How to get a Canada Work Permit – Everything You Need To Know

Foreign nationals who want to work in Canada temporarily need a permit. The two main programs for obtaining work permits include the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The TFWP gives work permits to people whose employers get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which says that a specific job needs a foreign worker and that no Canadians are available to do the job.

On the other hand, permits through the IMP program don’t need a positive LMIA, but the employer must submit an offer of employment through their employer portal.

In Canada, two types of work permits are available: employer-specific work permits, which allow individuals to work for a specific employer, and open work permits, which would enable individuals to work for any employer.

Work Permits in Canada: Open and Employer-Specific Permits, Exceptions, and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

In Canada, work permits come in two forms: employer-specific and freelance. An employer-specific work permit specifies conditions such as the name of the employer, the length of time the worker can work, and the location of his work. To apply for a particular employer permit in Canada, individuals must have a positive labor market impact assessment or a job offer from their potential employer.

On the other hand, a freelance work permit allows people to work for any employer in Canada, but these permits are only issued under certain circumstances.

Certain occupations are exempt from the work permit requirement. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) was created to help Canadian employers recruit foreign workers to address labor market shortages. This program comprises four streams: high-skilled workers, low-skilled workers, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, and the Live-In Caregiver Program. Foreign workers must have an approved job offer and a work permit before coming to Canada through the TFWP. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) work with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure that foreign workers do not take jobs that Canadian citizens or permanent residents could fill through the Labour Market Impact Assessment process.

Work Permits in Canada: An Overview

1. Types of Work Permits

Employer-Specific Permit

• Specifies conditions such as the employer’s name, length of employment, and work location.
• Requires a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment or offer of employment from the employer

Open Work Permit

• Allows individuals to work for any employer in Canada.
• It was only issued in specific circumstances.

1. Permit Exemptions

• Some businesses are exempt from this license requirement.

III. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

• Created to help Canadian employers recruit foreign workers to address labor market shortages.
• Made up of four streams:
• High-skilled workers
• Low-skilled workers
• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
• Live-In Caregiver Program
• Foreign workers must have an approved job offer and a permit before coming to Canada.
• Through the LMIA process, IRCC works with ESDC to ensure that foreign workers do not take jobs that Canadians or permanent residents could do.

Opportunities for Family Members to Work and Study in Canada: Requirements and Eligibility

If family members accompany the permit holder, those family members will also have the opportunity to work in Canada. However, it is essential to note that each family member must apply for a permit, but applications can be processed together for convenience.

A family member must obtain a permit to work in Canada. Without it, they cannot legally work in the country.

In some cases, spouses or common-law partners of the Canadian work permit holder may be eligible for an open Canada work permit, allowing them to work for any employer without needing a job offer. This kind of permit is usually given when the person traveling with the principal applicant can’t find a job in their field or if their job is in high demand in Canada.

If the children of the temporary foreign worker would like to study in Canada, they must apply for a study permit. A study permit allows them to attend school in Canada, but it does not allow them to work in the country. The study permit is a separate application process and must be obtained before the children arrive in Canada.

In summary, family members of a Canad work permit holder can work and study in Canada. Still, each member must submit their application and meet the requirements for the respective permit.