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Seizing Opportunity with OINP Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
The promise of a new chapter in a foreign land beckons, and for foreign workers skilled in sought-after fields, Ontario's welcoming...
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PATHWAYS TO WORK IN CANADA.
Canada offers various pathways for individuals who wish to work in Canada, which include the Federal Skilled Workers Program, the Provincial Nominee Program, and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. These programs provide opportunities for professionals to gain valuable work experience in Canada, potentially leading to permanent resident status.
On the other hand, Canada's Express Entry system fast-tracks the application process for skilled workers, making the country an attractive destination for global talent seeking career advancement opportunities.
However, before you can start working in Canada, you must first secure a work permit.
A work permit is a legal document issued by the Canadian government that grants permission to foreign nationals to work in Canada for a specific period. The type of work permit you need depends on the nature of your job and the terms of your employment.
If you’re unsure of how to begin your immigration journey, our team offers a consultation service where we can evaluate your unique circumstances and recommend the most suitable immigration options for you. Our focus on personalized solutions ensures that every client receives the highest level of service and support throughout their immigration journey.
PROGRAMS & PATHWAYS.
We offer guidance and assistance to eligible professionals from countries such as Australia, Japan, and New Zealand to apply for a work permit to work in Canada.
Under CUSMA, we assist eligible professionals from the United States and Mexico in obtaining a work permit to work in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Foreign nationals can work in Canada. However, they will need a permit to qualify for employment in Canada, though there are certain exceptions.
A typical prerequisite for a work permit application is having a job offer from a Canadian employer, which is backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Thus, there are a few special cases where foreign employees can request a work permit without an LMIA or even without a job offer. This might apply to someone who recently completed their education at a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI), or to someone whose spouse is already residing in Canada with a work or study permit.
Foreign nationals who have received a job offer from a Canadian employer and meet the eligibility requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can apply for a work permit.
To apply for a work permit in Canada, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. They:
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Must prove they will leave Canada when their work permit expires.
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Should have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members during their stay in Canada and for their return journey.
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Must obey the law and have no criminal record.
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Cannot be a threat to Canada's security.
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Must be in good health and may need to undergo a medical exam.
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Must not plan to work for an employer listed as "ineligible" on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions.
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Must not plan to work for an employer who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages.
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Must provide any additional documents requested by the officer to prove eligibility to enter the country.
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The application process for a work permit in Canada is nuanced and tailored to each applicant's specific circumstances.
This complexity marks the necessity for professional guidance, particularly from Recognized Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs). These certified professionals are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the intricacies of the immigration system.
Book a consultation with one of our RCICS!
Here is the list of required documents for a work permit application in Canada:
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Completed application forms: This is the initial requirement. Make sure to fill out all necessary forms accurately.
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Proof of status in Canada (if applicable): If you're already residing in Canada, you'll need to provide documentation proving your current status.
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Family member’s proof of status (if applicable): If your family members are also in Canada, their status proof is required.
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Labour Market Impact Assessment (if applicable): This document is needed if a Canadian employer is involved in your application.
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Written offer of employment (if applicable): A job offer letter from the Canadian employer is required if applicable.
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CV/ résumé: Provide your detailed work experience and educational background.
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Marriage certificate (if applicable): If you're married and your spouse is also applying your marriage certificate is needed.
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Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) (if applicable): If you're planning to work in Quebec, this certificate is a must.
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Proof that you meet the job requirements: You'll need to provide documents proving that you meet the requirements for the job you have been offered.
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A valid copy of your passport: A copy of your valid passport is needed for identification purposes.
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Copy of education credential: Proof of your educational qualifications, such as degrees or certificates, should be provided.
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Medical exam results (if requested): If asked, you'll need to undergo a medical examination and provide the results.
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Evidence of financial means to stay in Canada and return to your home country: You must prove that you have enough funds to sustain yourself in Canada and to return to your home country after your work permit expires.
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Proof of payment for applicable government fees: Proof that you've paid all required government fees for the application.
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Recent passport-sized photos: Provide recent photographs for identification purposes. Make sure they are taken with a white background and meet the specified size requirements.
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There are two main types of work permits: an open work permit, which allows you to work for any employer in Canada, and an employer-specific work permit, which only allows you to work for the employer specified on your permit.
An open work permit gives you the freedom to work for any company unless the employer has been marked as non-compliant or is involved in offering services like striptease, erotic dancing, escort services, or sensual massages. There are only certain circumstances where you can get an open work permit.
These types of work permits are not tied to a specific job, meaning your employer isn't required to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada or need to provide evidence that they've sent a job offer via the Employer Portal and paid the necessary fees.
An employer-specific work permit allows you to work according to the conditions on your work permit, which include the name of the employer you can work for, how long you can work, and the location where you can work.
Yes, receiving a job offer from a Canadian employer is one of the primary criteria for applying for a work permit. However, you will also need to meet other eligibility requirements. Find out through a Profile Eligibility Assessment.
Yes, your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be eligible to accompany you to Canada. They may need to apply for their own work permits or study permits.
The standard processing fee for a work permit is $155 CAD. However, if you are applying for an open work permit, an additional fee of $100 CAD is applicable.
Canadian work permits can be valid for 1 to 2 years. However, it varies. It can be issued for a period up to the length of your employment contract, or in the case of an open work permit, it could be valid for several years.
Processing times vary depending on the type of work permit and where you apply from. On average, it can take several weeks to several months. Find out here.
Yes, an individual can have two valid work permits at the same time.
Bear in mind, however, that the conditions outlined on each work permit must be duly complied with.
