Job vacancies in Canada have hit a new peak this year. Statistics Canada reported there are slightly over one million job openings. Canada is looking outside its country to offer work to foreign workers to meet increasing labour demands. 

Earlier this month, it was also reported that Canada is on track to meet its Immigration Levels Plan target of 431,000 new permanent residents by 2022s end. This push to welcome newcomers to Canada is to counter-act its historically low unemployment rate and to help fill these job vacancies.

Learn about the requirements to work in Canada.

Obtaining the right work permit information is critical when seeking employment in Canada. You may wonder, “what are the requirements to obtain a work permit in Canada?” Check out our previous post Find a Job in Canada and Get a Work Permit to learn about the market and the steps to get a Canadian work permit.

A work permit application’s eligibility criteria and conditions depend on the specific work permit sought. Luckily, mana immigration also wrote about the necessary steps and actions you need to take. In How To Work in Canada, we go over exemptions, validity, general requirements and frequently asked questions about work permits. 

What Work Permits are available?

Work permits in Canada are the main mechanism to allow non-citizens to work and live in the country. There are two types of Canadian work permits: 

1. Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): The LMIA process is conducted by the Canadian employer who wants to hire the worker, and involves several steps. This includes proving there are no qualified Canadian candidates for the job; demonstrating that paying a foreign worker the prevailing wage will not have a negative impact on existing Canadian workers’ wages or working conditions; demonstrating that they need the foreign worker’s particular skills. The employer will provide a valid job offer once the candidate has met the requirements. Foreign workers can apply for a temporary work permit from the IRCC only after they have received the job offer.
2. Open Work Permit: An open work permit is a temporary resident visa that allows the holder to work for any employer in Canada, not just the one that applied for it. It also allows you to travel and come back to Canada as often as you want. There are four pathways:
   1. International Graduates-Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is for international students that have completed an education program minimum of 8 months from a designated post-secondary institution. 
   2. Spouses or Common Law Partners of Temporary Foreign Workers or International Students. Eligibility varies depending on if you are; (1) a spouse or common-law partner of temporary foreign workers; or (2) a spouse or common-law partner of an international student.
   3. Spouses or Common-Law Partners who are Sponsored under Inland Sponsorship
   4. International Experience Canada (IEC): allows youth from 30 different countries to work in Canada for temporary periods at any employer.

Is LMIA Work Permit Best for you?

The choice of which work permit is right for you is a difficult one. There are many factors that need to be considered before making a decision. It’s also not a one-size-fits-all either, as each option has its own rules and standards.

When looking at LMIA, this work permit is best suited for truck drivers, farm supervisors, caregivers, software engineers, construction managers, registered nurses, web designers, electricians and civil engineers. 

In addition, some candidates can apply for an expedited LMIA application. This 10-business day processing service is for these specific workers:

• Skilled Trades/Professions in High Demand: service is available for foreign skilled trade works found on the list of eligible occupations and the wage being offered for the position is at or above the provincial/territorial median wage. Examples of occupations include:
  • Contractors and supervisors in electrical, carpentry, mechanic, heavy equipment, and construction trades
  • Supervisors in mining, logging, and forestry occupations
  • Machinists, sheet metal workers, ironworkers, and welders 
  • Industrial and power systems electricians, cable workers, and plumbers.
• Top 10% Wage Earners: service available for foreign workers who are paid at or above the top 10 percent of wages earned in the province. Examples include:
  • Ontario: hourly wage of $48 or higher 
  • British Columbia: hourly wage of $45 or higher 
  • Manitoba: hourly wage of $43 or higher 
  • Alberta: hourly wage of $52 or higher
• Short Duration: foreign workers who will only be employed for under 120 days and paid above the median wage in the province/territory.

Is Open-Work Permit Best for You?

Open work permits on the other hand are more direct to their name. It’s an option to allow foreign workers more flexibility in where they work. 

Regardless of which category you fall under, – whether it be PGWP, IEC, or Spousal Sponsorship – the open-work permit allows the opportunity to work for any occupation anywhere in Canada, with the freedom to change employers anytime. 

Some examples of job industries looking to hire open-work permit holders include: 

• Hospitality Industry: dishwasher, kitchen helper, or host/hostess positions are in high demand and provide hands-on experience.
• Maintenance: hotel room attendants or exhibit cleaners and provides candidates with professional development and training. 
• Administrative: cashier, office assistant, or telecommunications all offer excellent customer service experience. 

Do you still need help deciding?

Before moving forward, are you still unsure what the best work permit is for you? Contact us at mana immigration. Our experienced team will be happy to help you find the right fit.