Table of Contents
- What Is A Canadian Work Permit?
- What Is The General Eligibility Requirement For A Work Permit In Canada?
- What Is The Fastest Way To Get A Work Permit In Canada?
- How Long Does A Canadian Work Permit Take?
- How Much Does A Canadian Work Visa Cost?
- Is An Interview Required For A Canadian Work Visa?
- How To Apply For Work Permit In Canada
Canada has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. No wonder many people troop into the country yearly. While there also exist lots of job offers and opportunities in Canada. Even interestingly, the Canadian government invites skilled, brilliant, and learned immigrants to the country.
So, Canada announced an ambitious plan to welcome more than 1.3 million immigrants over the next three years to support its post-pandemic growth. Hence, one needs to obtain a work permit in Canada If one must work while there. We’ve carefully shown and explained how you can get a work permit in Canada herein. Learn how.
Furthermore, many have found it difficult trying to secure a work permit in Canada. While others may see it as a tedious process. Nonetheless, this prompted our group of professionals to table out this topic in a perfect chronology in the simplest form.
Answering numerous questions that relate to Canada work permits and how to best get them easily. To learn the most out of this article we recommend you carefully read to the end.
However, out of the many immigration pathways and work permits Canada has different types of work permit options as it relates to the type of Visa. Don’t become confused so early. Ensure to read through.
What Is A Canadian Work Permit?
Are you still in the category of persons asking what a work permit is? Or do you ponder on what you can make out of a Canadian work permit? Then know that a Canadian work permit is an authorization to take a job within Canada if you are from a foreign country. You will often need a work permit to work in Canada. However, in some cases, you may work without a permit or job offer in Canada.
What Is The General Eligibility Requirement For A Work Permit In Canada?
Different conditions and eligibility requirements may apply when looking for a work permit in Canada. This applies to the type and nature of the job and many other factors. But in a nutshell, no matter where you apply, you must:
See Also: How To Immigrate To Canada From Nigeria
Additionally, if you are a Global Skills Strategy applicant you can only benefit from two-week application processing (fast permit processing) if you apply from outside of Canada. Meanwhile, if you are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution you may be eligible for an open work permit and also eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
Even students who can no longer meet the costs of their studies (destitute students) can apply for an open work permit.
What Is The Fastest Way To Get A Work Permit In Canada?
The sure fastest way of obtaining a work permit in Canada is going to take two weeks. You’d apply through the Global Skills Strategy.
Furthermore, there exist 2 ways you can be eligible for 2-week processing of your work permit application. It depends on if you need a labor market impact assessment (LMIA). Or if your job is at the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 (managerial, executive) or skill level A (professional). You’re eligible for 2-week application processing.
How Long Does A Canadian Work Permit Take?
Typically, Canadian work permits are processed on average between 1-9 months. Thus, the processing time begins the day that the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (iRCC) accepts your complete application and ends when they make a decision. However, processing times vary based on several factors like the type of application submitted.
How Much Does A Canadian Work Visa Cost?
The processing fee for a closed work permit is CAD 155 per person. While for an open work permit it is $255 per person.
Is An Interview Required For A Canadian Work Visa?
This all depends on the type of application. When applying for a provisional foreign worker permit, you will be expected to attend an interview with a visa officer.
See Also: How to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit
However, in most cases when you arrive in Canada, you’ll have to go through two screening interviews. While, if all your documents are available and in order, the interview can be swift.
How To Apply For Work Permit In Canada
Carefully follow the guidelines below to apply for the Canadian work permit.
Check if you Meet the Basic Requirement: First of all, you have to make sure you meet the basic requirements before considering applying for a Canadian work permit. Requirements such as health conditions and also visa requirements.
Check which visa or immigration program you qualify for: Next step up is to verify which visa or immigration program is suitable for you. This is because applying for the wrong one may bounce you out and you end up not getting the work permit.
Apply for a work permit: Now apply for your work permit. There are two major types of Canadian work permits. The Open work permit and the employer-specific work permit. Open Work Permit lets you move to the country without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an offer letter from an employer who has paid the compliance fee.
With it, you can work for any company of your choice. While the employer-specific work permit or closed work permit allows you to work for a specific company or organization in Canada that gave you access to the work permit.
Applying Process for the Canadian Work Visa
There are four steps to obtaining a temporary Canadian Work Visa:
- The employer applies for labor market opinion
- Employer extends a temporary job offer to foreign workers
- A foreign skilled worker applies for a work permit
- A work permit is issued
Step 1: Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) formerly LMOs
Ahead of applying for a temporary Canadian Work Visa, in most cases, you need to be eligible for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIAs) formerly called an LMO from Service Canada. Hence, a temporary tourist visa will not provide eligibility to work within Canada
Step 2: Employer Extends Temporary Job Offer
Now, the employer must send a copy of the positive LMIA along with a comprehensive ‘job offer letter’ to the foreign skilled worker.
Canadian companies need to have CIC to prepare a formal employment contract or what is referred to as the ‘Job Offer Letter,’. It must include:
- The job title for the position
- Job description
- Requirements for the temporary position
- Details about start and end dates
- Specifics about the salary
- The name and address of the employer
Meanwhile, the Canada Service Agency will ensure that the job proposal is legit and real. Once the Canadian immigration department has verified the job offer with an LMIA, then the CIC will grant employment permission for the company’s future employees to work in Canada. Once the LMIA is approved, the Canadian employer can prolong a temporary job offer to the foreign skilled worker.
Step 3: Foreign Skilled Worker Applies For a Work Permit
Once you have your LMIA and ‘Job Offer Letter’ obtained, you then can apply for a Canadian Temporary Work Permit. While if the employer that is hiring you is in the region of Quebec, then you may also need to obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ footwork temporarily in Quebec).
Meanwhile, in some cases, when applying for a temporary foreign worker permit, you will be obliged to attend an interview with a visa officer. If the visa officer is pleased that the foreign worker’s employment will not adversely influence employment in Canada for Canadians and that of the foreign worker qualified for the position, then a Canada Work Permit will be issued.
However, in some cases, applicants from certain countries will be mandated to undergo medical examinations.
See Also: How To Get A Job In Canada From Outside
Step 4. Get Issued a Canadian Temporary Work Permit
A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will issue the Canadian Temporary Work Permit at the point of entry when the skilled foreign worker arrives in Canada. Depending on the foreign worker’s country of citizenship, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) may also need to be obtained to enter Canada. There are a few more minor steps and processes to obtaining a work visa