

What is the procedure for checking the status of my work permit application?

You can check the status of an online work permit application through your online account. You can check the status of a paper-based application by linking it to an online IRCC account.

Reasons for denial of a work permit application

The rejection of a work permit can be devastating. A work permit might be denied for a variety of reasons. If you’re not sure why your application was denied, requesting GCMS notes will help you figure it out and address the officer’s concerns if you decide to resubmit. The following are some of the most prevalent reasons for a work permit refusal:

The officer was not sure that you could do the job you were hired for.
The officer was skeptical that you would return to your home country at the end of your permitted stay in Canada.
You do not meet the requirements for the work permit for which you applied.
How can my spouse and dependents be included in my work visa application?
Your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit if you apply for a closed Canadian work permit.

Your spouse will need to apply for their own work permit if they are eligible. They must, in most situations, apply for this permit online.

How can I get my work permit activated?

The manner in which you activate your work permit is determined by where you apply and how you apply.

After applying from within Canada, you must activate your work permit.

You will receive an approval letter from IRCC if your application for a work permit from within Canada is accepted. If you applied online, your approval letter will be available in your account. The letter would come to your mailing address if you filed a paper-based application. Your physical work permit will be mailed to you once you have received your approval letter. The permission will be activated when it arrives, allowing you to work in Canada.

After applying from outside of Canada, you must activate your work visa.

If your application is granted while you are outside of Canada, you will receive a letter with details on how to obtain your physical work permit at a Canadian port of entry (POE). The instruction letter will be available in your online account if you applied online. You would receive the letter to your mailing address if you applied on paper.

After applying at the port of entry, you must activate your work permit.

At the point of entry into Canada, certain individuals may be eligible to apply for a work permit. You must bring documentation that proves your eligibility while applying for a work visa at the border. If the application is granted, the officer may print the work permit at the border immediately away. This work permit is immediately usable.

How to Look for Work in Canada

It can be intimidating to start looking for work in Canada. There are numerous tools available to anyone seeking an official job offer from a Canadian firm. When starting your job search, we recommend using Canadim’s job search resources, which are provided below. Before sending out any applications, make sure you create your résumé and tailor your social media presence!

Resume Guide for Canadians
Guide to Social Media Presence

A person’s National Occupation Classification Code may be required for some jobs in Canada (NOC Code). By Canadian standards, this code is used to classify all sorts of employment.

Working in Canada has some advantages.

Working in Canada has numerous advantages. Canadian labor laws ensure that workplaces are safe and that all businesses obey specific laws and regulations to protect their employees’ health and safety. Furthermore, Canadian salaries are competitive, and foreign nationals must be paid at least as much as their Canadian counterparts.

Finally, some Canadian work visas allow workers’ spouses and children to join them in Canada. Another key benefit for foreign nationals interested in permanently settling in Canada is that obtaining Canadian work experience may boost their eligibility for a variety of Canadian permanent residency schemes. The following initiatives recognize Canadian work experience in various ways:

Express Entry
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Quebec Immigration Programs
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

How can I get my work permit extended?

Temporary foreign workers who want to extend their work permits must usually apply online. If you intend to extend your work permit, you should do it at least 30 days before your existing permit expires. While this is a suggestion, an applicant has until the last day of the expiration period to request an extension.

Please contact us to find out if you are qualified to extend your work permit.

What is the number on my work permit?

Your work permit number begins with the letter “U” and is located in the top righthand corner of your permit.

Is it possible for me to work in Canada without a work permit?

With rare exceptions, foreign nationals must get a work permit in order to work in Canada.

Can I receive a work permit in Canada without a job offer?

In order to apply for a work visa in Canada, foreign individuals must have a formal job offer from a Canadian business. However, in certain instances, foreign workers can apply for an open work permit without a job offer, allowing them to work for any business in Canada.

Is there an age limit on Canadian work permits?

To get a Canadian work permit, foreign workers must be at least 18 years old. Unless enrolling through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, there is no limit age for work permit applicants.

Can I get health insurance in Canada while on a work permit?

Each province and territory in Canada administers its own healthcare system and insurance plan. Work permit holders in several jurisdictions can apply for provincial health insurance. Before being eligible for health insurance, most provinces require people to be physically present for a specific number of days.

What is the difference between a work permit and a visa in Canada?

A work permit allows foreign nationals to work in Canada, whereas a visa is a travel document that allows them to enter.

A visa, sometimes known as a temporary resident visa (TRV), is a travel document that allows foreign citizens to enter Canada or transit through a Canadian airport.

Even if you have a valid work permit, you cannot return to Canada without a valid visa or eTA.

Do I need IELTS to apply for a work permit in Canada?

Individuals applying for a work permit in Canada are not required to take the IELTS or any other English or French language exam. If the employment offer particularly needs French and/or English skills, and the applicant is from a non-French or English-speaking nation, the officer may ask for proof of linguistic ability, such as a language exam.

How long are work permits valid in Canada?

With rare exceptions, Canadian work licenses are normally valid for 1-2 years. In most cases, a visa officer will not issue a work permit for a period longer than the validity of the applicant’s passport or the period indicated on the applicant’s Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). A work permit will not be awarded for any longer than the foreign national has applied to stay in Canada, or for any longer than the job offer requires. Depending on the program for which the candidate is seeking, the period of a work visa may be reduced.

Is my Canadian work permit required to enter Canada?

You will require your work permit as well as a valid travel document to re-enter Canada if you travel outside of the country. Although a work visa permits you to work in Canada, it does not allow you to visit there. In addition to a valid passport, you will require a temporary resident visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

Is it possible for my company to sponsor me to work in Canada?

Employers in Canada do not “sponsor” people to work in the country, but they can help by obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or making an electronic employment offer (LMIA exempted categories).

Any Canadian firm wishing to engage a foreign worker must first get an LMIA or submit an electronic job offer. An LMIA or “A” number (electronic job offer) can be used by an employer to apply for a Canadian work permit.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a breaking news tip, celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the theGazetteNGR entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 08051600130 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.