What Permits Are Available
Canada consistently ranks as one of the top worldwide locations for foreign nationals to work in. From housing some of the world’s biggest companies to offering attractive wages, it’s also the quality of life and excellent benefits that continues to lure new residents. Its cities are vibrant and multinational, its nature nearby and staggering—and boasting longer paid vacation and shorter work hours, it might not be a surprise that it ranks in the top 20 for the World Happiness Report.
For those seeking to move to Canada for work, the government offers an extensive option of work permits—very well over a hundred—but which ones you qualify for is really the crux of it. In this post, we’ll be breaking down the types of work permits for those interested in calling Canada their home. The two broadest categories for permits come down to whether a special assessment called the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required or not—which we will briefly explain, as well as how we at Cian Immigration can assist you to obtain one.
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What Is A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that is required for the majority of the work permits for Canada. Simply put, it shows that a foreign worker is needed for a job that no Canadian citizen or permanent residence can fill. By making sure that no foreign employees are taking the jobs of residents, Canada protects its people’s job opportunities, wages, and security. If an LMIA is needed for your specific work permit, it will be upon your employer to obtain this report before hiring you.
What Work Permits Don’t Require an LMIA
What Work Permits Don’t Require an LMIA
In most cases, an LMIA is needed if you want to work in Canada. However, for certain circumstances, this document won’t be required as it falls under the International Mobility Program (IMP)—a program brought to life to empower Canada’s economy, cultural richness, and social interests. The first group that is exempted from an LMIA are foreign nationals who can richly contribute to Canada’s culture—whether they are a recipient of a prestigious award, have outstanding social contributions, or are leaders in their academic field or in a renowned organization.
The second category of LMIA-exempt workers are entrepreneurs seeking to invest or start a business in Canada. Various immigration pathways allow enterprising individuals a streamlined way to work in Canada, but under specific stipulations. Their business must show that it will be of great economic benefit, that they will be at least its majority owner, and that the nature of their work won’t be permanent.
Other groups of individuals that won’t require an LMIA to work in Canada include: charitable and religious workers, foreign employees under international agreements and exchange programs, the dependents of foreign workers already in Canada, and those nominated by a province for permanent residence. One particularly noteworthy category of people that are LMIA-exempt is international students actively studying in Canada, which we’ll go into a little more detail below.
Working In Canada As An International Student
For those who have made Canada their home for their degree, master's, or doctorate, the government offers various pathways to work in Canada—both temporarily and permanently. As long as you have a valid study permit, a social insurance number, and have begun your full-time course, you’ll be able to work both on-campus and off-campus (for up to 20 hours a week) for the duration of your study—all without needing a work permit.
For international students who have completed their studies, they’ll still have the option to temporarily work in Canada but with a work permit. This Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows graduates from designated learning institutions to become temporary Canadian employees for anywhere from 9 months to 3 years—depending on the length of your completed study program.
What Work Permits Require An LMIA
For foreign workers who neither fall under the International Mobility Program nor aren’t/haven’t been international students, they will come under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Because an LMIA will be required, the process for applying for this program is much more complicated. From needing to prove that other Canadian employees were unable to fill the job role to assessing whether your job will in turn create opportunities for citizens and residents, a long analysis will be carried out on the employment offer made to you.
But ultimately, LMIA-requiring work permits are split into two immigration streams—those for high-skilled workers and low-skilled workers. Within each stream, a further division is for whether you’ll be considered a high-wage worker or a low-wage worker.
Do you have any question? We will be happy to hear from you.