When it comes to living and working in Canada, the means to get there seem almost endless as Canada has over 100 immigration routes. In addition to the many immigration programs, there are also many requirements. One of the most frequently asked questions is usually about obtaining a Canadian work visa.
There is no reason not to be one of the more than 1.2 million immigrants welcomed to Canada by 2023, as we answer all the crucial questions about Canadian work visas.
FAQ 1: What Is a Canadian Work Visa?
The Canadian work permit, also known as the Canadian work visa, is issued to foreigners who wish to work in the country for a specified period. The work permit allows business people, temporary workers, permanent workers, students, and others to work in Canada. There are two main types of work visas in Canada, namely:
- employer-specific work permits; and
- and open work permits.
FAQ 2: How Can I Get an Employer-Specific Work Permit?
Most foreigners who wish to work in Canada will receive a specific work permit from the employer, as it will allow you to work in Canada under specific conditions. This permit, also known as a closed work permit, will limit you to one employer and one position.
Limitations on your visa may include:
- the name of the specific employer you can work for;
- how long you can work for; and
- if applicable, the location where you can work.
One way to get a closed work permit is through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This program allows Canadian employers to temporarily hire foreign nationals to fill the labor shortage in Canada and bring in new skills and knowledge to help the country’s economy grow. The sectors included in the TFWP are Global Talent Streama and Agricultural Stream.
Global Talent Stream
Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a government-provided program to help Canadian employers with a faster way to recruit highly skilled foreign talent to expand the Canadian workforce. One of the main advantages of going through the GTS is that processing times can be as short as two weeks. The GTS is available for two categories of employers:
Category A
This category is for employers who have been referred to the Global Talent Stream by one of the Stream’s Designated Partners after demonstrating the need to hire unique and specialized temporary foreign workers for growth.
To be eligible for this category, you must meet the following conditions:
- Have a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- You must have a job offer in Canada.
- Be able to prove that you’ll leave Canada after the work permit expires.
- Prove that you can finance your stay and your family’s stay in Canada and that you have enough funds to go back to your home country.
- Have a clean criminal record;
- prove that you aren’t a threat to the national security of Canada.
- Be in good health.
A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that proves that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is willing or able to occupy a specific position in Canada, allowing the employee to hire a worker foreign.
Category B
This category is for employers looking to hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill in-demand positions in Canada that are on the Global List of Talented Occupations.
This list includes professions such as:
- Computer and information systems managers;
- Database analysts and data administrators;
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers; and
- Information systems testing technicians.
Agriculture Stream
The agricultural component will allow foreigners to work as temporary foreign workers for a period of 24 months. One of the many benefits of this component is that the employer must pay round-trip transportation costs, provide affordable housing, and pay for health insurance.
Other means of obtaining a Canadian work visa may be through the flow of high-paying or low-paying jobs.
FAQ 3: How Can I Get an Open Work Permit?
Obtaining an open work permit would mean that you are allowed to have any job in Canada, anywhere. However, a restricted open work permit might tie you to the type of work you do.
Basically, the open work visa also means that you are exempt from the need for a Labor Market Impact Assessment. One way to get an open work permit can be through the International Mobility Program (IMP). This program allows Canadian employees to hire temporary foreign workers without the need for an LMIA. Employers favor this program because the process is much faster and easier.
The International Mobility Program serves the broader economic and cultural interests of Canada. One of these interests is the Graduate Work Permit, which allows graduate foreign students to obtain an open work visa.
Post-Graduation Work Permit
The Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) will allow international students graduating from a designated learning institute (DLI) to obtain an open work visa. Graduates with the PTPD are free to change jobs or locations in Canada. The validity can be up to three years, depending on the length of the program.
You can apply for a Post-Graduation Worker Permit if:
- your study permit is still valid;
- you have a valid visitor record;
- you have maintained full-time student status in Canada;
- you submitted an application to extend your study permit before it expired and no decision has been made on your application; and
- you studied program at a designated learning institution that was at least eight months long.
If studying in Canada is something you would love to do, there are plenty of affordable colleges in Canada. The spouse or national partner of an international student can also apply for an open work permit.
Other programs that allow you to obtain an open work permit include International Experience Canada (IEC) or being the spouse of a skilled worker, an applicant for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, or a family member. of a person who has applied for permanent residence.
FAQ 4: What Is the Cost of a Canadian Work Permit?
| CANADIAN WORK VISA FEES | |
|---|---|
| Fees | CAN |
| Work permit (including extensions) – per person | $155 |
| Work permit (including extensions) – per group (3 or more performing artists) | $465 |
| Open work permit holder | $100 |
| Restore your status as a worker – Restore your status ($200) and get a new work permit ($155) | $355 |
Maximum Group Fee for Work Permit: To be eligible, you must be a group of three or more performing artists and their staff and apply simultaneously and in one location.
FAQ: 5: How Long Does it Take to Get a Canadian Work Visa?
The Canada work visa has a wide range and the application processing time will depend on the completion of your application and the office in which you submitted the application. However, it usually takes around 1 to 27 weeks to process the permit.
FAQ 6: How to Apply for a Work Visa
You must apply for a work permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be done online, each country of origin will have different forms that need to be filled out.
How applying online helps you
- No courier fees or mail delivery time – they get your application instantly.
- It helps you make sure your application is complete before you submit it.
- You can quickly submit more documents online (if need be).
- You get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.
Your Pathway to Immigrating to Canada
Whether you are working in Canada on an open or closed work visa, this will open the doors to immigration for you. Work experience in Canada plays an important role in the success of foreigners to become permanent residents of Canada. The Canadian Experience Class that is included in the Express Entry for One system is a great way to use your Canadian work experience to live and work permanently in Canada.