How to Get a Canadian Work Permit in 2024?
Working and living in Canada, which has a very high level of welfare and a developed economy, is the goal of many world citizens. The Canadian work permit allows individuals to work and reside in Canada for the given period.
Canada, which aims to close the labor gap in many sectors, offers job opportunities and work opportunities to individuals from all over the world. Foreign citizens who want to have a Canadian work permit must first conduct a job search, make an agreement with an employer in Canada and receive a job offer.
Who Can Apply for a Work Permit in Canada?
There are certain criteria that individuals must meet in order to apply for a work permit in Canada. These criteria are listed below:
- Have the intention to leave the country when the permit expires
- Have funds or a salary offer to cover living expenses for the duration of residency in Canada
- Not having been convicted of any crime
- Not have taken any action that would threaten the security of Canada.
- Not having a health problem that prevents working
All applicants who want to work in Canada must meet the above conditions. In addition, work permit application requirements may vary depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside Canada.
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Working Conditions in Canada
A Canadian work permit or a Canadian work visa is granted to individuals from overseas who wish to work in Canada for a specific period of time. Work permits vary depending on the criteria for the job for which individuals are applying in Canada. Canadian employment permits are generally divided into employer-specific and open work permits.
In order to gain the right to work, individuals must first sign up with an employer in Canada and then apply for a Canadian work visa. Employers in Canada must have a LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) document from ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada). This document allows Canadian employers to hire foreign skilled workers for occupations where there are shortages.
Canadian work permits are suitable for temporary workers, foreign nationals who have graduated from Canadian universities, business people, etc. Any individual who intends to return to their country after the termination of their residence permit and work permit, who can cover all living expenses during the period of residence in Canada, who does not have a criminal record, who does not have any health disabilities, and who does not plan to work in unsuitable jobs is eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit.
The open work permit provided by the Government of Canada to individuals does not require individuals to apply for any specific profession. An agreement can be signed with any employer in Canada. Therefore, there is no requirement to sign an agreement with an employer who has a LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) document for open work permit applications.
Employer-specific work permit, as the name suggests, is a work permit that must be obtained when applying for certain special jobs.
How to Get a Canadian Work Permit?
“How to get a work permit in Canada?” is the question most wondered by Foreign citizens who want to go to the country for work purposes. Individuals who will apply for a work permit must first decide which work permit they will apply for.
Individuals who will apply for a Canadian work permit and immigration are evaluated by taking into account many factors such as work experience, university education, language levels, and age criteria. The application requirements for both work permits are explained below:
Employer-Specific Work Permit Applications
Individuals can only have the opportunity to work according to the conditions available in certain jobs with an employer-specific work permit application. Below is a list of some of the sectors and professions that can be applied for under this work permit.
- Film and Television Production Workers:
Applicants who work in the film or television industry and need to continue their work in Canada must gather the necessary paperwork and apply for an employer-specific work permit. - Academic Staff:
Teaching staff, research assistants, graduate or postdoctoral fellows must apply for an employer-specific work permit to travel to Canada for various award ceremonies or training. - Repair or Maintenance Workers for Industrial or Commercial Materials
- Religious Workers and Charitable Workers
- Professional Athletes or Coaches
- Dancers, Actors and Musicians
- Entrepreneurs
- Interns
Individuals who wish to travel to Canada with an employer-specific work permit and change jobs must apply for an open work permit in Canada. Employer-specific work permits are only issued for certain jobs.
Open Work Permit Applications
Individuals who travel to Canada with an open work permit have the right to work in any job they want in Canada. Individuals cannot perform only those prohibited jobs that the Canadian Government has determined. The jobs that individuals cannot perform in Canada with a work permit are:
- Jobs found with the status of “not suitable” on the list of employers who do not comply with the conditions
- Jobs offering striptease, erotic dancing and massage services
For all job applications, except for those that are not covered by an employer-specific work permit, individuals must apply for an open work permit. Before applying for a Canadian work permit and a work permit, it is necessary to have an agreement with an employer in Canada.
Before applying for a work permit, individuals must learn about the job they will do in Canada and the nature of the job. In addition, individuals must prove their work experience and suitability for work in Canada with the necessary documents during the visa application.
After making sure that individuals meet all the requirements for a Canadian work permit application, they must complete an online application. After completing the online application form and paying the application fee, individuals must make an appointment at the nearest application center. Individuals who are at the application center on the appointment day and date must submit the necessary documents and biometric data.
All Canadian work permits have a time limit. In order to work permanently in Canada, individuals must obtain indefinite residency. Otherwise, applicants must leave the country when their work permits expire. Canadian immigration offers priority for 38 occupations.
People who do not plan to return to Home Country and want to continue their lives in Canada permanently can obtain both a job and a PR card through this immigration program.
