The ultimate checklist for Canada’s Work Permit Process can make it easier for you to work in Canada. A Canadian work permit enables a foreign national to start working in Canada legally. Most foreign nationals tend to choose Canada as their destination if they seek employment opportunities.
The reason Canada has become a prominent destination for work possibilities is its ability to offer a higher standard of living. Other reasons include higher pay scale, work culture, environment, and defined work schedule. Besides this, Canada’s culture makes it possible for outsiders to feel accepted and even lets them have a work-life balance.
As a newcomer, you could even access the numerous benefits of working here.
Now, there are a variety of factors that determine a candidate’s eligibility for their type of work permit in Canada:
- Your employment type.
- The Canadian employer under whom you work.
- The work location.
- The duration for which you work.
- The number of working hours.
The ultimate checklist for Canada’s work permit process – answering the top questions
Even if you acquired your education in Canada but won’t be studying more, you can still choose to work here. Canada emphasizes the hiring of skilled workers time and again. Hence, you could be the next person to land a job in Canada. However, you must be well aware of the work permit process and all relevant details. We have the answers to the most asked questions about Canadian work permits.
What are the main work permit types in Canada?
The Canadian government consists of two work permit classifications. These are as follows:
- Closed work permits with an LMIA requirement.
- Open work permits without an LMIA requirement.
The LMIA requirement is essential to demonstrate that hiring a foreign national and offering them a work permit won’t negatively affect Canadians. Further, their employment and wages must not be under threat due to a foreign national’s hiring.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program – This work permit program has an LMIA requirement, whereas the International Mobility Program has no LMIA requirement.
IMP offers work permits that are exempt from LMIA, and these are related to free trade agreements. For example, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. This agreement type enables foreign workers to proceed with work permit applications. Also, it doesn’t require the employer to provide an LMIA.
Which Canadian work permit is the fastest?
The application processing time of Global Talent Stream is ten business days for specific skilled workers. They have the chance to obtain a work permit in Canada within two weeks of applying. GTS further has two categories: Category A and Category B.
Category A implies those high-end firms that can display a requirement to hire exceptional talent from overseas. Category B is for the recruiters or employers in Canada who seek to employ foreign nationals to fill jobs for the in-demand occupations per the Global Talent Occupations List.
These jobs are highly in demand, and Canada suffers a labor shortage for these positions.
What types of documents are essential to get a work permit in Canada?
For the work permit application, the candidate must be able to provide the following types of documents:
- An authentic travel document or passport.
- A photograph along with a biometric impression.
- Proof stating that you easily fulfill all employment requirements.
- Quebec Selection Certificate, if required.
- Evidence regarding your relationship with your spouse, common-law partner, or children.
- If you apply from elsewhere (apart from Canada), submission of a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada application. (IMM 1295)
- IMM 5645 FORM – Family Information (complete)
- IMM 5488 – Completed Document Checklist
- Temporary Residence Visa form to be filled and completed by foreign nationals who seek a TRV to be in Canada. The chief applicant, their spouse or common-law partner, or dependent children who are over 18 years old.
- You might need to submit information from your employer.
Can I add my family members to my Canadian work permit application?
Applying through an employer-supported work permit might allow you to get your spouse or dependent children to accompany you to Canada. Also, if your children are at their school-going age, they can even attend Canadian schools without needing a work permit separately. On the other hand, your spouse or partner might be held eligible for an Open Work Permit application. This will enable them to work under any Canadian employer of their choice.
What is the cost of Canada’s work permit process?
The Closed Work Permit fee is $155 CAD for each person, while an Open Work Permit costs $255 per person. Renewal of a work permit or applying within a group of performing artists will require you to pay additional fees.
Will applying for a work permit in Canada without a job offer be permissible?
Those who have recently graduated from a DLI in Canada might have the eligibility to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit without a job offer or an LMIA. Additionally, if you have a spouse who already possesses a Canadian work permit or study permit, you might be eligible for a work permit application without any job offer.
However, most candidates must be able to obtain a work offer from a Canadian employer, along with an LMIA. The LMIA requirement will ensure that the foreign national hired will not adversely affect Canadians. Moreover, they will have a neutral or positive impact on the Canadian society.
Will I attain Canadian permanent residence while staying in Canada on a work permit?
You can apply for Canadian Permanent Residence if you are a work permit holder in Canada. Temporary Foreign Workers can access a few immigration programs suited for them. For instance, the Canadian Experience Class is one of the best methods to move closer to permanent residence in Canada.
The CEC pathway enables you to get Canadian PR, emphasizing your work experience in Canada.
Foreign nationals must fulfill the following criteria to attain PR in Canada using the CEC program:
- Hold a minimum of 12 months of skilled work experience on a full-time basis acquired within three years before applying.
- Fulfill the language requirement set by the NOC skill level for your work experience.
What is the processing duration for Canadian work permits?
The processing period for Canadian work permits is typically from one to nine months. The exact day when IRCC obtains your complete application marks the beginning of your application processing period and ends on the day when the department decides on your application.
However, the processing period will differ for everyone based on the following reasons:
- The application type submitted by the applicant.
- Whether the application is complete or not.
- Whether IRCC can verify your application conveniently or not.
- The amount of time you take to respond to IRCC’s requests or issues.
Who can be included in Canada’s Open Work Permits?
Eligibility of an Open Work Permit requires you to fulfill the following requirements:
- If you graduated from a Designated Learning Institute and have gained eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit.
- In case you fail to meet the education costs and reflect to be a destitute student.
- You applied for Canadian Permanent Residence.
- If you are connected to a family member who earlier applied for Canadian PR, and you are dependent on them.
- In case you are related to a skilled worker or international student as a spouse or common-law partner.
- If you are related to an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program as a Spouse or Common-Law Partner.
- In case you have been under an invalid removal order.
- If you are a holder of a Temporary Resident Permit.
- You fall under these categories – refugee claimant, protected person, or their family member.
- If you work at a younger age and participate in special programs.
The ultimate checklist for Canada’s work permit process – Will I be allowed to convert my visitor status to worker status in Canada?
A visitor can convert their visitor status to worker status by initially applying for a Temporary Residence Visa (as a visitor) and then applying for a Canadian work permit. Ensure that you apply for a work permit within Canada. Additionally, you must adhere to all work permit eligibility requirements if you possess a Canadian job offer. Hereafter, if eligible, you can proceed with a work permit application.
Conclusion
Canada’s work culture is perfect for all newcomers because the overall system ensures the safety of their employers. Moreover, Canadian wages are highly competitive, and foreign nationals have the right to obtain salaries equivalent to other Canadians. Also, several programs can help them proceed toward Canadian PR in the future.
