Work Permits for Canada
There are various ways to qualify for residency in Canada. Visas and permits are allocated according to how well an applicant can satisfy the point system the immigration department uses to determine an individual's acceptability.
To work in Canada, expats will need a temporary work permit. In order to qualify for this permit your employer will need to apply for a labour market opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) confirming that the employer is eligible to fill the job with a foreign worker. This generally means that the employer must show that they have advertised the position throughout Canada for a period of 90 days. However there is a list of 33 occupations that qualify for expedited labour market opinion, which only takes five days.
A work permit is only a temporary immigration document and does not give expats residency status in and of itself. Under a work permit, you are not allowed to live in Canada permanently. If expats wish to immigrate to Canada permanently they need to qualify for immigration under one of the categories, such as ‘family class’ or ‘skilled worker class,’ outlined by the Canadian Immigration Authorities.
Expat families will need to go through the same process to apply for each family member’s visa. The visa and work permit process is often made more complicated on a provincial level as some provinces, such as Quebec, require applications on a federal and provincial level.
A quick step-by-step guide to the Canadian work permit application process involves five steps:
Children of school-going age do not require a study permit in order to attend primary or secondary school, however university students will have to apply for a study visa.
To work in Canada, expats will need a temporary work permit. In order to qualify for this permit your employer will need to apply for a labour market opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) confirming that the employer is eligible to fill the job with a foreign worker. This generally means that the employer must show that they have advertised the position throughout Canada for a period of 90 days. However there is a list of 33 occupations that qualify for expedited labour market opinion, which only takes five days.A work permit is only a temporary immigration document and does not give expats residency status in and of itself. Under a work permit, you are not allowed to live in Canada permanently. If expats wish to immigrate to Canada permanently they need to qualify for immigration under one of the categories, such as ‘family class’ or ‘skilled worker class,’ outlined by the Canadian Immigration Authorities.
Expat families will need to go through the same process to apply for each family member’s visa. The visa and work permit process is often made more complicated on a provincial level as some provinces, such as Quebec, require applications on a federal and provincial level.
A quick step-by-step guide to the Canadian work permit application process involves five steps:
- First, expats may need to apply for a criminal clearance certificate and medical examination, however these are not always mandatory.
- Second, an offer of employment with a Canadian business or employer needs to be secured.
- The employer will then need to apply to the HRSDC to get Labour Market Opinion (LMO) approval.
- While an LMO is being processed, expats can complete and submit a work permit application form; they will also be asked to prove that they can financially support themselves while in Canada. Some visa officials will also ask for further proof that you will leave Canada at the end of the work permit term.
- Finally, family members wishing to engage in work while in Canada will need to go through a similar process.
Children of school-going age do not require a study permit in order to attend primary or secondary school, however university students will have to apply for a study visa.
