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Canadian Work Permit

Canada is actively seeking foreign workers and professionals to help grow its strong national workforce

Jobs in Canada

In almost every case, a job offer is required in order to obtain a Canadian work permit. A job offer can also help you obtain Canadian permanent residence, through an Arranged Employment. Certain categories like open work permits and the working holiday visa program do not require a job offer in order to obtain a Canada work permit.

Why Hire Internationally Trained Workers?

Significant portions of Canada’s workforce have training and experience gained outside Canada. These internationally trained workers (ITWs), including immigrants, refugees, international students and Canadians who trained or worked outside of the country, represent a valuable source of skills and talent and a growing proportion of Canada’s talent pool.

Hiring and retaining ITWs can help Canadian Employers:

• Meet their labour needs: ITWs will play an increasingly significant role in Canada’s labour force.
• Increase competitiveness: Many ITWs have the skills and talents to help organization compete in the global marketplace.
• Access new markets: ITWs may speak languages and have knowledge of cultures that can help to develop new local and global markets.
• Make organizations more effective: ITWs can bring fresh perspectives into the organization, stimulating new thinking and introducing more effective ways of doing business.
• Connect with other valuable workers and organizations: ITWs may be able to link employers to other prospective employees and connect business to useful national or international organizations.

Who can work in Canada?

All permanent residents can work in Canada

Newcomers with permanent resident status in Canada are authorized to work for any employer they wish to.

Work permit holders can work in Canada

Foreign nationals can apply for a work permit to work temporarily in Canada. Many have employer-specific work permits. This means that they can only work for the employer named on their work permit. In some cases, the employer may need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before a work permit can be issued. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker is available.

Some foreign nationals have an open work permit which allows the individual to work for any employer in Canada.

Some international students can work in Canada

Many full-time post-secondary international students holding a valid study permit are eligible to work off campus for up to 20 hours per week and full-time during academic study breaks, such as during summer and winter holidays or spring break.  No separate work permit is required for students in this situation – the authorization to work will be printed directly on their study permit.

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA):

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) formally called a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker.

A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job. It will also show that no Canadian worker is available to do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter.

If the employer needs an LMIA, they must apply for one.

Once an employer gets the LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit.

To apply for a work permit, a worker needs:

• A job offer letter,
• A contract,
• A copy of the LMIA, and
• The LMIA number.

LMIA Exemptions:

There are other categories of Canada work permit that do not require an LMIA.

• NAFTA Work Permits
• Intra-Company Transfer
• Post-Graduate Work Permit

Interested in applying for a Canadian Work Permit? Contact us today!