work visa process for canada

Work Permit Overview

Who is eligible to work in Canada?
Types of Canadian work permits
How to obtain a Canadian work permit
If I have a Canadian job offer, am I eligible to apply for a work permit?
What am I allowed to do on a Canadian work permit?
Can my family be included on my work permit application?
How much does a Canadian work permit cost?

Application for a Work Permit

How do I apply for a Canadian work permit?
What documents are required to apply for a Canadian work permit?
Biometrics for Canadian work permits
Police clearances for Canadian work permits
Medical exam for Canadian work permit
Photo requirements for Canadian work permit
How long will it take to process my work permit application?
How long will it take to process my LMIA application?
What is the rate of success for work permit/LMIA applications?
How can I check the status of my work permit application?
Reasons a work permit application is refused
How can I include my spouse and dependents on my work permit application?
How do I activate my work permit?

Having a job in Canada

How to find a job in Canada
Benefits of working in Canada
How can I extend my work permit?
What is my work permit number?
Can I work in Canada without a work permit?
Can I get a Canadian work permit without a job offer?
Do Canadian work permits have an age limit?
Can I apply for Canadian health insurance while on a work permit?

FAQs

What is the difference between a work permit and a work visa?
Do I need IELTS to apply for a Canadian work permit?
How long are Canadian work permits valid?
Do I need my Canadian work permit to enter Canada?
Can my employer sponsor me to work in Canada?

Who is permitted to seek employment in Canada?

With a few notable exceptions, the vast majority of non-Canadian citizens are required to have a work permit in order to be eligible for employment in the country.

In order to submit an application for a work permit, the majority of applicants will need to have a job offer in Canada that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). There are a few exemptions to this rule, which means that foreign workers can submit an application for a work permit even if they do not have an LMIA or a job offer. A recent graduate of a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI) or the spouse of someone who is already in possession of a Canadian work or study permit are two examples of this type of person.

The following eligibility requirements need to be met by applicants for a work permit in order for them to be considered qualified:

Applicants must show that they have the intent to leave Canada once their work authorization has expired,
that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their families in Canada,
and that they do not pose a security risk to Canada either criminally or medically, and that they do not violate any Canadian immigration laws.
intend to seek employment with a sponsoring organization; and
Can produce any and all documents that may be required to demonstrate that they are qualified to enter Canada

Different kinds of work permits available in Canada

The process of acquiring a work permit in Canada can be done in a variety of different ways. Work permits can be broken down into three categories: those that require a job offer from a Canadian employer, those that require the employer to submit a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and those that require the applicant to have some sort of connection to Canada (previous education, spousal sponsorship, etc.). In order to determine the type of work permit that is most appropriate for your credentials, please refer to the categories that are listed below:

Demanding an Analysis of the Effects on the Labor Market (LMIA)

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
Global Talent Stream

Exempt from LMIA but must be accompanied by a job offer or employment contract

International Mobility Program (IMP)
NAFTA Work Permits
CETA Work Permits
Intra-Company Transfers

Open Work Visas (no job offer or LMIA required)

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
International Experience Canada (IEC) (working holiday visa)
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Spouse Accompanying International Student or Worker

A helpful hint for immigrants: Canadian permanent residents do not need a work permit in order to find employment in Canada. The ability to legally reside and maintain employment in any location within the United States is one of the benefits of obtaining permanent resident status. Find out more information about the various permanent immigration options available for skilled workers and professionals.

Instructions on how to get a work permit in Canada

The procedure that must be followed in order to acquire a work permit in Canada is vastly different for each of the different types of work permits that can be obtained. For instance, as part of the authorization for a study permit, a foreign student studying in Canada will frequently be granted the right to obtain a job on a part-time basis without needing to apply for it separately.

The majority of applications for closed work permits require a foreign national to have a formal job offer from a Canadian employer, which must be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even those who are exempt from the LMIA or do not require a work permit should be aware of the specific documentation they need to prepare in order to guarantee that they will be allowed entry to Canada. This documentation is required in order for them to be granted entry. There are two primary ways to acquire a work permit in Canada: one is to obtain a closed (restricted) work permit, and the other is to obtain an open work permit.

When a foreign national is granted a closed work permit, they are required to continue working for the same employer at the same location unless they change their work permit. Since closed work permits are tied to particular employers, this means that they must remain employed by the same employer.

If I have an offer of employment in Canada, am I able to submit an application for a work permit?

Even if you have been offered a job in Canada, it does not necessarily mean that you are qualified to submit an application for a work permit. In order to be considered valid for certain applications for work permits, a job offer needs to fulfill a number of prerequisites. In the majority of cases, in order for an applicant to be eligible for a work permit, the job offer that they have received must either be:

Supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA); or
Exempt from requiring an LMIA.

