Work Permit Canadian Work Permit

Work Permit

If it is your goal to work in Canada, you will need the proper authorization to do so, namely: a Work Permit. Every year, millions of people come to Canada to enjoy the benefits that Canada has to offer. If you are able to secure employment in Canada, you can be one of the many who gain worthwhile experience in the Canadian Labour Market. As well, this may open the doors to future permanent residence in Canada depending on the nature and duration of your occupation in Canada.

Qualifying for a Work Permit

If you wish to work in Canada and enter the Canadian labour market, you will require a Work Permit. In order to obtain a Work Permit, you will additionally and firstly require a Labour Market Opinion.

A Labour Market Opinion is typically required prior to obtaining any Work Permit and is a validation of the position being offered. Your prospective employer will obtain this through an application submitted to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and will receive either a positive or negative Labour Market Opinion.

You will then need to apply for a Work Permit and submit a positive Labour Market Opinion obtained through this process. The labour market opinion must be completed prior to your application for a work permit.

You will then receive an authorization letter when the Work Permit has been approved.

What Is A Labour Market Opinion?

Prior to obtaining a Work Permit, your employer may be required to obtain a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) before they can hire you as a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW).

An application for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) is submitted to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Service Canada. The Labour Market Opinion (LMO) confirms that there is no Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident who can do the job for which you are seeking employment.

The opinion also assesses any impact hiring a foreign worker may have on the Canadian Labour market. The Labour Market Opinion (LMO) is essentially an authorization to hire a Foreign Worker in Canada and assess the validity of the job being offered including the wages, hours of employment and the duration of the permit.

Labour Market Opinion – Employer Basics

If you are an Employer seeking to hire a foreign worker, the first step you will need to take is applying for a Labour Market Opinion. A Labour Marked Opinion is an assessment of the position being offered as well as your compliance with current work standards.

As the Employer, you will be making the application to the Temporary Foreign Worker Unit who will be making a decision on your Labour Market Opinion. The Unit will be assessing your application on:

What You will Need

Qualifying Factors

  • Whether the job offer is genuine
    • Your past compliance with employment and recruitment laws
    • Whether you can financially meet the terms of the job offer
    • Whether you are actively engaged in the business
    • Whether or not the job offer aligns with your current employment needs
  • Whether there is a need for the foreign worker in the local labour market
  • Whether the hiring of the foreign national will result in Canadians or Permanent Residents losing their jobs
  • Whether the employer has demonstrated that the employee will be paid in accordance with current wage rates for the geographical area

Demonstrating Recruitment Efforts

An essential part to receiving a positive labour market opinion relies on your employer’s recruitment efforts. These recruitment efforts allows employers to find qualified and enthusiastic candidates for vacant job opportunities All employers are encouraged to conduct ongoing recruitment efforts, including updating job postings.

A job posting is an announcement of an employment opportunity through a specific resource such as a newspaper, website or notice board. It is advantageous that we live in a digital world; therefore advertisements can be posting on the internet.

The employer must meet the minimum advertising requirements:

  1. Advertise on the National Job Bank, for a minimum period of four weeks. The posting must be active until the labour market opinion (LMO) is issued. As Canadian citizens and permanent residents are afforded greater rights, the postings allows for an advance search of employment before any opportunity can be presented to a foreign worker.
  2. In addition, the employer must use a minimum of two methods of recruitment, specifically one method among the print media (bulletin boards, newspapers) and employment websites (Craigslist, Workopolis). The advertisement must be posted for a minimum of four weeks.

A Work Permit allows a Foreign Worker to work in Canada for a designated employer; this is called a closed Work Permit. This means you will only be able to work for the employer that has been indicated on the Labour Market Opinion at the time of application.

In order to come to Canada as a worker, you will also need to satisfy an officer that you are a bona fide temporary resident, meaning:

  • You have strong ties to your home country and will not remain in Canada beyond your authorized period of stay;
  • You have enough funds to support yourself while you are in Canada;
  • Your purpose in Canada is that of a visitor;
  • You will exit Canada once your stay is over.