The longest work permit legally issued by the Canadian Government for foreign citizens is 48 months, or 4 years. Employees who cannot obtain indefinite residence after a maximum of 4 years of work must leave the country. In addition, individuals who leave the country in this way will be required to remain outside the country for at least 4 years.
ocuments Required for Canada Work Permit
The documents required for a Canadian work permit vary depending on the applicant’s profession, work experience and current individual conditions. The applicant is evaluated based on the documents declared. Therefore, the documents included in the application file must be complete and accurate.
Individuals must avoid making false statements or deliberately submitting false documents, as they may be denied entry to Canada with any type of visa.
In addition to the documents required for the standard Canadian visa application , other documents required for a Canadian work visa are listed below;
- Documents containing a job offer, invitation letter and company information from a company in Canada
- Documentary evidence that all living expenses can be covered during the period of residence.
- Documents proving that he has ties to Home Country and will return to Home country after his work is completed.
- Certified translations of documents that are not in English or French
In addition, individuals who will apply for a Canadian Work Permit must prove and support their situation with some additional documents. It is important to have the following documents in your file in order for your work permit application to be approved.
- A letterhead job offer or contract from a Canadian employer. This contract must include the employer’s full contact information, the position and job details.
- The applicant must have a letterhead employment contract from their employer in their Home Country. If the applicant is not currently working, they must have a contract from their last employer. This document must also include the position and duration of the individual’s employment and detailed job information.
- For individuals applying as freelancers, documents such as income declaration, chamber of commerce registration, registry gazette copy, tax plate, business activity documents must be included in the file.
- If available, an LMO (LABOUR Market Opinion) document sent by a Canadian employer.
- If an application is made for a job that is exempt from LMO, it is very important to provide evidence that this job is exempt.
- Diplomas and documents from all educational institutions where the applicant received education after high school
- Last 6 months bank statements
- Real estate, property and all earning documents must be included in the application files of the individuals. The required documents booklet for the Canadian work permit can be downloaded from here.
Is it possible to work in Canada without a Canadian work permit?
It is not possible to work legally in Canada without a Canadian work permit. If someone is found to be working illegally in Canada, various penalties are imposed on both the employer and the employee.
Individuals found to be working in the country without a work permit will be deported. Individuals with a Canadian work visa must return after working in the country for the duration of their visa and permit.
What are the Work Permit Requirements in Canada?
In order to apply for a Canadian work permit, individuals must first prove that they have sufficient experience for the job they are applying for. Applicants are offered work opportunities in sectors where Canada has a labor shortage, based on criteria such as educational background, work experience, and age.
An individual applying for a Canadian work permit must not have a criminal record or have a history that could endanger Canada’s security.
How to Get a Residence and Work Permit in Canada?
In order to obtain a Canadian residence permit, it is necessary to first enter the country with any type of visa and then apply to the immigration office for a residence permit card (PR Card).
Other Country citizens who plan to settle in Canada as immigrants can apply for a residence permit by participating in the qualified immigration program. Having a job offer from these people earns extra points in the Canadian immigration score calculation . With this process, people who start working in Canada can obtain Canadian citizenship after 5 years.
Other Country citizens who go to Canada only to work and plan to return when their work period is over do not need to apply for immigration status. Individuals also have a residence permit in Canada for the duration of their contract. In order to apply for a work permit, individuals only need to have an agreement with an employer in Canada and receive a job offer.
In order to make a private job offer, an employer in Canada must have a LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) from ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada).
With this document, Canadian employers can employ foreign skilled workers for occupations where there are labour shortages.
Individuals who receive a job offer from Canada must first start the application process by filling out the online application form. Then, the Canadian work visa fee is paid and applicants make an appointment at the nearest visa application center.
Individuals must be present at this center in person on the appointment day and time, submit their required documents and provide their biometric data. After submitting the required documents, individuals will have completed their work permit application process.
Does Canada Provide Work Permits for Students?
International students studying for an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree in Canada are granted a 20-hour work permit per week for the duration of their studies.
Students also have the opportunity to work full time during the holidays. However, in order to continue working in the country after the end of their studies, they must first apply for a work permit.
What is a Canadian Open Work Permit?
The Canadian open work permit is essentially a general work permit. Open work permits do not have to specify a specific job or employer. Individuals are entitled to apply for any job.
Open work permits allow applicants to work with any Canadian employer in almost any capacity. Open Work Permits do not require applicants to have an offer of employment or a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Will Everyone Who Receives a Job Offer in Canada Be Granted a Canadian Work Permit?
Receiving a job offer from Canada is a necessary step in applying for a work permit. However, having a job offer does not 100% guarantee that a work permit will be granted.
The Government of Canada evaluates the applications meticulously and determines the outcome by making an assessment based on the compatibility of the individuals with the job they are applying for, their experience, age and language skills.
The application process also takes into consideration the applicants’ ability to do business in Canada and how much they can contribute to the Canadian economy.
Does Canada Offer Work Opportunities for other Country Citizens?
Canada, known as an immigration country, offers work opportunities to all citizens of the world. Every Other Country citizen over the age of 18 who meets the necessary immigration and work conditions can apply to work in Canada.