It is important to note that the province of Quebec has its own process for determining the validity of an offer of employment.

What exactly am I authorized to do with my work permit for Canada?

The particular limitations that are associated with your authorization will be detailed on the work permit that you physically carry with you. The type of work permit to which you are entitled will largely determine the extent to which you are subject to these restrictions. Conditions may include restrictions on the kinds of work you can do, where you can work, who you can work for, and how long you are allowed to remain employed in Canada. It is against the law for anyone holding a work permit to accept employment at a company where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that some workers may be subjected to sexual exploitation.

Those who have been granted a work permit are not considered to be permanent residents of Canada and are required to leave the country at the conclusion of their authorized period of stay. If, on the other hand, you are currently employed in Canada and would like to remain there permanently, fill out our no-cost assessment form to receive a comprehensive analysis of the immigration options available to you.

I need to apply for a work permit; is it possible for me to include my family?

It is possible that you will be granted permission to bring your spouse and any dependent children with you to Canada if you are applying for a work permit that is supported by your employer.

If your children are of school-going age and they are currently residing in Canada, they are exempt from the requirement that they obtain a separate study permit in order to attend educational institutions in Canada. It's possible that your spouse or partner is also qualified to apply for an open work permit, which would enable them to find employment with any company in Canada.

How much does it cost to get a work permit in Canada?

The processing fee for a closed work permit is $155 Canadian Dollars per person, while the processing fee for an open work permit is $255 Canadian Dollars per person. There will be additional costs incurred if you are renewing a work permit or submitting an application on behalf of a group of performing artists.

What do I need to do to get a work permit?

The application process is different for each of the various types of work permits that may be required of you. The first thing you need to do is choose the type of work permit that suits your needs the most. Simply get in touch with us, and a member of our staff will assist you in setting up an appointment for a consultation if you require assistance in figuring out the application.

What kinds of documentation are necessary to submit an application for a work permit in Canada?

The type of work permit for which you wish to apply will determine the specific documents that must be submitted in support of your application for a work permit in Canada. It is possible that applicants will be required to provide the following documents as part of their application for a work permit:

Completed application forms
Proof of status in Canada (if applicable)
Family member’s proof of status (if applicable)
Labour Market Impact Assessment (if applicable)
Written offer of employment (if applicable)
CV/ résumé
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) (if applicable)
Proof that you meet the job requirements
Valid copy of your passport
Copy of education credential
Medical exam results (if requested)
Evidence of financial means to stay in Canada and return to home country
Proof of payment for applicable government fees
Recent passport-sized photos

The use of biometrics for work permits in Canada

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRCC) is currently operating under a temporary measure that exempts applicants who are applying for a work permit from within Canada. Candidates who live outside of Canada must still provide their biometrics after receiving a letter with instructions on how to submit their biometrics.

If you want to give your biometrics, the Canadian government has provided instructions on how to do so on a page that is dedicated to that purpose.

clearances from the Canadian police force for work permits

The visa officer who is evaluating your application might ask you to provide certificates proving that you have no criminal record. It is possible that this document will be included in the application checklist and will be required to be provided along with your initial submission. This will depend on where you are applying from.

Applicants for work permits may be asked to provide a certificate of good conduct from the police of any country in which they have resided for a period of six months or more after turning the age of 18.

Examine medical history in order to obtain a work permit in Canada

It is possible that foreign nationals who apply for jobs in Canada will be required to undergo a medical examination. This requirement is determined by the applicant's anticipated length of stay in the country, previous places of residence, and the nature of the work they intend to perform.

If you plan to work in Canada for less than six months, you probably won't need to get a medical exam, although there are a few exceptions to this rule. In the event that you intend to work in a job that brings you into close contact with other people or are an agricultural worker who has been to particular countries, you will be required to have a medical exam.

In the event that any of the following conditions applies to you, and you intend to work in Canada for a period longer than six months, you will be required to undergo a medical examination:

You have spent at least six months living or traveling in one of the countries listed on the "Find out if you need a medical exam" page of the Canadian government website, or you meet both of these criteria:

You plan to pursue a career in which you will have frequent interaction with the individuals whose profiles can be found at the link provided earlier in this sentence.

Medical examinations have to be carried out in conjunction with a panel physician chosen by IRCC. On the IRCC website's "Find a Panel Physician" page, you will be able to locate a panel physician in your area.

Candidates have the option of participating in a pre-screening medical examination. Before submitting an application for a work permit, this requires first making direct contact with the panel physician and then undergoing the examination. If you do not submit the results of your medical exam along with your application, an officer from the IRCC will send you instructions on how to finish the medical exam and give you a deadline for when it needs to be finished.

The Canadian work permit application must include a photo.

