WHY CANADA WORK PERMIT?

An overseas worker applying for Canada Work Visa must collate all the required documents from the employer. They will also need the below forms and documents:

• A valid Passport or Travel document
• 2 photos along with photos of family members who are accompanying
• Proof that you fulfil the requirements of the prospective job in Canada
• Evidence of available funds
• If required, Certificat D’Acceptation du Quebec
• Evidence of relationships with Common-law partner, Spouse, and Children
• Completed application form IMM 1295 for Work Visa applied outside Canada
• Completed form IMM 5488 Document Checklist
• Completed form IMM 5645 Family Information
• Completed form Schedule One –TRV/ Temporary Resident Visa Application
• Completed form IMM 5409 Legal Statement of Common-law Union
• Completed form IMM 5476 for Use of a Representative *

* Note: You must complete this form only if a Representative will conduct business on your behalf. It must also be completed by all dependent children above 18 years who will be using a Representative.

Canada Open Work Permit is offered to an overseas national only through one of the LMIA – Labour Market Impact Assessment exemptions. They can apply for the Open Work Permit at a port of entry outside Canada. The application can also be submitted after arrival to Canada according to the requirements of the program. 

In most of the cases, the Open Work Permit fee has to be paid along with the Work Permit fee.

There are three categories of open work permits:

1. Unrestricted open work permit
2. Occupation restricted open work permit
3. Restricted work permit

The unrestricted open work permit allows a foreigner to travel to Canada and work there on any job for any employer and at any place. In the occupation restricted open work permit the person can work for any employer but only in a specified job. With a restricted work permit, the individual can change the   employer but not the place of work.

Canada Work Visa is offered to an overseas national who intends to work in Canada. They must not be a Canada PR Visa holder or Citizen. This is mandatory for working in Canada irrespective of the employer living in Canada or not.

Canada Work Permit application from India requires verification from the labour market in Canada. It is known as the LMO – Labour Market Opinion. The application for Work Visa can be submitted only after getting positive LMO.

The Canada Work Visa process involves 2 stages. In the first stage, the employer in Canada must get approval from the Government of Canada to hire overseas workers. In the second step, the designated employee must apply for obtaining the Work Visa after getting permission.

• The application is checked to ensure it has all the necessary documents. Incomplete applications are sent back.
• You may need to undergo a medical exam which can add up to three months to the processing time.
• The processing time can vary based on the country
• You might also need to give your biometrics with the application
• An officer will check the credentials of the employer who has hired you
• An officer will check if you qualify for a work permit
• After approval of your application you will get a letter giving you permission to work in Canada
• You must take this letter when you leave for Canada
• You will get your Work Permit on arrival in Canada
• It will have details of the type of work you will do, mention the employer and the place and duration of your work

Yes, in most cases, they can work in Canada. They will need a work permit to work in the country. However, they must individually apply for the work permit. In some cases, they can also apply for an open work permit which allows them to apply for any job with any employer. The employer must get an LMIA to employ the person. The spouse dependent work permit will be processed in 1 to 3 months.

1. Your spouse can work full time in Canada.
2. Your spouse will not be required to clear the IELTS
3. Your spouse can start working as soon as they arrive in Canada
4. There is no minimum work experience required to file for a spouse dependent work permit
5. Your spouse can stay with you as long as your visa is valid

You can apply for spouse dependent work permit as soon as you get your study/work permit in Canada. You will get them approximately around 15 days from arrival.

The visa is not job-specific, so applicants are required to meet similar requirements as applicants for other types of job visas. These include not needing the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an offer letter from an employer who has paid the compliance fee.  However not everyone is eligible for the open work permit visa.

Individuals including foreigners who need a job to support themselves

• Applicants for PR visa
• Dependent family members of these applicants
• Spouses of skilled worker residents
• Spouses of foreign students
• Foreign nationals currently in Canada whose work permit will soon expire and have applied for permanent residence
• Refugees, protected persons, and their relatives
• Participants in working holiday programs
• International students who completed their post- secondary education in Canada

You get an approval letter – known as the Port of Entry (PoE) Letter of Introduction – stating that you are allowed to work in Canada.

This is not a work permit in itself, and will have to be presented at the PoE when you travel to Canada.

Once your work permit application is approved, you can travel to Canada with the PoE Letter of Introduction.

You will get your work permit in Canada at the PoE the day that you arrive in the country.

A Canadian work permit will specifically mention –

· The employer that you are allowed to work for,

· The employer that you can work for,

· How long can you work for, and

· Where can you work in the country.

A 9-digit Social Insurance Number (SIN) will be required for working in Canada and for accessing government benefits and programs.

You should be applying for a SIN – at the nearest Service Canada office – as soon as possible after arriving in Canada.

A common-law partner or spouse that intends working in Canada will have to apply for their own Canadian work permit. Usually, the spouse or partner will have to meet the same rules and requirements as the work permit holder.

The spouse or partner might be able to apply for an open work permit for Canada

Dependent children of the Canada work permit holder might apply to come with the individual to Canada. If they wish, such dependent children might apply for a study permit of Canada or a Canadian work permit

The Canada work permit is to be printed after the border services officer has checked the documentation, confirming that you can enter Canada.

In case of any mistake on the printed work permit, ask the border services office concerned.

To be able to stay on in Canada on a permanent basis after entering the country on a Canada work permit, the individual must qualify under any of the permanent resident categories available.

For example, the Express Entry system, Canadian PNP, Agri-Food Pilot, Atlantic Immigration Pilot etc.