If you plan to come as a temporary worker and are wondering how you can work in Canada, here we have the answers. Keep reading this article to learn all your options.
First, it is crucial to know that there are many ways to do it, but you will always need to get a work permit.
How Can you Get a Canadian Work Permit?
There are several ways to do it. In general, there are different types of work permits. So to learn how to work in Canada as a foreigner, you need to start by applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Overall, you need a work permit to legally join the Canadian workforce as a foreigner. Most of the time, international workers need to get a job offer from a Canadian employer to apply for their work permit. Sometimes, the employer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to give the job position to a foreign worker and not to a permanent resident or citizen.
What is an LMIA?
It is a vital step to learn how you can work in Canada. The LMIA aims to ensure that foreign workers won’t hurt the Canadian workforce. But, then, an employer looking to hire an international worker must submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application to the Canadian government.
Once the Canadian government receives the application, they review it to determine whether hiring a foreign worker will negatively affect the Canadian labour market. Therefore, among other factors, it must be clear that any Canadian citizen or resident could do that work and that they will meet federal standards.
Who Needs an LMIA?
Part of discovering how you can work in Canada is knowing that not everyone needs an LMIA. Even though most foreign workers need it, it is not mandatory for everyone. Special work permits for some specific workers can be exempted from LMIA. For instance, there are special work permit programs for business people, the Atlantic Immigration program or post-graduation work permits for international students.
LMIA Exempted Work Permits
To learn how you can work in Canada without an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), foreigners have several options to do it. Depending on their case, the following programs don’t require LMIA or a job offer.
- Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
- Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
- International Experience Canada (IEC) (working holiday visa)
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
- Spouse Accompanying International Student or Worker
Furthermore, other great options are LMIA Exempted but require a job offer.
- International Mobility Program (IMP)
- NAFTA Work Permits
- CETA Work Permits
- Intra-Company Transferees
- Owner-Operator Work Permit
- Atlantic Immigration Program
How Long Are Work Permits Valid?
Work Permits have different expiration dates. Most of the time, they are valid for one year. However, a foreign worker can always apply to extend it.
So, depending on the programs, some work permits can be extended up even for five or seven years.
General Requirements for a Work Permit
If you are starting your research about how come and work in Canada, you’ll find that depending on your program, you may need different requirements. However, here is a list of the general requirements you may need:
- Prove you will leave Canada when your work permit expires.
- Show enough money to take care of yourself and your family while in Canada and return to your home country.
- Have no record of criminal activity.
- Provide any other document required to prove you can enter Canada.
Apply For PR with a Work Visa – How Work in Canada
Moreover, it is a great and effective option if you are considering how to work in Canada to qualify for a Permanent Residency. Indeed, Canada is looking for skilled individuals to come, work, and help recover the economy.
So, if you are currently working in Canada and want to apply for permanent residence, you can do it under one of the following immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program.
- Canadian Experience Class.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Provincial Nominee Program.
These options are some of the most popular, but remember that each case is different, and you may need to explore all your options to find the one that best fits your needs.
How to Work in Canada – FAQ´s
Can I Come With my Family?
Yes, as a foreign worker, your close family members can come with you. Your spouse can apply for an open work permit, and dependent children will have study permits.
What am I Allowed to Do on a Canadian Work Permit?
A Canadian work permit allows you to join the Canadian workforce. Depending on your job, you may have some conditions that may include the type of work you can get, where, for whom and how long you can stay and work in Canada.
It is vital to know that even if you are living in Canada under a Work permit, you are not a permanent resident and must leave Canada when it expires.
However, if you want to know how to stay and work in Canada, we are experts in all types of visas and permits to help you discover your best pathway.
How Work In Canada? We Can Help
If you are wondering how to come and work in Canada, we are your trusted immigration firm to help you with the whole process. But, again, each person and each case is different. That’s why we offer a personalized service to customize our solutions to your needs.
Our immigration lawyers and consultants will explore your options to give you the best pathway for your needs. So fill out our free assessment and start your immigration process today.
