Work In Canada

Canada temporary work permits
Canada is a prime destination for many foreign nationals who are seeking employment opportunities. The country boasts a strong and diverse economy with a high-standard of workplace safety, competitive wages, and many opportunities for professional growth and development. In addition to this, working in Canada is an excellent first step for those seeking to immigrate to the country permanently.

In order to work in Canada, it is necessary to ensure that a person has the proper authorization, as engaging in work without the proper authorization can have serious consequences on future immigration applications. Read below to learn more about the various options for immigrating to Canada as a temporary or permanent worker!

How to find a job in Canada
It may feel daunting to begin the search for employment in Canada. Thankfully, there are many resources for those seeking an official job offer from a Canadian employer. When beginning the job hunt, Be sure to take the time to prepare your resume and tailor your social media presence before sending out any applications!

  • Canadian Resume Guide
  • Social Media Presence Guide

Certain positions in Canada may require a person to know their National Occupation Classification Code (NOC Code). This code is used to classify all types of employment by Canadian standards. IMCAconsultancy assist you finding your NOC Code as well.

Benefits of working in Canada
Working in Canada has many benefits. Canadian labor laws ensure that workplaces have a high-degree of safety and that all employers follow certain laws and regulations to ensure the well-being of their employees. As well, Canadian wages are competitive and foreign nationals are required, by law, to be offered wages equivalent to their Canadian counterparts.

Finally, some Canadian work permits enable the spouse and children of workers to accompany them to Canada. Another significant benefit for those interested in immigrating to Canada permanently is that by gaining Canadian work experience, a foreign national may increase their eligibility for a number of Canadian permanent residency program. The following programs award value, in varying degrees, for Canadian work experience:

  • Express Entry
    Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
    Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
    Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
  • Quebec Immigration Programs
  • Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

Types of Canadian work permits
There are many different options for obtaining a Canadian work permit. Some work permits require a job offer from a Canadian employer, some require that the employer provide a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while others require that a person has some sort of connection to Canada (previous education, spousal sponsorship, etc.). Please refer to the categories below to determine the work permit which best suits your qualifications: Requiring a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

  • Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
    LMIA Work Permits
    Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
    Global Talent Stream

LMIA-Exempt but requiring a job offer or employment contract

  • International Mobility Program (IMP)
    LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
    NAFTA Work Permits
    CETA Work Permits
    Intra-Company Transfers

Open Work Permits (no job offers or LMIA required)

  • Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
  • Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
  • International Experience Canada (IEC)
  • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
  • Spouse Accompanying International Student

Immigration Tip: Canadian permanent residents do not require a work permit to work in Canada. Permanent resident status gives a person the legal right to live and work anywhere in the country. Find out more about permanent immigration options for professional and skilled workers.

How to obtain a Canadian work permit
The process for obtaining a Canadian work permit varies greatly depending on which type of work permit a person is applying. For example, an international student studying in Canada will oftentimes be automatically issued authorization to work part-time as part of their study permit authorization.

Most closed work permit applications require that a foreign national has an official job offer from a Canadian employer which is supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even those who are LMIA-exempt or exempt from requiring a work permit should be aware of the unique documentation they need to prepare in order to ensure they are granted entry to Canada. There are two general pathways for obtaining a Canadian work permit: a closed work permit and an open work permit.

Closed work permits are tied to specific employers, this means that a foreign national issued a closed work permit must remain working with the same employer at the same location unless they change their work permit.