Canada Work Permit & LMIA
Canada is the foremost choice for most foreign nationals who are willing to gain an international competitive edge in their career. Foreign workers often apply for Canada Work Permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) which is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). With a booming economy, stable market, world-class infrastructure, lucrative opportunities and welcoming residents, Canada Work Permit is an excellent choice for temporary workers to come and grow professionally. Additionally, work permits are excellent initial steps leading to Permanent Resident opportunities under Canada Immigration programs for eligible candidates.
Canada Work Permit Visa features
Canada Immigration authorities offer certain features along with the Canada work permit visa for the foreign nationals
Work for the employer who provided the LMIA – Labor Market Impact Assessment
Excellent pathway to Canada PR for eligible candidates
Family members may be eligible for study permits and open work permit in Canada
Dependents can accompany the principal applicant
Travel and explore Canada
Eligibility Criteria for Canada work permit visa
Apart from specific requirements depending on personal and work-related situation, there are certain basic requirements that every foreign national must satisfy in order to get Canada work permit visa
Must prove to Canada Immigration authorities that you will leave the country when the Canada work permit expires
Must show enough financial support to take of you and your family during your stay in Canada and the trip back home post the Canada work permit visa expires
Must not be criminally inadmissible. A police clearance certificate will be required in support of this.
Must not be a danger to Canada’s security
Must be medically fit and get a medical examination done
Must not plan to work for employers listed “ineligible” on the list of employers failing to comply with the conditions
Must not work for an employer who offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages
Must provide all documentation and proofs required by an Immigration officer to enter the country on Canada work permit visa
What is Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
The ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) is responsible for assessing job opportunities offered by employers to foreign nationals. Before issuing a work permit, this assessment is required to ensure that no Citizen or Permanent Resident was available to fill the job opportunity. Once verified, the ESDC issues a valid Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in favor of the job offer. Canada Immigration Authorities i.e. IRCC further processes the Canada work permit visa for foreign nationals. Various steps are involved in getting a valid LMIA for hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW). The employer must apply to ESDC for the assessment and cover for all costs involved in the process.
Who can apply for an Open work permit (doesn’t need an LMIA)?
Eligible International student who graduated from a DLI may apply for a Post Graduate Work permit (PGWP)
Student who’s not able to meet the costs of education (destitute student)
Person with an employer-specific Canada work permit who’s being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to the job
Applied for Canada PR or Candidates applied for PR from inside Canada
Dependent family member of someone who’s applied for Canadian PR
Spouse or common-law partner of a Temporary foreign worker or international student
Spouse or common-law partner of applicants under AIPP – Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Refugee claimants, protected persons or their family members
Persons under unenforceable removal orders
TRP temporary resident permit holder for 6 months or more
young worker participating in special programs under Canada Immigration
Vulnerable worker may be issued an Open work permit
Person with Humanitarian considerations
International workers authorized to enter the country on a reciprocal basis under an agreement:
Participants of Canada World Youth Program
Working Holiday participants under the International Experience Canada IEC program
family members of LMIA-exempt foreign representatives and of military personnel, with countries where reciprocal arrangements exist
professional International athletes playing in a Canadian team, who need other work in order to support themselves
Bridging open work permit applicant
Canada PR applicants under the Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class may be issued a work authorization under the Open work permit pilot program
Student under Post-secondary co-op courses or secondary co-op courses
Different types of Canada Work Permit
Open Work Permit
Caregivers work permit
Employer-specific Canada work permit – LMIA required
International Experience Canada – IEC
Work permit for Agricultural workers
Canada work permit issued under Canadian Agreements with other countries
Studying and working in Canada as an International student – Post Graduate Work permit (PGWP) Converting Canada Work Permit Visa in Canada PR – Permanent Resident status
The benefit of working on Work Permit is the fact that a foreign national can accumulate Canadian work Experience. It can further be utilized for applying to a suitable Canada Immigration program as per the eligibility of the candidate. The usual requirement in considering the validity of the time period will include a variety of factors like type of work performed, number of hours per week and whether it was paid or not.
What is dependent Canada Work Permit Visa
Canada Immigration allows a spouse or common-law partner to work in the country and they would need a work permit to do so. An eligible spouse or common-law partner may be issued an open work permit and could work for any employer. Whereas a study permit may be issued to dependent children for education or courses beyond 6 months in duration. If a dependent child wants to work in the country, an LMIA would be required for processing the Canada work permit for a specific employer.
Who is eligible for a Dependent Visa?
Canada Work Permit allows certain family members to accompany the principal applicant. Dependent visa may be issued to a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children below the age of 22 years. Furthermore, the child must not have a spouse or a partner. However, children over the age of 22 may qualify as dependents if they have been dependent on the family for financial support before the age off 22 and they are not able to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.
Steps involved when applying for Canada work permit
Step 1: If required, the employer applies for an LMIA – Labor Market Impact Assessment
Step 2: Employer provides the job offer and LMIA approval letter to the Foreign worker
Step 3: Foreign Worker applies for a Canada Work Permit
Step 4: Canada Immigration authorities issue the work permit
Please refer to our detailed step by step guide on application for Canada Work Permit Visa
Time required to process Canada Work Permit applications
Depending upon the complexity of the case, processing of a work permit can be a time-consuming process. The LMIA Processing Time must also be included in the overall estimation of the time period. It is suggested for the employers to start the process at least 6 months prior to the job start date. The entire Canada Work Permit process can take up to a couple of months.