Further, simply because you have received a positive labour market opinion does not necessarily mean that you will automatically obtain your work permit. You will also need to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills, education and experience to fulfill your intended duties in Canada.

How We Can Help

Obtaining a work permit in Canada and the ability to earn a living in this great country is the goal of many hopeful. However, obtaining a work permit in Canada means that you have first found an employer in Canada who is willing to hire you and obtain a Labour Market Opinion first. This means that you will first need to find a prospective job before you can even attempt to apply for a work permit. Once you have found possible employment, your employer will need to apply for a Labour Market Opinion and you will need to apply for your work permit. As such, obtaining a work permit in Canada is a two stage process. We will help you with both.

We will assist you:

  • Draft the necessary forms;
  • Work with you and your employer to obtain the proper documentation;
  • Draft appropriate supporting documentation like a contract, employment offer letter, etc.;
  • Assist with demonstrating recruitment efforts which are essentially to any Labour Market Opinion;
  • Help demonstrate how you meet the conditions of a Temporary Resident;
  • Compile the strongest possible case as per your unique situation; and
  • Of course, be with you every step of the way.

For more information on the Labour Market Opinion and Work Permit, feel free to browse our vast collection of information on the subject or contact us directly at 1-877-622-8182 or 416 477 2570. You can also email at Info@ToImmigrate.com.

If you are studying in Canada and you also want to work, you may eligible for work on-campus or off-campus without a work permit. However, you have to meet the some specific requirements to off-campus or on-campus.

Off-campus work:

If you are studying in Canada, you may eligible to off-campus work without a work permit. It depends on your education program as well. If your study permit allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions which means you can work up to 20 hours while you are going to school, college, and university full-time.

You can also work full-time when you have full-time schedule breaks, such as winter break, and summer holidays or spring breaks.

In order to qualify for off-campus work you have to have following:

  • You have a valid study permit
  • You are a full-time student
  • You have to enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level or, in Quebec , a vocational program at the secondary level
  • You are studying in academic, vocational or professional training program that leads degree, diploma, and certificate that is at least six months in duration.

You do not need to have a work permit to work off-campus work. However, you need to apply for social insurance number. When you apply for social insurance number at service Canada, you may need to provide the confirmation to work off-campus document issued by Citizenship and Immigration of Canada (CIC). In order to obtain confirmation document you have to meet the requirements. Additionally, you must continue to meet the conditions of your study permit to remain eligible to work off-campus.

On-campus work:

You can also work on campus while you are studying and you do not need a work permit. In order to work on-campus you have to meet the requirements and those are:

  • You have a valid study permit
  • You are full time student at a public post-secondary institution such as college, university or in Quebec , private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulation such as public institution and receives at least 50 percent of its financing from its overall operations from government grants, or
  • Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degree

If you are working in Canada while you are an international student and if you do not meet the eligibility requirements in order to work, you may be subject to enforcement action under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

If you have a further question about off-campus work or on-campus work, please give us call or send us an email. We will definitely provide you information about whether you can work while you are studying or not.

What is a Work Permit?

This document allows you to legally work in Canada temporarily. You will still need your visitor visa to live and have as proof of residency in Canada. Not all jobs require you to get a Work Permit. Be sure to check that your employer is not on the ineligible employer’s list.

What do I need to apply for a Work Permit?

No matter where you apply you must:

  • have a job offer and have proof that you will leave Canada once your Work Permit expires
  • prove that you have enough finances to support yourself and family members during stay and to return home
  • abide by the law and have no record of criminal activity and not be a danger to Canada’s security
  • be in good health and be able to take medical exam if needed
  • not plan to work for an ineligible employer
  • not plan to work for an employer who offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic messages
  • not have worked in Canada for a total period time of four years
  • provide any other documents to prove you can enter the country

What I should know before applying

Your employer may need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to hire you as a foreign worker. If you are exempt from LMIA your employer must pay an employer compliance fee and submit an offer of employment form to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

If you are applying for an open Work Permit you do not need to submit documents from an employer. You free to work if your employer is not on the ineligible list.

