CANSOLVE :: Effective Immigration Solutions Work Permits

Working in Canada

Work Permit

Every year over 90,000 foreign workers enter Canada working temporarily to help Canadian employers address skill shortages in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) ensure that these workers will support economic growth in Canada and create more opportunities for all Canadian job seekers. In almost all cases you must have a valid work permit to work in Canada.

1. Applying for a Work Permit from outside Canada

To apply for a work permit from outside Canada, you must have the following documents:

A job offer from a Canadian employer;
A completed application that shows that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and
A positive written Labour Market Opinion confirmation from HRSDC that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job.

In addition, foreign workers applying for a Work Permit must also meet the following conditions:

Satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your Work Permit;
Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada;
Respect the law and have no criminal record;
Show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada, and
Be in good health. (You may have to have a medical examination.)

You cannot immigrate to Canada on a Work Permit. If you would like to come and live in Canada as a Permanent Resident based on your work skills or experience, see if you qualify for the Skilled Worker Program.

3. Work as a Live-In Caregiver in Canada

Live-in Caregivers are individuals who are qualified to provide care for children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities in private homes without supervision. Live-in Caregivers must live in the private home where they work in Canada.

Both the employer and the employee must follow several steps to meet the requirements of the Live-in Caregiver Program.To work as a Live-in Caregiver in Canada, you must make an application to the Live-in Caregiver Program. If your application is successful, you will receive a Work Permit.

must also meet the following conditions:

Satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your Work Permit;
Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada;
Respect the law and have no criminal record;
Show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada, and
Be in good health. (You may have to have a medical examination.)

You cannot immigrate to Canada on a Work Permit. If you would like to come and live in Canada as a Permanent Resident based on your work skills or experience, see if you qualify for the Skilled Worker Program.

3. Work as a Live-In Caregiver in Canada

Live-in Caregivers are individuals who are qualified to provide care for children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities in private homes without supervision. Live-in Caregivers must live in the private home where they work in Canada.

Both the employer and the employee must follow several steps to meet the requirements of the Live-in Caregiver Program.To work as a Live-in Caregiver in Canada, you must make an application to the Live-in Caregiver Program. If your application is successful, you will receive a Work Permit.

2. Applying for a Work Permit from inside Canada

You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if:

You have a valid Study or Work Permit, or your spouse or parents have a Study or Work Permit;
You have a Work Permit for one job but want to apply for a Work Permit for a different job;
You have a Temporary Resident Permit that is valid for six months or more, or
You are in Canada because you have already applied for Permanent Residence from inside Canada.You willhave to pass certain stages in the main application process before you can be eligible for a Work Permit.

In addition, you will have to submit the following documents:

A job offer from a Canadian employer;
A completed application that shows that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and
A positive written Labour Market Opinion confirmation from HRSDC that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job.

You must also meet the following conditions:

Satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your Work Permit;
Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada;
Respect the law and have no criminal record;
Show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada, and
Be in good health. (You may have to have a medical examination.)