When applying for a work permit in Canada, foreign nationals are required to include a photo of themselves in passport size with their submission. The photograph needs to be formatted in accordance with IRCC's requirements.

When will my application for a work permit be processed and how long will it take?

The amount of time needed to process an application for a work permit varies according to the type of work permit being requested as well as the applicant's country of residence at the time the application is being submitted. There is a wide range of possible processing times, from a few weeks to several months.

When will my application for an LMIA be processed, and how long will it take?

There are two different kinds of applications for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): a regular LMIA and a simplified LMIA. Both of these are available. The LMIA with fewer questions is only offered in the Canadian province of Quebec. The regular LMIA is processed on a case-by-case basis, and the amount of time needed to complete the application varies greatly depending on the applicant. In most cases, a regular LMIA application will not receive a response for at least five months after it has been submitted.

It is possible for an employer to qualify for expedited LMIA processing if they are qualified to participate in Canada's Global Talent Stream. Processing time for the streamlined LMIA application that was submitted for employment in Quebec is typically between two and three months.

What percentage of applications for work permits and LMIAs are ultimately approved?

Due to the individualized nature of the review process for each application, it is impossible to provide an accurate estimate of the percentage of work permit and LMIA requests that are approved. If the requirements of the LMIA can be met by an applicant, then the applicant's application ought to be approved. However, applications are reviewed by individual officers, and each officer exercises their own discretion when deciding whether or not to approve an application for a work permit.

How can I find out the current status of my application for a work permit?

If you have previously applied for a work permit online, you can check the status of your application by logging into your online account. If you submitted a paper-based application to the IRCC, you can check the status of your submission by linking it to an online account with the organization.

The rejection of a request for a work permit due to the following reasons:

The news that your application for a work permit was denied can be devastating. There are a variety of factors that go into deciding whether or not to grant a work permit. If it is unclear why your application was denied, submitting an application for GCMS notes may help you get a better idea of the reason, and it can help you address the officer's concerns if you decide to reapply in the future.

The following is a list of common grounds for refusing a work permit:

The officer did not believe that you would be capable of carrying out the work that was intended for you;
The officer did not feel confident that you would leave Canada and go back to your home country at the conclusion of your authorized stay in Canada.
The requirements for the work permit that you have applied for cannot be fulfilled by you.

How do I make sure that my spouse and any dependents that we have are included on my work permit application?

Your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit in Canada even if you are applying for a closed work permit for yourself in Canada.

If your spouse is qualified, they will be required to submit their own application for a work permit. The majority of the time, they are required to submit their application for this permit online.

What steps do I need to take to make my work permit active?

The manner in which you activate your work permit will be different depending on where you apply for it and how you apply for it.

Putting your work permit into effect after having applied for it from within Canada

If the application you submitted for a work permit from within Canada is successful, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will send you a letter of approval. If you submitted your application online, you will find the acceptance letter in the "Applications" section of your account. If you submitted a paper-based application, the letter will be sent to the mailing address that you provided in the application. Following the delivery of the letter of approval, the physical work permit will be sent to the address you provided. You will receive the permit in the mail already activated, at which point you can put it to use to begin working in Canada.

Putting your work permit into effect after having applied for it from outside of Canada

If your application is successful and you submitted it from outside of Canada, you will receive a letter with instructions on how to obtain your physical work permit at the port of entry in Canada. This letter will be sent to you only if your application was approved (POE). If you submitted your application online, the instruction letter will be available in the "Application History" section of your online account. If you submitted your application via paper, you would be mailed a letter containing further instructions.

After applying for it at the port of entry, activating your work permit will allow you to begin working.

It's possible that certain applicants will be allowed to submit their work permit applications right there at the Canadian border. At the border, in order to apply for a work permit, you are going to need to bring documents that support your eligibility. In the event that the application is accepted, the officer at the border may immediately print the work permit. This work permit is immediately usable after it has been obtained.

How to Search for Employment in Canada

Beginning the process of looking for work in Canada might make you feel anxious and overwhelmed. Those individuals who are looking for an official job offer from a Canadian employer can, thankfully, take advantage of a large number of resources. When starting your search for employment, we strongly suggest that you make use of the Canadim job search resources that are listed below.

Before you start sending out applications, you should make sure to give yourself enough time to polish your social media presence and update your resume.

Canadian Resume Guide
Social Media Presence Guide

A person's ability to provide their National Occupation Classification Code when applying for certain jobs in Canada may be required (NOC Code). This code is utilized for the purpose of classifying all different kinds of employment according to Canadian standards. Canadim has developed a tool that will assist you in locating your NOC Code as well.

