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WORK PERMIT

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Many foreign nationals seeking employment possibilities come to Canada.  The country has a strong and diverse economy, with excellent workplace safety standards, competitive wages, and numerous chances for professional growth and development. Furthermore, working in Canada is an ideal first step for individuals looking to permanently relocate to the land. 

​To work in Canada on a temporary basis, the majority of international workers require a work permit. On Temporary Work Permits, more than 300,000 foreign workers arrive in Canada each year. Canada work visa allows students, professional experts, temporary workers, business people and others to work in Canada for a specific time period. For working professionals, foreign graduates and entrepreneurs, looking for better professional opportunities in one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Canada Work Permit Visa is an ideal choice. The applicant must have a job offer in hand to apply for the work permit visa. It is vital to ensure that a person has the correct authorization in order a work in Canada, as working without it might have serious consequences for future  immigration applications. 

The following programs award value, in varying degrees, for Canadian work experience:

  • 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

Types of Work Permits

There are two main programs through which work permits are issued: 

  • Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) - The TFWP offers work permits for candidates whose employers obtain a positive Labor Market Impact  Assessment (LMIA). 

  • International Mobility Program (IMP) - IMP work permits do not require a positive LMIA. They do require the employer to submit an employment offer under their employer portal.

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There are two types of working permits in Canada available to foreign workers: open and employer-specific. 

  • Employer-Specific Work Permit: This type of work permit includes conditions such as:

    • Name of a specific employer,

    • How long a candidate can work,

    • The location of a candidate’s work.

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Candidates applying for an employer-specific work permit must have from their employer a positive LMIA or an offer of employment before applying.

  • Open Work Permit: This type of  work permit is not job-specific. It allows you to work for any employer in Canada, but they are issued only in specific circumstances.

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   You may be eligible for an open work permit if you:

  • are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP)

  • are a student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of your studies (destitute student)

  • have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada

  • applied for permanent residence in Canada

  • are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence

  • are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student

  • are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

  • are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member

  • are under an unenforceable removal order

  • are a temporary resident permit holder

  • are a young worker participating in special programs

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* Work Permit Exemptions: Certain occupations are exempt from the work permit requirement. For example: Business Visitor, Foreign Representatives and Their Family  Members, Military Personnel, Foreign Government Officers, On-Campus Work, Performing Artists, Athletes and Team Members, News Reporters and Media Crews, Public Speakers, Convention Organizers, Clergy, Judges, Referees and Similar Officials, Examiners and Evaluators, Expert Witnesses or Investigators, Health Care Students, Civil Aviation Inspectors, Aviation Accident or Incident Inspectors, Crew, Emergency Service Providers, Implied Status, Off-Campus Work, Farm Work.

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Eligibility

As an applicant, one must show all the proof of the eligibility to take up the job offer. There are certain documents that must be submitted along with the visa application to obtain Canada work visa. Following documents need to be submitted:

  • A passport with a validity of more than 6 months

  • Educational qualification Certificates

  • Recent passport-sized photographs

  • Documents for professional qualifications (work experience)

  • Medical examination 

  • Proof of having financial resources to stay in Canada

  • Application fee

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Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA)

It is a document issued by ESDC assessing the impact hiring a foreign worker will have on the Canadian labour market. A positive LMIA indicates that there is no Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill a position, therefore enabling an employer to hire a foreign national.

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An LMIA application must be made by an employer. Once the LMIA is obtained, it must be sent to the candidate to accompany the work permit application. The decision on whether or not to issue a positive LMIA is made by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and then issued to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC then informs the employer of the final LMIA decision.

 

In making an LMIA decision, ESDC considers several factors including:

  • The impact of hiring the foreign worker will have on the Canadian labour market.

  • The wages and working conditions being offered to the foreign worker.

  • The availability of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to do the job in question.

  • Whether a transfer of useful knowledge and skills would result from hiring the foreign worker.

  • Whether hiring the foreign worker will help create jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

 

LMIA Validity and Duration of Employment

A temporary foreign worker has six months after receiving a positive LMIA to apply for a work permit. There will be no extensions granted. If the six-month time has passed and the foreign worker has not applied for a work visa, a fresh LMIA application must be submitted.

For the application, the employer will need to provide relevant information, including:

  • the position for which they are willing to hire a foreign worker

  • how many Canadians sent their applications for the position

  • how many Canadians were interviewed

  • a detailed explanation for why the Canadian workers were not considered and hired

A positive LMIA indicates that the job requires the skills of a foreign worker. Besides, it signals that Canadian workers or permanent residents are not available to do the job. If the employer receives a positive LMIA, it is also known as a confirmation letter.

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PGWP

PGWPs (post-graduate work permits) are open work permits granted to international students who have completed a programme of study in Canada. This work permit permits the holder to work for any employer in Canada. Postgraduate work permits have a validity term of eight months to three years.

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Important points

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  • You can receive a PGWP for the duration of your program of study only if more than 50% of your program of study is conducted through in-person classes.

  • In the case of part-time study or accelerated studies, the validity of the PGWP will be the duration of your program of study if taken full-time.

  • You are not eligible for a post-graduate work permit that lasts longer than your duration of study in Canada.

  • A foreign national must be above 18 years of age to apply for a post-graduate work permit. He/she must have completed at least 8 months of a full-time study program in Canada. Moreover, the applicant must apply within 180 days of completing the study program.

  • At the time of the application, a student must have a valid status to apply from within Canada. If the study permit is about to expire or has expired, they must apply for status as a visitor prior to applying for PGWP.

  • If you already have PGWP, you are not eligible to apply for the same.

  • If you took part in the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchanges Program, you are not eligible.

  • If you took part in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program, you are not eligible.

  • If your study program was from a non-Canadian institution situated in Canada, you are not eligible.

  • We suggests that you apply for a PGWP before your study permit expires. This way, you are eligible to start working immediately, even as your application is processing. The application for a post-graduate work permit can be submitted from overseas as well.

BridgeOpen Work Permit

Bridging Open Work Permit is a one-of-a- kind program that allows foreign nationals to extend their work permits while waiting for a decision on their application for Permanent Residency. Once approved, it results in an open work permit, enabling the holder to work for multiple employers in their selected location.

Eligibility: 

Procedure

  • The employer submits the LMIA application to ESDC and the work permit application to IRCC at the same time.

  • If the officer doubts about the job offer, the LMIA/WP application can be refused, or the employer can be contacted to provide clarification before issuing decision.

  • ESDC issues the LMIA to the employer and IRCC issues an employer specific work permit to the TFW.

How we can help?

The application procedure is different depending on which type of work permit you need.

  • The first step is determining which work permit is best for you. If you need help figuring out the application, simply contact us, we will assist you in: 

  • Complete visa application support

  • Collection of supporting documentation

  • Visa Interview Preparation

  • Updates & Follow-up with the Consulate

  • Job search assistance if required 

 

Peak Ventures Immigration can expertly manage your case, whether you're hoping for a closed or open work permit, or an employer looking for a favourable LMIA from ESDC. 

We not only assist you in completing and submitting your application but also providing advice on the best solutions for your specific situation.

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