Work Permits

Working in Canada – Temporary Work Permits Made Easy

For foreign nationals seeking to work in Canada on a temporary basis, a work permit is usually required. There are two primary programs through which work permits are issued: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Under the TFWP, work permits are granted to candidates whose employers obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This assessment ensures that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill the specific job and that no qualified Canadian worker is available for the position.

On the other hand, the IMP work permits do not require a positive LMIA, but the employer must submit an employment offer under their employer portal.

There are two types of work permits issued in Canada: employer-specific work permits, which are tied to a particular employer, and open work permits, which allow the holder to work for any employer in the country.

Candidates applying for an employer-specific work permit must have either a positive LMIA or an offer of employment from their employer before applying.

In certain circumstances, open work permits are issued to allow individuals to work for any employer in Canada.

Some occupations are exempt from the work permit requirement.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) helps Canadian employers recruit foreign workers to address labor market shortages. It encompasses four streams: high-skilled workers, low-skilled workers, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, and the Live-In Caregiver Program.

Foreign workers must secure an approved job offer and a valid work permit before arriving in Canada under the TFWP.

Through the LMIA process, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) collaborates with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure that foreign workers do not displace qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents from available job opportunities.

For work permit conditions, validity, and duration information, applicants can find more details on Immigration.ca’s website, which collaborates with the in-house recruitment enterprise SkilledWorker. This partnership helps employers and job seekers navigate the recruitment process, obtain favorable LMIAs, and apply for Canada work permits and related Canadian visas.

Candidates with a job offer in Canada and ready to apply for a work permit can fill out a questionnaire for a free assessment to begin the process smoothly.