You must meet the requirements to enter the country, stay in Canada, and get a Work Permit. The permit does not allow you to live in Canada permanently. Your spouse, common-law partner, and your dependent children can apply to come with you.

How to apply for a Work Permit:

You apply online or on paper. You normally have to apply for a Work Permit outside of Canada. There are times when you can apply as you enter Canada or from inside Canada.

  • Applying from outside you must have legal status in the country you live in.
  • Applying as you enter you can ask the Canadian port of entry for approval to work in Canada. No application form need here but you must still pay a processing fee and show the same required documents.
  • Applying inside apply online or mail your application to Case Processing Centre Vegreville, Alberta

What is a Post Grad Work Permit?

Once you have graduated from a post-secondary institution and wish to work in Canada, you need to be in possession of a Post Grad Work Permit in order to work within Canada. You can apply for a Post Grad Work Permit from the Post Grad Work Permit Program.

Can you apply for a Post Grad Work Permit Program?

You cannot apply for the program if:

  • You are part of a Commonwealth Scholarship Program or an Award Program that is fuelled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trades
  • You are part of a distance-learning program.
  • You have a previous post-grad work permit

Changes in Requirements For Receiving a Post Grad Work Permit:

In order to ensure that there is a lesser chance to misuse the Post Grad Work Permit Program and ensure that Canada’s reputation for having a high standard of education remains intact, changes were made to the program on June 1st, 2014. These changes are in the following areas:

  • Studying In Canada
  • You will have to be enrolled in a post-secondary institution and make progress towards completing your education otherwise; you may be kicked out of the program and will have to exist Canada.
  • The study permit will only be valid for 90 days after the program is completed (unless you applied before June 2014).
  • Ensuring that you study program is from a Designated Learning Institution
  • To apply for the study permit after June 2014, you will have to have a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institute for international student otherwise; you will not be granted the study permit.
  • If you applied for a permit before June 2014 but your institute is not designated for international students, there are exceptions that allow you to study and complete your program but not beyond June 2017.
  • Applying for a Study Permit after June 2014
  • You will need to write the designated learning institution number of your institution on your application form.
  • You will need to prove that you can pay for your studies and living expenses while in Canada.
  • You will need to prove that you will obey all laws and regulations while in Canada and may have to provide a background check.
  • You need to prove that you are in good health and will leave Canada when your study period ends.
  • Change in Institution
  • In the event you change your institution, it is up to you to ensure that your institution meets all the requirements set up within your study permit
  • Working Outside Campus
  • New changes allow that you can now work more easily outside campus than before.
  • Co-op Programing
  • Changes in the program mean that after June 2014, you may only join co-op if it is required for your program of study.
  • Applying from Canada
  • In certain cases, if you are visiting Canada and wish to study in Canada, you can apply for a study permit.

Confused? Need More Information?

We understand that going through this process can be tough, especially when you have little knowledge of the law. Studying is an important matter that determines your future and it can be very complicated and stressful to have to worry about ensuring that all your documents and work details are in order and therefore, having a professional guide you through the process a long the way can be very assuring. At Akrami & Associates, we have experienced immigration representatives that will guide you through the whole process and help you attain the result you desire.

Yes, you can stay in Canada after graduation so long as you maintain valid status. After graduating from a post-secondary institution in Canada you may wish to remain and work in Canada. You can do so by obtaining a post-graduation Work Permit. These Work Permits are issued through the Post Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWP) to foreign post-secondary students who wish to remain in Canada temporarily after their graduation to work in their field of study.

A Work Permit issued through the PGWP program is only valid for the length of study program, up to maximum three years. This Work Permit cannot be valid longer than student’s study program.

