How do I get a Canadian work permit?
There are numerous ways to get work permits, which can be employer-specific or open.
What is an open work permit?
An open work permit is a work permit that is not job-specific. Because it is not job-specific, you will not need the following when you apply for your work permit:
- a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada, or
- proof that an employer has submitted an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and paid the employer compliance fee
Open work permits may be issued to:
- international students who are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
- the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student
- those eligible for the Working Holiday Program under the International Experience Class
- those who are in Canada and have a permanent residency application pending
- those who have been nominated by a province or territory
- and others
What is an employer-specific work permit?
An employer-specific work permit for Canada can only be obtained if you have an offer of employment from a Canadian employer.
Some Canadian employers seeks to attract temporary skilled workers to fill positions that they are currently having difficulty filling with Canadian permanent residents or citizens. Unless you are eligible under the International Mobility Program (e.g. Intra-Company Transfer, Significant Benefit) then your employer will most likely need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
A Canadian work permit is issued on a temporary basis only and on the condition that you work for the specific employer who is named on your permit. This is further to obtaining confirmation that, by employing the foreign worker, there will not be a negative effect on Canada’s labour market. To satisfy this requirement, the employer must make an application for an LMIA. Once the LMIA has been obtained, an application can be made for a work permit.
Your work permit will confirm the terms and conditions of your stay and work in Canada. These will include your job title, name of your employer, and the length of time that you can work in Canada. Your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit and your children should be able to attend public primary and secondary school.
Which is best for me?
The above is not an exhaustive list of possible work permits. There are also spousal open work permits, bridging open work permits, and post-graduate work permits, to name a few.
Please contact us if you have any questions so that we can assess your situation. Once you have been working in Canada on a valid work permit then your chances of being eligible for permanent residency increase greatly!
About Us
Canadian Visa Specialists is a professional and ethical organisation that was established to provide prompt and professional assistance to people throughout the world who wish to migrate to Canada. We have been helping people come to Canada for twenty years, and we can help you with personal or corporate migration to Canada.
Contact us at info@canadianvisaspecialists.com. Visit our website at www.canadianvisaspecialists.com. You can also follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
