Working temporarily in Canada

Most foreign workers require a work permit, to enable them to work in Canada on a temporary basis.

An offer of employment from a Canadian employer is usually required for the worker to be granted a Temporary Work Permit by Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There are several steps to this process. Depending upon the temporary foreign worker's country of citizenship, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) may also needed for the individual to enter Canada.

• Employer applies for Labour Market Impact Assessment, if applicable.
• Employer makes a Temporary Job Offer.
• Foreign Worker applies for the Work Permit.
• Work Permit approval/issuance.

1) Employer applies for Labour Market Impact Assessment, if applicable

Prior to the issuance of Temporary Work Permit, the Canadian employer wishing to hire a temporary foreign worker may require to apply for and be granted a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) by Employment & Social Development Canada (ESDC), who will confirm the LMIA if they are satisfied that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to do the job.

A Work Permit may be issued by Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC), without the requirement of an LMIA in certain situations, as follows:

• Under international agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA);
• Due to the significant economic, social or cultural benefits the work activity will bring to Canadians;
• As part of reciprocal agreements Canada and its provinces/territories have entered into with other countries, such as youth and teacher exchange programs;
• So that international students studying in Canada can fulfill academic requirements, known as co-op placements;
• To enable the spouses/common-law partners of Skilled Work Permit and certain Study Permit holders in Canada to work in Canada;
• Because the nature of the work is charitable or religious;
• In recognition that certain persons in Canada for reasons other than the above-mentioned, such as the making of a refugee claim, need to support themselves.

2) Employer makes a Temporary Job Offer

Once an LMIA is approved, the employer in Canada may provide a job offer to the temporary foreign worker. The employer must also send a copy of the positive LMIA along with the job offer letter to the foreign worker.

3) Foreign Worker applies for the Work Permit

The individual may then apply to IRCC for a Temporary Work Permit.

If the employer is in Canadian is based in the province of Quebec, the foreign worker may also need to obtain a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) in order to work temporarily in Quebec. There are a number of professions in Quebec, where the employers are not required to demonstrate Local recruitment efforts to hire temporary foreign workers for those positions in Quebec.

4) Work Permit Approval / issuance

Once the work permit application is approved, the individual will be notified by IRCC. S/he then prepares for their travel to Canada. The Temporary Work Permit will be issued to the individual at the port of entry (Airport / Border Crossing) by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer when the foreign worker arrives in Canada.

Do you have a job offer from a Canadian employer and need a Work Permit?

In most cases, an individual with a job offer from an employer in Canada must be approved a Temporary Work Permit to perform the job in Canada.

The issuance of a Temporary Work Permit in most cases, requires the employer in Canada to first obtain permission from the Govt. of Canada to hire a foreign worker. Once the employer’s request is approved, the employee must apply for the work permit and be approved. The time period of the work permit issued, may vary from a few months to a few years.

A Work Permit is approved for a specific job & for a specific employer in Canada. The foreign worker will be tied to that job and to that employer as specified on their work permit. Consequently, the foreign worker may only work for that employer and at the specified location. If the individual finds another job while they are temporary residents in Canada. S/he MUST get a positive LMIA from their new employer; apply and receive a new Work Permit prior to start working for their new employer in Canada.

A work permit application requires the submission of several forms and supporting documents. You may feel free to Contact Us, should you require our assistance in perfecting & submitting your work permit application.

Are you an Employer in Canada who needs to obtain Work Permits for foreign workers?

Noaisys Immigration can take care of the entire Work Permit process for the employer in Canada and foreign workers. (note for Alex… link contact us page the highlighted process)

A Temporary Work Permit is for a certain period of time, which may be limited for up to four years. To enable the foreign worker to work in Canada on a permanent basis, they must apply for their Canadian Immigration. A Temporary Work Permit may be a stepping stone to permanent residence in Canada. On getting to Canada, the foreign worker may qualify for permanent Residence in under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Skilled Worker program, or through one of the Provincial Nominee Programs.

Working in Canada: Essential Facts

• For the purposes of Canadian immigration regulations, "work" is defined as an activity for which wages are paid or commission is earned, or that competes directly with activities of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the Canadian labour market.
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, requires a Work Permit to be issued in most cases prior to the foreign working in Canada.
• A “Labour Market Impact Assessment” approved (by ESDC) job offer is usually required from a Canadian employer as a prerequisite to applying and receiving a Work Permit in Canadian.
• The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, in some instances allow for an "Open" Work Permits, which are not employer-specific.
• Work Permits are always temporary in nature, however it may be extended from inside Canada.

Contact Us should you require more information / assistance with your Temporary Work Permit Application.