Further, in order to obtain Work Permit under PGWP program, the program of study has to be at least 8 months long.

For instance, if a student graduated from a four-year degree program, he or she can obtain an Work Permit for three years maximum.

If a student graduated from an eight month program, he or she will only an eight month Work Permit.

If you want to stay in Canada as a Permanent Resident after graduation, then there are many options available to you. You should contact us for more details and we would be happy to discuss these options with you.

Before you apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit, you need to know whether you are eligible for Work Permit or not. You have to meet requirements and those are:

  • You have to studied full-time in Canada and your study program minimum 8 months long;
  • You have graduated from an eligible post-secondary institution;
  • You must apply within 90 days after you have received confirmation that you have met the requirements of completing your academic program
  • You have completed and passed your program and received written official notice that you are now eligible to obtain your degree, diploma or certificate
  • You have to have valid study permit when you are applying for your Work Permit

You are not eligible for post-secondary Work Permit if:

  • If your study is less than six months
  • Participate in Canadian Commonwealth scholarship program funded by department of foreign affair trade and development Canada
  • If you participate in Government Canada award program
  • If you receiving funds from Canadian international development agency
  • If you participate equal opportunity scholarship- Canada-Chile
  • If you participate distance learning program either from abroad or in Canada
  • If you have previous post-Graduation Work Permit from any other study program

Those are basic requirements what make you eligible or not to qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. If you have further question or want more details about it, give us call and we can certainly assist you. With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!

What is a Post Graduate Work Permit?

A post graduate work permit is just the same as any other work permit. However, it is only given to students who have studied in Canada for at least 8 months. Through this program students are offered a chance to gain some work experience relating to their studies for up to 3 years. The post graduate work permit cannot be valid for longer than the students study period. Obtaining a post graduate work permit is extremely helpful because down the road the student may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class program.

Are You Eligible To Apply For The Post Graduate Work Permit?

In order to be eligible to apply for the post graduate work permit, you must have studied full-time in Canada and completed a program of study that lasted a minimum of eight months. The school that you have completed must be one of the following: public post-secondary institution (e.g. college, university, trades/technical school), a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, a private or public post-secondary institution (in Quebec) offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP), or a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees. You must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving a written confirmation (e.g. transcript) for your school stating that you have met the requirements for completing your program. You must have completed and passed your program and received a notification stating that you may obtain your certificate, diploma, or degree. Your study permit must be valid when applying for the work permit. You may be eligible to apply for a post graduate work permit if you have graduated from a vocational or professional training program at a private of public post secondary institution in Quebec, regulated by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport.

In order to qualify on this basis students must be 18 years old or older, have completed a full-time program that lasted 900 hours or more, and provide a supporting letter from your institution outlining the duration of your studies and the program code. All other requirements are the same as the previous ones.

If your program is less than 8 months long, then you will not be eligible for a work permit. If your program is more than 8 months, but less than 2 years; you as the student will be eligible for a work permit that is no longer than the time of their studies. If your program is 2 or more years in length, then you are eligible for a work permit up to 3 years.

Who Is Not Eligible To Apply For The Post Graduate Work Permit:

  • An individual who participated in a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD)
  • An individual who participated participate in a Government of Canada Awards Program funded by DFATD
  • An individual who received funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
  • An individual who participated in the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada-Chile
  • An individual who participated in the Canada-China Scholars Exchanges Program
  • An individual who participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program
  • An individual who participated in a distance learning program either from abroad or from within Canada
  • An individual who has previously been issued a Post-Graduation Work Permit following any other program of study.

All in all, this is how you would determine whether you are eligible or not for the post-graduate work permit. The post graduate work permit is an extremely helpful program. It offers students who come from abroad a chance to work and eventually live in Canada.

Contact us today so that we can get started!

More Articles ...

  1. Open Work Permits
  2. Post-Graduation Work Permit Requirements
  3. How do I get a work permit for Canada?
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