Work Visa

Canada’s strong economy provides many opportunities for qualified workers to advance their careers. Foreign workers may also be able to bring their family members, and after gaining Canadian experience, become qualified for permanent residence. A Canadian work permit is a document that allows you to live and work within Canada when you are from a foreign country. In Canadian immigration terms, the definition of work is defined as jobs done for which wages are paid. In most cases, to work in Canada, the foreign national needs a work permit to work legally in Canada. A work permit is always temporary in nature but can be extended from inside Canada. It is also seen as a possible way of becoming a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.

Types of Canadian Work Permits

• Post-Graduate Work Permit: The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. The PGWP is issued once, for up to three years. Skilled Canadian work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B that is gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class within Express Entry.
• LMIA-Based Work Permits: In order to hire a temporary foreign worker, for almost all Canadian work permits a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required. Typically, it is a 2 step process to receive a Canadian Work Permit which involves foreign workers and employers. The first step is taken by the applicant and is done by submitting an application to ESDC for a Labor Market Impact Assessment. The second step is taken by sending an application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the actual work permit. After considering several protective labor market factors, the ESDC gives authorization to the Canadian employer for hiring a foreign worker.
• Spouse Open Work Permit: A Work Permit allow individuals to work for any employer without any conditions. Under this program, the spouse (international student) must be studying full-time at a Designated Learning Institution DLI or the skilled worker must be working under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type O, A, or B.
• Work Permit Extension: If your current work permit is expiring you will need to apply for an extension of your current work permit, which should be done within 30 days. You cant extend your work permit beyond the expiry date of your passport. You must have applied for PR, have your present work permit expiring in the next 4 months or less, have a valid status on your work permit, and currently be in Canada to apply for a bridging open work permit.