If you are looking to temporarily work in Canada, you have the option to apply for a Canadian work permit if you meet the requirements for eligibility. There are different types of work permits in Canada, and each has a set of criteria applicants must meet.
At Sharkish, we help temporary workers and business people to contribute to Canada’s economy and add valuable, specialized skills needed to fill gaps and shortages. We will help you with your application to make sure you have avoided any errors, supplied all necessary documents, meet all requirements, and have guided advice throughout every step of the application process.
When is a Work Permit Required in Canada?
Any time an individual comes to Canada to perform a job or duty that contributes to the Canadian labour market, they will need a work permit. Canada work permits are typically issued to business investors, business people, skilled workers, live-in caregivers, and international students who are looking to work full time, conduct postgraduate research, or obtain internships.
If your work permit is going to expire before you are finished working in Canada or before you are able to leave, you may apply to have your permit extended. To do this, you must apply at least 30 days before your permit is set to expire; otherwise, you will be required to stop working and/or apply to restore your status as a worker.
Obtaining a Permit to Work in Canada
Individuals looking to obtain a work permit in Canada have two options to choose from depending on their reason for coming to Canada:
- LOpen Work Permit
- LEmployer-Specific Work Permit
Open Work Permit
An Open Work Permit is issued to foreign workers and allows them to work for any employer in Canada as long as the employer is not on the IRCC list of ineligible employers.
Types of Open Work Permits include:
- LPost Graduate Work Permit
- LSpousal/Common Law Open Work Permit
- LInternational Experience Canada
- LBridging Open Work Permit
An open work permit is only issued to individuals in certain specific situations. To be eligible for an open work permit, applicants must be one of the following:
- NAn international student who has graduated and coming to Canada under the Post Graduate Work Program
- NA destitute student (a student who has come to Canada to study but is no longer able to finance their studies)
- NAn individual who has applied for permanent residency in Canada or dependants of people who have applied for permanent residency
- NA worker currently in Canada on an Employer-Specific Work Permit but is experiencing abuse or at risk of abuse in their current workplace
- NA spouse or common-law partner of someone who is a skilled worker, an international student, or an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- NA refugee, refugee claimant, protected person, or the immediate family member of one
- NAn individual under an unenforceable removal order
- NAn individual who currently holds a temporary resident permit
- NA young worker coming to Canada to participate in a special program
Employer-Specific Work Permit
An Employer-Specific Work Permit allows individuals who have job offers or secured positions with a Canadian employer. This permit is only applicable for the conditions specified on the permit, and for that employer only. Each permit contains the employer’s name, employer’s location and where the work will be performed, and the length of time the employee will be working for that company.
To be eligible for an Employer-Specific Work Permit, applicants must have the following:
- LA job offer letter from a Canadian employer
- LAn approved labour market impact assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- LMeet the minimum criteria required by the NOC and IRCC for visa application
The Benefits of Working With a Registered Immigration Consultant
As a working professional, it’s important to make sure you are always staying on top of the legal requirements to conduct business or work within your field. If you come to Canada to do work, you are required to obtain a work permit; otherwise, you may face steep penalties that could put your business or employer in jeopardy.
Working with a professional registered RCIC consultant to make sure you meet the requirements for a work permit, have properly filled out the right documents and paperwork, applied for the proper work permit, and work legally in Canada under the right program.
If You Want to Work in Canada, Let a Professional Immigration Consultant Help You Secure Your Success
At Sharkish Immigration Inc., we help immigrants and foreign workers live out their dreams to work in Canada by obtaining the proper work permits and visas. You cannot afford to make a vital mistake, and we are here to ensure this does not happen.
To determine your eligibility, you can fill out our free assessment. If you are eligible, you can contact our team to learn more about our services, or book a consultation online. We are always happy to help answer your questions or provide custom, tailored advice.
