If you want to work in Canada and don’t know where to start – we can help you with selecting your options and the most appropriate immigration stream that is available for foreign workers. To start, those who wish to work in Canada, whether it’s long-term or short-term, must obtain a valid work permit.
A Canadian work permit is the permission to take a job within Canada if you are from a foreign country. You usually need a work permit to work in Canada. In some cases, you can work without a permit or job offer in Canada.
A work permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and, in most cases, allows you to work exclusively for the employer that is indicated in the document and perform a specific job. A work permit is also restricted to a specific location and time of work, or, in certain cases, it can be an Open Work Permit. It is important to understand at the very beginning of the application process what category your future job falls into, and the eligibility requirements you need to meet in order for your application to be successful.
Working in Canada is an attractive option for many skilled foreign workers from all over the world. Each year, close to 200,000 foreign skilled workers come to work in Canada on Temporary Canadian Work Permits. There is no reason why this cannot be you too!
In order to work in Canada on a temporary basis, foreign skilled workers must have a temporary offer of employment from a Canadian employer and be granted a Temporary Foreign Worker Permit by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. If you or a family member are applying for a PR card, you can also apply via an ‘Open Work’ permit, and if you are American or Mexican, you can fast track the working visa process via the NAFTA agreement.
If you are looking for a job, certain positions in Canada may require a person to know their National Occupation Classification Code (NOC Code). This code is used to classify all types of employment by Canadian standards.
Open Work Permit
You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’ve been included in an application for permanent residence, or an application for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. In this case, the application must fall under one of the following categories:
With this type of work permit, your job placement is not restricted to a specific employer and you may work for any employer unless the company is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions.
Overall, the process of getting a work permit – beginning with the application, getting an LMIA from your future employer, and getting the actual documents may take a couple of weeks to a couple of months. It also depends on the type of work you are applying for. If your job is at the managerial, executive or professional level, you may be eligible for a two-week application process.
