How to Get a Canadian Work Permit

A Canadian work permit is necessary if a non-Canadian citizen wants to work in Canada. There are a few exceptions, in particular if you come into Canada as a business visitor, but as a general rule a work permit is required to work in all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. If you will be working in Quebec, it will most likely be mandatory for you to obtain a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) as well. A Canadian work permit, issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and usually good for up to one year, is a temporary residence permit. It does not lead to permanent resident status.

Things You'll Need

• Written job offer
• Work permit application
• Passport or birth certificate

Instructions

1. Acquire a job located in Canada. This includes offers from companies originating in Canada, foreign companies opening up a division in Canada, and non-Canadian businesses sending you to work on-site with a client in Canada. No work permit will be issued unless you have confirmed employment in Canada.

2. Make sure the job offer has all the specifics listed in writing, such as the title of the position, responsibilities, salary, length of employment and location of the employer. Other details and supporting documentation may be required, depending on the particular category of the work permit.

3. Fill out a work permit application, which contains a guide and all the forms you will need. You will need the written job offer from your Canadian employer, proof that you meet all the job requirements such as relevant education and work experience, a passport or birth certificate, and a marriage certificate if you are married. You may also be required to submit a confirmed labor market opinion from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. A labor market opinion lets the employer know if the open position is eligible to be filled with a foreign worker.

4. Submit your completed application, accompanying documents and appropriate processing fee to the closest Canadian visa office in your country of legal residence. It is also possible to submit the application at a Canadian port of entry such as a border crossing or airport if you do not require a visitor visa.

5. Determine whether you need a temporary resident visa by searching an official Canadian government website such as cic.gc.ca or by contacting your regional Canadian visa office. Temporary resident visas are based on your country of citizenship. If you require a temporary resident visa and your work permit is approved, the visa will be issued simultaneously; you do not have to apply for it separately or pay an additional fee.

6. Get a medical exam from a licensed medical practitioner in your country of legal residence. This is necessary if you have lived in or visited a country determined to have a high health risk for six or more consecutive months in the past year; if you are seeking a work permit for a period of six months or more, or if you will be working directly with the Canadian public.

Tips & Warnings

• To minimize common delays, fill out the application completely and include all necessary documentation. Make sure all photocopies and documents are legible; notify the visa office immediately of any information changes; apply from your country of citizenship; and furnish certified English or French translations of documents where required.

• If you need to obtain a labor market opinion confirmation, it may take an additional 45 days to several months to get a work permit. If you need a medical exam, tack on another three months' delay time.

References

• Canada Work Permit
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada