A work permit gives foreign nationals temporary employment authorization in Canada and gives them access to more than 100 different possibilities. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP) are the two main programs into which these possibilities are divided. In this article you get answer of top FAQs about Canada’s Work Permit Process.
The TFWP’s demand for a labor market assessment known as the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It is the main difference between these programs. Within the TFWP, this assessment acts as a vital evaluation stage that sets it apart from the IMP.
Types of Canada’s work permit
Canada offers two primary work permit programs:
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): To get a work permit for this program, you must complete a LMIA. Employers must show that hiring a foreign worker won’t have a detrimental impact on Canada’s workforce, guaranteeing no salary reduction or displacement of local workers. Workers that require an LMIA are covered by TFWP.
International Mobility Program (IMP): For this program, there is no LMIA requirement, making it simpler for foreign nationals to obtain a work permit. Free trade agreements like CUSMA have led to the existence of numerous LMIA-exempt work permits. Working holidays, post-graduate work permits, and open spousal work permits are additional possibilities for work permits. These options are particularly useful for people without a job offer. Workers covered by IMP do not require an LMIA.
Ways to apply for Canada’s work permit
Eligibility check
The requirements for employment in Canada differ depending on your country of origin. A police clearance certificate, a physical examination, demonstrating settlement monies, and demonstrating your ability to leave the country when your permit expires are all standard conditions.
Choose work permit type
Depending on your preferences, such as exploring or settling, choose the appropriate work permit category. Due of their ease, employer-specific permits are frequently used by foreign nationals.
Supporting documents
Gather the necessary supporting documentation, which should include your passport, language test results, police certificates, NOC, education credential assessment report, proof of funds, records of your medical examinations, letters from previous employers about your employment, a Canadian job offer (if applicable), and, if necessary, a provincial nomination.
Application form
Fill out the application form completely and truthfully to avoid processing delays. The visa fee must be paid at the time of submission.
Application submission
Send your application to IRCC physically or electronically. For effectiveness, online filing is advised and is the preferred technique, particularly during the COVID-19 epidemic. Furthermore, depending on where you are from, different paperwork and submitting processes may be required.
Canada’s Work Permit Process – Top FAQs
Foreign people can work temporarily in Canada with a work permit, but it can be difficult to comprehend all the alternatives and processes. Here, we address some frequently asked inquiries regarding the application for Canadian work permits.
What is the cost of the work permit processing fee in Canada?
In Canada, work permits cost the same regardless of your industry or application method. The total comes to $155 CAD per person except for open work permits, which cost $100 CAD each.
Which documents are required for a work permit in Canada?
You need to submit the following paperwork and documents in order to apply for a work permit in Canada:
- Passports or travel documents that are valid.
- A photo and biometric fingerprints are required.
- You must show proof that you meet the requirements for the job you intend to apply for.
- If applicable, a Certificate of Acceptance from Quebec.
- There should be evidence of a relationship with a spouse, child, or common-law partner.
- In the case of an application made outside of Canada (IMM 1295), you will need to complete the Application For Work Permit Made Outside of Canada form.
- The document checklist (IMM 5488) has been completed.
- Form IMM 5645 for Family Information has been completed.
- Fill out Schedule 1 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa. In order to obtain a temporary resident visa for Canada, the principal applicant and their spouse or common-law partner must complete this form along with their children who are older than 18 years old.
- Your employer may also require you to submit required documentation.
Is it possible to seek a Canadian work permit without having a job offer in hand?
An employment offer from a Canadian business is normally required for the majority of applicants, who will also frequently also need an LMIA. The goal of an LMIA is to guarantee that employing a foreign worker will have a favorable or unfavorable effect on the Canadian labor market.
There are exclusions to this rule, though, enabling some foreign workers to apply for a work permit without an LMIA or a job offer. Recent graduates from a Canadian DLI may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that is not contingent upon receiving a job offer. Similar to this, spouses of people who currently have work or study permits in Canada can be qualified for one without needing a job offer.
Who qualifies for a Canada open work permit?
You could be eligible for an open work permit if you fall into one of these categories:
- As an international student, you’re eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) if you’ve completed your studies at a DLI.
- Destitute students cannot afford to pay for their studies, making them destitute.
- A permanent residence application has been submitted on your behalf.
- An individual who has applied for permanent residence has designated you as their dependent family member.
- If you are the spouse or common-law partner of an international student or skilled worker.
- You are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
- You are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person, or a family member of one of these categories.
- You are subject to an unenforceable removal order.
- You hold a temporary resident permit.
- You are a young worker participating in special programs.
Is it possible to bring my family to Canada while I am on a work permit?
Your spouse and dependent children may be allowed to go to Canada with you if you are applying for a work permit and have a legitimate job offer from a Canadian business. Also, your spouse or partner may be eligible for an open work visa. It would allow them to work for almost any Canadian firm. Children who are reliant on temporary foreign employees may occasionally also be eligible for a work permit.
What categories of work permits are available in Canada?
It is important to recognize that there are two types of work permits in Canada: those that are supported by the LMIA and those that are not. According to the LMIA, it is responsible for making sure the LMIA does not negatively impact the employment. As well as pay of Canadian workers by granting work permits to foreigners.
Moreover, the TFWP falls under the category of work permits requiring an LMIA, while the IMP includes work permits that do not necessitate an LMIA.
IMP allows for LMIA-exempt work permits, such as those created under free trade agreements like the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). As well as through these agreements, foreign employees can apply for work permits without an LMIA being obtained by their employers first.
Which work permit option allows for the quickest processing in Canada?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)’s Global Talent Stream provides accelerated work permits to meet certain labor market needs in Canada. Moreover, the average processing period for applicants in this stream is 10 business days, and work permits are often issued within two weeks after the application deadline.
The Global Talent Stream is divided into two categories: Category A is intended for high-growth businesses looking to hire specialized foreign talent, and Category B is for employers looking to hire highly skilled foreign workers for positions that are in high demand on the Global Talent Occupations List but for which the Canadian labor market is insufficient.
What is the processing time for Canadian work permits?
Permits to work in Canada often take one to nine months to process. IRCC receives your completed application, and the processing time begins. It ends when a decision is reached.
The following examples of elements that may affect processing time:
- The specific type of application being submitted.
- The completeness of your application.
- The ease with which IRCC can verify the information provided.
- Your promptness in responding to any requests or concerns raised by IRCC.
Is it possible to transition from a visitor to a worker status in Canada?
If they choose to, visitors visiting Canada can change their status from visitor to worker by requesting a TRV and then a work visa. Furthermore, if the candidate fits the conditions for a work permit. They can do this by filing a work permit application from within Canada after receiving a job offer. An application for a work permit may be made if the prerequisites are satisfied.
Is it possible to obtain permanent residence status while residing in Canada on a work permit?
The chance to apply for Canadian permanent residence (PR) is available to holders of work permits in Canada through particular immigration programs intended for temporary foreign employees. Furthermore, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the most advantageous routes.
When selecting someone for PR, CEC gives their job history in Canada a lot of weight. Moreover, the following requirements must be met by foreign nationals in order to be eligible for PR under the CEC:
- Within the three years before the application, have a minimum of 12 months of full-time, skilled job experience in Canada.
- Meet or exceed the language competence standards outlined by the NOC skill level that corresponds to their degree of work experience.
