A Canadian work permit is a legal document permitting a foreign national to engage in employment . Each year, Canada issues many work permits to temporary foreign workers around the world. Canada has been a popular destination for skilled foreign workers who are seeking employment opportunities. Moreover, working in Canada is an excellent first step for those seeking to immigrant to Canada permanently.
Canada offers two types of open and employer specific Canadian work permit. The open Canadian work permit allows you to work for any employers whereas the employer specific work permit allows you to work for the employer that applied for your work permit.
Types of Canadian work permit
There are different options for obtaining a work permit in Canada . Some work permits require a job offer from a Canadian employer, some need that the employer provide a LMIA (, while others require that a person has some sort of connection to Canada. A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that assesses the impact of employing a foreign national in Canada. A positive LMIA indicates that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to fill the position, So enabling the employer to hire a foreign national.
Work visa after education
Work companion visa
Intra-company transfer program
Work visa for caregivers
TFWP Program – Work permit in Canada based on LMIA
IMP Program – Work permit in Canada without LMIA required
Conditions for obtaining a Canadian work visa
A valid job offer from a Canadian employer, but for an Open Work Permit, a job offer is not required.
Obtaining LMIA from the Canadian Ministry of Labor by the employer (for job offers that require LMIA)
Having a valid academic degree
Specialized and related work experience
Sufficient financial ability to cover living expenses in Canada
English or French language skills
Having physical health
Not having a bad background
The job title of the job offer in Canada’s national NOC job classification
Programs
Temporary foreign worker program
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers to temporarily hire foreign nationals to fill Canadian labor shortages. The IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) operates TFWP.
International mobility program(IMP)
The International Mobility Program (IMP) enables Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers without the need for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Global talent stream
The Global talent stream (GTS) is a 2- year pilot program launched in June 2017 through a partnership between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The GTS assists certain Canadian employers to hire highly-skilled global talent enabling them to compete on an international scale
