Canadian Work Permits 101
The main requirement for entering the Canadian labour market is obtaining a work permit. Having a Canadian work permit will allow you to become a part of the Canadian foreign worker family of more than 300,000 individuals. To find more on how to obtain a Canadian work permit, read on below!
Applying for a Canadian Work Permit
To obtain a Canadian work permit, you need to follow a two-step process.
Step 1
You must embark on your quest of obtaining a work permit by applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Your Canadian employer must take care of the domestic recruitment efforts, and demonstrate that your position cannot be fulfilled by any local employee.
Step 2
Once you are issued a positive LMIA, you are in the clear to apply for a Canadian work permit!Your work permit can be either Employer Specific, or an Open work permit.
An important point you must keep in mind is that in order to change employers, you must obtain a new work permit before you can join your new job.
How Long do Work Permits Last?
None of the work permits last indefinitely, and have an expiration date. The Canadian government puts a 4-year limit on the total amount of time individuals can work in Canada – either continuously or with periods of gaps in between.
Once you have worked your allotted 4 years, you must exit the country and remain outside for at least 4 years before you can obtain another work permit.
Note that if you want to work indefinitely in Canada, you can do so with a permanent residency.
What about the Open Work Permit?
An Open work permit is different than an employer specific one in the sense that it does not bind you to any specific occupation or employer. Moreover, the Open work permit also waives the requirement of a positive LMIA and an offer of employment.
Individuals who can apply for Open work permits include:
- Spouses or common-law partners of temporary foreign workers in a level 0, A or B occupation, according to the National Occupation Classification (NOC);
- The spouses or common-law partners of foreign students currently studying full-time;
- Recent International graduates from a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Are there Any Occupations which are Exempt from a Work Permit?
Yes! There are a few occupations you can qualify for without needing a Canadian work permit:
- Athletes and Team Members
- Aviation Accident or Incident Inspector
- Business Visitors
- Civil Aviation Inspector
- Clergy
- Convention Organisers
- Examiners and Evaluators
- Expert Witnesses or Investigators
- Family Members or Foreign Representatives
- Foreign Government Officers
- Foreign Representatives
- Health Care Students
- Implied Status
- Judges, Referees, and Similar Officials
- Military Personnel
- News Reporters, Media Crews
- On-campus Employment
- Performing Artists
- Public Speakers
- Transportation Crew
Who can Help Me Gain a Canadian Work Permit?
Your best solution for applying for a Canadian work permit is eduaid!We have been in this practice for almost 20 years, and our experience and history of successful applications has allowed us to set industry standards from day one. Whether you want to apply for an employer specific or an open work permit – we have you covered! Simply get in touch and set up an appointment, and we will take care of the rest!