Work Permits

Many workers are looking to Canada for valuable experience and work opportunities. As a temporary worker applicant, you will often need to secure a Temporary Resident Visa to come to Canada to work. You will also be required to receive a work permit or authorization to work in Canada without a permit.

Open work permits in Canada

An open work permit allows you to work at any job with for a qualified employer across Canada. Since it’s not job-specific, proof of an offer of employment a Labour Market Impact Assessment is not required.

People who are eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit, include:

• some temporary resident permit holders
• permanent residence applicants who’ve submitted an to a CIC office within Canada,
• spouses and common-law partners of some international students and workers
• the dependents of some permanent residence applicants
• refugees and claimants, protected persons and their families
• some young workers involved with special programs.

Employer-specific work permits

An employer-specific work permit allows you to at a specific job, for a specific employer and lists how long you may work and where you can work.

Whether you are applying inside or outside Canada, you are required to prove that you are eligible for a work permit. You must:

• prove you plan to leave Canada when your work permit expires
• show that you have sufficient funds for you and your dependents to travel and live during your stay in Canada
• obey the law and have a clean criminal record and possibly provide a police clearance certificate
• not be a threat to Canada’s security in any way
• be in good health and possibly undergo a medical exam
• work only for qualified employers
• provide any other documents required to enter Canada

There are 2 types of Temporary Work Permit:

• The Temporary Foreign Workers Program work permit is for a job seeker whose employment opportunity in Canada will fill a temporary labour and skill shortage
• International Mobility Program work permit is for jobs that are not necessarily in need of employees because of a temporary labour and skill shortage but are needed because of broader economic, cultural or competitive advantages in Canada or other advantages that will benefit Canadians and permanent residents

To receive a Temporary Work Permit, you must:

• Have an employment offer
• Prove that you have settlement funds
• Meet certain credentials for your employment
• Possibly meet Labour Market Impact Assessment requirements

The amount of time you can work in Canada as a temporary worker depends on:

• your job offer from your employer
• time limits for your job as listed on your Labour Market Impact Assessment if your employer was required to obtain one to hire you
• your passport’s expiry date

123Visa will help you submit a comprehensive application to bring you closer to being granted a permit, by ensuring every criterion is covered in detail.