WHERE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH THRIVES
WORK IN CANADA
LMIA - REQUIRED WORK PERMIT
OPEN WORK PERMIT
POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT
WORK WITHOUT A WORK PERMIT
Work in Canada
If you are from a foreign country, you will need a Canadian work permit to work in Canada. To work in Canada, you normally require a work permit. In some instances, you can work in Canada without a permit or a job offer. Many skilled foreign workers from all around the world find working in Canada to be an appealing alternative. More than 326,000 foreign skilled workers enter Canada each year on Temporary Canadian Work Permits.
LMIA - Required Work Permit
An employer in Canada may be required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before recruiting a foreign worker.
A positive LMIA means that a foreign worker is needed to fill the position. It will also demonstrate that there is no Canadian worker or permanent resident who is qualified for the position. A confirmation letter is the name given to a positive LMIA.
If an LMIA is required, the employer must apply for one.
The worker can apply for a work permit once the LMIA is received by the company.
A worker must meet certain requirements in order to apply for a work visa:
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a employment offer letter
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a contract
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a copy of the LMIA
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and the LMIA number
Open Work Permit
Open work permit allows eligible foreign nationals to work for any employer in Canada. The candidates can apply for an open work permit from inside or outside Canada.
You may be eligible for an open work permit, if you:
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are an overseas student who has completed your studies at a designated learning institution and is qualified for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
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are a student who can no longer afford to pay for your studies? (destitute student)
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have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at danger of being abused in Canada because of your job
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submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada
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are a dependent family member who has applied for permanent residence
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are a skilled worker's or international student's spouse or common-law partner
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are a spouse or common-law partner of an Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program applicant
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are a refugee, refugee claimant, or protected person, or a family member of a refugee, refugee claimant, or protected person
Post-Graduation Work Permit
PGWP
Students who have graduated from qualifying Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) can apply for an open work permit to get important Canadian job experience through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). Through the PGWPP, graduates can obtain skilled Canadian work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B, which helps them qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class within Express Entry.
A post-graduation work permit may be granted for a minimum of 8 months and a maximum of 3 years, depending on the length of the study programme.
Students who have completed their programme of study are permitted to work while waiting for a decision on their post-graduation work permit application (under paragraph 186(w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations [IRPR]), providing they meet all of the following criteria:
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they are or were holders of a valid study permit at the time of the post-graduation work permit application
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they were a full-time student enrolled at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program
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they were authorized to work off-campus without a work permit
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they did not exceed the allowable hours of work
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Work while studying:
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Work On and Off-Campus: Work while studying full-time with valid study permit, and have a Social Insurance Number.
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Work as Co-op students/ interns: with Co-op work permit as required for completing the study program and a valid study permit.
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Spousal Work Permit:
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If your spouse has a valid study permit and is a full-time student.
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Spousal Open work permit will be valid for the same period as the study permit.
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Family Visit:
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With a valid study permit and a full-time student, you can invite your family members to come visit you in Canada.
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Stay in Canada after graduation:
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With work permit after graduating, the work experience you gain while working may help you qualify for permanent residence.
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Work Without a Work Permit
Most people need Canadian work permits to work in Canada, but there are exceptions where a foreign worker is eligible to work without a work permit:
1. Business Visitor
2. Foreign representatives and R186(c) - Family members of foreign representatives
3. Military personnel
4. Foreign government officers
5. On-campus employment
6. Performing artists
7. Athletes and team members
8. News reporters, media crews
9. Public speakers
10. Convention organizers
11. Religious leaders
12. Judges, referees and similar officials
13. Examiners and evaluators
14. Expert witnesses or investigators
15. Health care students
16. Civil aviation inspector
17. Aviation accident or incident inspector
18. Crew
19. Emergency service providers
20. Implied status
21. Off-campus work
22. Farm work
