Canada Work Permit

As a foreign national aspiring to immigrate to Canada and work there, you need Canada work permit to do so otherwise no employer will risk employing you.

Canada work permit is a document that qualifies you to be gainfully employed and earn a living in Canada. Canada work permit is usually issued by Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TWFP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP).

While TFWP offers work permit to candidates whose employer provide a positive LMIA (LMIA shows that there is no available Canadian worker to fill the position hence the need for a foreign worker), IMP does not require LMIA.

IMP only requires the employer to submit an employment offer under the employment portal.

Types of Canada Work Permit

Canada work permits are of two types

Open work permit and
Employer- specific work permit

Open Work Permit

Open work permit allows for holder to work with any employer of their choice except in the following situation

If the employer is listed among the list of ineligible employers that failed to measure up to the conditions
If the employer offers erotic dance, striptease, erotic massage or escort services.

Employer-Specific Work Permit

This type of work permit as the name implies permits you to only work for a particular employer. This type of work permit allows you to work in Canada based on the conditions stated on your work permit. This includes the name of the employer, how long you can work for and sometimes the location where you can work.

When turning in your application for this type of work permit, the employer must give you an offer of employment number or a copy of LMIA to add to your application.

Who needs a Canadian Work Permit?

Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. The Canadian Government will allow a foreign worker work for the period of time in which the work permit is valid.

There are however some work situations where work permit is not a requirement, examples of such situations include

Working on campus as an international student
Business visitors
Clergy
Athletes
Aviation inspector
Military personnel
Emergency service provider
Public speakers
Referees or other similar officials
Some categories of farm workers
Convention organizers
News reporter and media team
Performing artistes
Foreign government officers

How long is Canada Work Permit Valid for?

Canada work permit are usually valid for 12-24 months. However, the validity period of work permit can be changed by a Canadian visa officer according to the date of expiry on the travel document or passport of the applicant.

A visa officer cannot issue a work permit that will be valid long after an applicants travel document has expired. Expired work permits can be renewed.

Requirement to Apply for Work Permit

Here is a list of documents you will need to provide when applying for a work permit in Canada.

A valid passport or travel document with at least 6 months validity remaining
Proof of funds (IEC visa applicants)
Two photos of yourself and photos of any accompanying family member
Evidence indicating that you meet the requirement of the job being offered
Marriage certificate, Birth certificate or any other proof of relationship between spouses, children or common law partners.

Additional documents may be required according to the Canadian work permit program you qualify for and your intent for applying.

If your work permit program has LMIA as a requirement, you will need a copy of your employment contract and an offer of employment ID number.

How to Apply for Canada Work Permit

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the application process have been shifted online. So, all you need to do is provide and submit all the documents required of you based on the program through which you are applying for.

After submission of your application, you may be invited for an interview with an immigration officer in your country of application and also provide a medical report although these are often not required.

Once your application has been submitted and has gotten to the stage where your biometrics are needed, you will be sent notification on where to get it done. There are fees attached to the application and biometric processes.

Once you successfully get an approval, you will get a confirmation letter that states that you are allowed to work in Canada and the conditions of your work permit. This however, is not your work permit, it will be issued to you on arrival to Canada.