WORK PERMIT
Every year over 150,000 foreign workers enter Canada working temporarily to help Canadian employers address skill shortages in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) ensure that these workers will support economic growth in Canada and create more opportunities for all Canadian job seekers. We help many individuals obtain work permits without difficulty. Our alliance with many Canadian companies allows for fast and assured job offers. Work permits can fulfill a companies demand for workers and provide these workers with an ability to be an essential factor in the Canadian economy and workforce.
Most foreign workers will require a work permit to legally work in Canada. For some categories of workers, permits are approved more quickly. The requirements and processing times depend on the sort of work you will do when you come to Canada.
Permit requirements
There are 2 categories of work permits. A foreign worker may require a labour market assessment or may be exempt from such assessment. Some professions require an assessment in order to demonstrate that the issue of a work permit to a foreign worker will not have negative impact to employment and wages for Canadian worker force.
There are 2 categories of work permits. A foreign worker may require a labour market assessment or may be exempt from such assessment. Some professions require an assessment in order to demonstrate that the issue of a work permit to a foreign worker will not have negative impact to employment and wages for Canadian worker force.
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The labour assessment is referred to as Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) oversees the assessment process. A positive assessment is received when ESDC is satisfied that no Canadian citizen or permanent worker is available for the position. A positive LMIA is then provided which can also be known as a confirmation letter.
Quebec Province has a similar review. A foreign worker wishing to work in Quebec will need to obtain a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ). Applications are submitted directly to Quebec’s Immigration department Quebec’s Ministère de l'Immigration, Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI). Applicants will still need to submit an LMIA to ESDC as well.
Our experience with various business applicants allows for better preparation of your file. There are many opportunities for business applicants, and we can uncover the best strategy that is specialized for your needs.
Who does not need a labour assesment:
International Agreements: he North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), or Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Some performing artists
Students
Athletes & sports officials
Journalists
Emergency service providers
Business visitors
Diplomats, consular officers and other representatives or officials of other countries
important info
Remember, even if you do not need a work permit, you may need to meet other requirements. Please speak to one of our consultants for more information on this.
To work in Canada, you must meet the general requirements for entering the country and for staying here, in addition to those for getting a work permit. This means you may need a temporary resident visa. Please speak to one of our consultants regarding information for a temporary resident visa.
A work permit is not an immigration document. It does not allow you to live in Canada permanently. To live here permanently, you must qualify under an immigration category for permanent residency.
If you want your spouse or common–law partner and your dependent children to come with you to Canada, they must apply to do so. Please speak to one of our consultants for more information regarding this.
If you want to work in Canada, you must understand the following important information:
Your employer helps determine if you are eligible. Your employer may need to get a labour market opinion from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). A labour market opinion confirms that the employer can fill the job with a foreign worker. Please speak to one of our consultants regarding which occupations require a labour market opinion.
Eligibility to apply from outside Canada
To apply for a work permit from outside Canada, you must submit the following documents:
A job offer from a Canadian employer
A completed application, that shows that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, AND
Written confirmation from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job. This confirmation is called a positive labour market opinion.
You must also do the following:
Satisfy a visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your work permit
Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada
Respect the law and have no criminal record (You may have to provide a police clearance certificate)
Show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada.
Be in good health (You may have to have a medical examination)
Some temporary foreign workers can have Citizenship and Immigration Canada start processing their work permit applications before a Canadian visa office has an approved labour market opinion. Please speak to one of our consultants for more information regarding this
Global Immigration Services has a wealth of experience in assisting with work permits, LMIA, and various other temporary foreign work streams. As a foreign worker, our team is here to provide support while guiding you through the process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.