Programs issuing the majority of work permits include the (TFWP)Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the IMP. These have been the two chief work permit pathways for newcomers.
To begin with, immigration is what drives Canada’s labor market growth, and it is the key factor that fulfills the country’s economic needs and socialized welfare systems.
Overall, the relationship between Canada’s economy and immigration is not one-dimensional. This is because it is not only that immigration helps Canada, but immigrants who arrive here also benefit from the ample opportunities prevailing here.
They get to work here, earn higher pay scales, and even build their eligibility for Canadian permanent residence during their stay.
Hence, it is evident that immigrants in Canada will eventually need work experience and a work permit to transit from temporary residence status to Canadian PR. So, here are the details of the transition from a Temporary Foreign Worker to a permanent resident.
Statistics Canada’s two studies provide critical insights between 2010 and 2020. These studies include the composition of work permits and comparing work permit owners with job records.
Programs issuing the majority of work permits
Canada essentially comprises two significant work permit pathways: the TFWP and the International Mobility Program. These two chief pathways consist of a variety of streams referring to distinct situations.
Essentially, it is possible to differentiate between the two as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program works to address the labor market shortages prevalent in Canada. It will be difficult to fulfill these shortages at the domestic level.
TFWP requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to issue work permits. LMIA will determine the possibility of a foreign national’s hiring based on their ability to positively or neutrally impact Canada. These LMIA-based work permits restrict the foreign national to a single employer and only one industry.
Conversely, the International Mobility Program is present to materialize Canada’s social, economic, and cultural requirements. IMP is not restricted to an LMIA requirement and isn’t Open Work Permits, as holders will be able to work for more than just one employer and in multiple industries.
Which programs issued the majority of the work permits within the last ten years?
According to the 2010 data, work permits under the TFWP contributed nearly 174,876 out of the overall 531,700 work permits. This is almost 32.9 percent. During the same timeframe, the work permits under IMP amounted to 225,440, nearly 42.4 percent. If we compare the data of 2021, IMP work permits that were issued account for 963,400, whereas TFWP work permits accounted for 14,573, nearly 15.1 percent. On the other hand, IMP work permits were around 526,016, almost 54.6 percent during the same timeframe.
Gradually, IMP has become more prominent, while the TFWP has witnessed a steady reduction in the percentage of work permits issued. The rise of IMP grew considerably, with nearly four times the number of work permits issued within the previous ten years.
This growth occurred due to two chief immigration streams within the IMP with massive increases. These include post-graduation employment and work permits for study goals.
Essentially, the overall number of work permits is almost twice that during the ten-year timeframe. This represents the rise of immigration to meet the labor market gap.
At the same time, TFWP’s prominence has significantly declined. This excludes the agricultural programs with a modest rise in the last ten years. The critical suggestions dictate that Canada can presently meet most of the labor market requirements. The country can proceed with this through the workers already residing in Canada. However, this is except for the particular vital industries facing persistent job positions available.
On the basis of these critical findings, the work permit applicants might find work success through the following:
- Work authorization through the IMP;
- Post-Graduation Employment;
- Work Permit for educational goals
These work authorizations are associated with the study program during and after graduation. Also, these authorizations have witnessed a prominent growth in numbers within the previous ten years.
However, this pathway to the work permit can prove advantageous as it is often related to immigrants and the labor market’s success. This comes through the opportunity to enhance English or French language proficiency, achieve connections, and obtain a Canadian educational credential.
Prospects of foreign workers getting work opportunities in Canada
Most work permit holders in Canada, after receiving their work permits, take a step ahead to apply for a Canadian PR. A majority of economic pathways demand at least one year of considerable work experience in Canada if they’d like to apply for PR. Hence, work experience becomes a crucial aspect for such people.
If we seek to know the number of work permit holders who find work in Canada, it is best to compare the numbers in a specific year to those with a favorable salary in that year.
However, it is vital to know that this differentiation will not acknowledge self-employed figures due to its inability to develop the eligibility for a PR.
In 2020, 682,500 work permit holders reported a positive salary via labor market participation. This figure is out of the 991,500 work permit holders. This indicates that 98 percent of work permit holders with a job.
Although this figure might seem less, one must not ignore the fact that specific factors would have impacted these percentages. These factors could be permit holders not staying in Canada or those not currently seeking work in Canada.
Considering the participation figure with those holding a study permit and having a positive salary in 2020, the rate will climb to 83 percent.
However, PR eligibility simply doesn’t consider the work performed as an international student in Canada.
In comparison, the work participation rate was lower in 2011, with only 311,100 work permit holders. Only 55 percent of work permit holders were considered to have a positive income in the same year.
Which programs provided the majority of work in Canada?
The data prevalent goes a step ahead with a bifurcation of foreign workers in Canada with a salary based on age, work permit duration, and work permit program.
Agriculture programs proved to possess the highest positive income rate, with 92 percent. This was the highest rate within all TFWP streams and IMP participation as well. Moreover, these findings prove worthy because TFWP work permits already had an employment offer as they are LMIA-based. Also, employers need to get an LMIA for TWFP work permits.
Regarding the IMP work permit streams, 76 percent of post-graduation employment was the highest rate. This was only following the TFWP agricultural streams.
These streams came after 66 percent of Intra-Company Transferees and nearly 62 percent of work permit holders under International Experience Canada.
The highest labor market participation rate occurred between the age group of 25 to 34 years. This indicates that 68 percent of work permit holders show a positive wage. Another close participation rate of 67 percent occurred between the age group from 35 to 44 years.
Lastly, the work permit duration represents work permit holders with a validity of ten to twelve months, having a participation rate of 74 percent with positive wages. This is after the 67 percent participation rate with a work permit validity of seven to nine months. There was a regular positive connection between work permit lengths and participation rates.
Which is the best route?
Considering all of the above factors, IMP has increased its significance for providing work permits. This is especially true with respect to work permits and authorizations related to study programs.
Besides, this specific group highlights the highest percentage of participation rate in the average labor market. This is apart from the TFWP’s agricultural streams. This leads us to question effectively whether seeking Canada’s study options is an excellent option to get a work permit and perform excellently in the labor market. Also, whether it will lead to PR eligibility.
The above data by Statistics Canada only leads us to choose the best work permit path. However, determining the best route will remain subjective to each applicant. This is because of their individual attributes and circumstances.
This is particularly true when we add the tuition fees to the equation.
Moreover, this study also underwent certain limitations. These include a slow and orthodox approach to calculating work permit holders not representing the actual number of Canada’s work permit holders.
Other limitations are as follows:
- An absence of differentiation between work permit holders looking for work.
- The lack of capacity to incorporate self-employed people while assessing immigration. This leads to a decline in labor market participation within the study group.
If you wish to know about the Canadian work permit process, connect with our immigration experts at MakeHomeCanada. Our considerable experience in the immigration field can help you. You may write to us [email protected]
