Work Permit/Visa
Who's Eligible?
Most individuals who are not a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident in Canada require a work permit to work in Canada. These individuals, called Temporary Foreign Workers, may eventually be able to apply for permanent residency later on. Certain work types, such as religious work, do not require a work permit.
To obtain a work permit, you must:
- Prove to an immigration officer that you will leave Canada once your work permit expires
- Demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to take care of yourself and your family during your stay, and to return home OR demonstrate a full-time Canadian job offer
- Not be a danger to Canada’s security, obey the law, and have no record of criminal activity
- Be in good health
- Not plan to work for an ineligible employer
- Supply any documents requested by an immigration officer
Applications with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which demonstrate you are fulfilling a labour shortage within Canada, significantly strengthens your profile and increases your chances of successfully obtaining a work permit.
Processing times for these applications can vary significantly, but you can obtain an estimate from the Government of Canada here. Some cases are more complex than others and need more time or information to process, especially if anything changes during your application, such as medical status, new dependants, or a marriage.
If you’re looking for more information on coming to Canada, you can schedule a professional consultation with one of our licensed consultants here. They’ll be able to provide you with all of the information you need to get your application started.