The advantages of finding employment in Canada

Working in Canada offers a variety of attractive advantages. The labour laws in Canada ensure that workplaces have a high degree of safety and that all employers adhere to certain laws and regulations to protect their employees' health and safety. This protects the Canadian economy as a whole. In addition, wages in Canada are among the most competitive in the world, and under Canadian law, employers are required to offer foreign nationals wages that are comparable to those of their Canadian colleagues.

Last but not least, certain work permits in Canada allow workers to bring their families with them to Canada, including their spouses and children. Gaining work experience in Canada can significantly improve a person's chances of being accepted into a variety of residency programs in Canada, which is another significant advantage for people who are considering making Canada their permanent home and who are interested in immigrating there permanently.

The following programs place value, to varying degrees, on previous work experience gained in Canada:

Express Entry
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Quebec Immigration Programs
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

What are the procedures for extending my work permit?

The application to extend a work permit for temporary foreign workers who are eligible to do so must typically be submitted online. It is recommended that you apply for an extension of your work permit at least 30 days before the date that your current permit will expire if you plan to extend it. Despite the fact that this is merely a recommendation, according to the technical definition, an applicant has until the very last day of the validity period to submit their request for an extension.

Please get in touch with us so that we can determine whether or not you are qualified to have the duration of your work permit extended.

Where can I find the number of my work permit?

Your work permit number is located in the upper right-hand corner of your permit, and it starts with the letter "U." You can find it there.

If I don't have a work permit, am I able to work in Canada?

There are very few exemptions to the general rule that foreign nationals must obtain a work permit before beginning employment in Canada.

If I don't have a job offer, can I still get a work permit in Canada?

When applying for a work permit in Canada, foreign nationals typically need a written offer of employment from a Canadian employer in order to demonstrate their intention to work there. However, depending on the specifics of the worker's situation, a foreign national may be eligible to apply for an open work permit in Canada even in the absence of a specific job offer. This type of permit entitles the holder to work in any part of the country and for any employer.

Is there a maximum age requirement for Canadian work permits?

To be eligible for a work permit in Canada, individuals from other countries must be at least 18 years old. Except for those applying through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, there is no upper age limit for those seeking a work permit in Canada.

While I am in Canada legally on a work permit, am I able to apply for Canadian health insurance?

Each province and territory in Canada is responsible for the administration of the country's healthcare system and runs their own insurance plan. Work permit holders in some provinces are eligible to apply for health insurance coverage through the provincial government. Before a person can become eligible for health insurance in most provinces, they must first meet the residency requirements for a certain number of days and be physically present.

What are the key differences between a work permit issued by Canada and a visa?

A visa is a travel document that is used to enter the country, while a Canadian work permit is authorization for foreign nationals to work in Canada. A Canadian work permit is different from a visa.

A visa, also known as a temporary resident visa (TRV), is a physical sticker that is placed in your passport that acts as a travel document, allowing foreign nationals to enter Canada or transit through a Canadian airport. A visa can be either a visitor visa or a temporary resident visa.

Even if you have a work permit that is still in effect, if you leave Canada you will not be able to return without a valid visa or electronic travel authorization.

Do I need to take the IELTS in order to apply for a work permit in Canada?

Individuals who wish to apply for a work permit in Canada are not required to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or any other English or French language examination. However, if the job offer specifies that French and/or English language skills are required, and the applicant is from a country that does not speak French or English, the officer may require evidence of the applicant's language abilities, such as a language test, in order to make a hiring decision.

How long does it take to get a work permit in Canada?

With a few notable exceptions, the typical validity period for a work permit in Canada is between one and two years. Generally speaking, a visa officer will not issue a work permit to an applicant for a period of time that is longer than the validity of the applicant's passport or longer than the validity that is indicated on the applicant's Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In addition, a work permit will not be granted for a longer period of time than the foreign national has requested to remain in Canada for, nor will it be granted for a longer period of time than is necessary for the job offer. The duration of a work permit might also be cut down, depending on the program that the applicant is using to submit their application for the permit.

Do I need to bring my work permit to enter Canada if I have one from Canada?

In order to re-enter Canada after traveling outside of the country, you will need both your work permit and a valid passport or other travel document. A work permit will allow you to find employment in Canada, but it will not, on its own, allow you to enter the country. In addition to a current passport, you will require either a temporary resident visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in order to enter Canada. You can apply for either of these documents electronically.

Is it possible for my employer to get a work visa for me in Canada?

Employers in Canada do not "sponsor" candidates to work in the country; however, they can help bring foreign workers to Canada by obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or submitting an electronic job offer (LMIA exempted categories).

If a Canadian employer wants to hire a worker from another country, they are required to either obtain a labor market impact assessment (LMIA) or submit an electronic job offer. It is possible for an employer to apply for a work permit in Canada after they have obtained an LMIA or a "A" number, which stands for an electronic job offer.