Should a new work permit be issued to you, it doesn't nullify the validity of the previous one. The preceding work permit continues to be valid until its expiry date or until it is superseded by the enforcement of a removal order, whichever occurs first. In summary, having multiple work permits is permissible, but the associated conditions on each have to be met diligently.
In most cases, you need a work permit to work in Canada.
However, there are some exceptions if you are a/an:
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Athlete or coach
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Aviation accident or incident investigator
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Business visitor
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Civil aviation inspector
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Clergy
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Convention organizer
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Crew member
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Emergency service provider
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Examiner and evaluator
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Expert witness or investigator
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Family member of foreign representative
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Foreign government officer or representative
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Health care student
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Judge, referee or similar official
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Military personnel
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News reporter or film and media crew
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Producer or staff member working on advertisements
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Performing artist
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Public speaker
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Short-term highly-skilled worker
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Short-term researcher
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Student working off-campus
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Student working on-campus
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You must submit your application for a work permit before your travel to Canada. This precautionary approach allows you to sort out any potential administrative or procedural issues before embarking on your journey.
There are specific eligibility criteria that permit application at a port of entry in Canada, so not all individuals will qualify for this option. If you're one of the few who are eligible, applying at a port of entry can be a suitable alternative.
However, remember that this should not be the default strategy for most people due to the potential for complications or refusal at the point of entry.
All in all, it is advisable to secure your work permit ahead of time to ensure a smooth transition towards your employment in Canada.
To submit your application at a port of entry (POE), you must fulfill a number of criteria:
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You are eligible for an electronic travel authorization or have the ability to travel visa-free
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You have met specific conditions based on the type of work permit you're applying for.
If you're applying for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must have successfully completed all necessary steps for your permit. Alternatively, if you're aiming for an open work permit, you need to confirm your eligibility for such a permit.
It may be mandatory for you to undergo a medical examination before you arrive in Canada, so be sure to check if this requirement applies to you.
Please note that if you are a part of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, you cannot apply for a work permit at a POE.
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Yes, you can apply for a work permit as a visitor in Canada, but only under certain circumstances. Find out here.
Individuals seeking to secure a work permit in Canada must have reached the minimum age of 18 at the time of application. This requirement ensures that all foreign workers are legally considered adults and capable of entering into employment contracts.
There is no set upper age limit for most work permit applications, providing flexibility for professionals at various stages in their careers to engage in employment within Canada's diverse industries. However, a notable exception applies to applicants under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
The main difference is that an open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, while an employer-specific work permit only allows you to work for the employer specified on your permit.
Yes, you can hold both a work permit and a study permit at the same time, provided you meet the requirements for both.
However, you must demonstrate to the officer that you can handle both studying and working at the same time.
When submitting your application, include a letter detailing your strategy to balance your work and study schedules. This letter should be uploaded in the 'Client information' section of your document checklist if you're applying online.
In certain cases, you may be able to study without a study permit. This is possible if:
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You have a valid work permit issued on or before June 7, 2023, or
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You received a letter authorizing you to work while your work permit application is being processed, also issued on or before June 7, 2023. This letter can be used while awaiting a decision on the extension of your work permit.
Furthermore, some key points to bear in mind about possessing two permits are:
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The work experience you accrue whilst holding a study permit is not counted towards the work experience prerequisites for most permanent residency programs. Be sure to check the requirements for your specific program before applying for permanent residency.
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If you intend to apply for a post-graduation work permit upon the conclusion of your studies, you'll need to satisfy the eligibility conditions. This includes maintaining full-time status throughout all semesters of your study program, even while working.
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The importance of early application for the extension of your work permit in Canada cannot be stressed enough. If you wish to prolong your stay as a worker, you should ideally initiate the extension process at least 30 days before the expiration of your current permit.
Yes, if your work permit is still valid, you can apply to extend it from inside Canada.
This can be a viable option if your employment scenario has changed - perhaps you've been offered a promotion or a new role, or your current job role requires you to stay longer than initially planned.
While your application for a work permit extension is pending, you can continue working under the conditions of your existing work permit, as long as you remain in Canada. This is known as “implied status.”
Yes, it is possible to apply to extend your work permit if it has expired, but this option is only available if your work permit expired fewer than 90 days ago.
During this process, you will also need to apply to extend your temporary resident status in Canada.
However, it's vitally important to remember that you are not allowed to work until your application has been approved and your status in Canada is officially restored.
Yes, if you've applied to extend your work permit before its expiry date, you are still considered to be on valid status and are authorized to keep working until IRCC completes reviewing your application.
However, you need to stay within Canada's borders and continue to adhere to the terms of your original work permit.
If you decide to exit Canada and then return while waiting for your work permit extension, three things may happen upon re-entry.
First, you might be admitted as a visitor if your work permit extension is still under review. In this situation, you're not allowed to work until the extension is granted. The official at the entry point may request proof that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself in Canada.
Second, you may return as a worker if it's determined that your work permit extension was approved while you were out of the country.
Lastly, you might have to apply for a new work permit at the point of entry. It's important to note that you'll also need to satisfy all other relevant entry requirements.
You have the option to change your status to a visitor, but remember, once your present permit for studying or working runs out, you won't have the ability to request a new one while still in Canada. This won't provide you with additional time to prolong your current permit.
Generally, visitors don't qualify to apply for a permit for work or study while in the country. If you convert your status to visitor, you might need to depart Canada to apply for a fresh permit for study or work.
Consequently, if you need extra time to apply for your permit, we strongly advise against switching your status to a visitor. Always be aware of your existing permit's expiry date and ensure you apply for an extension a minimum of 30 days ahead of this.
PROFILE ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT.
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OUR CORE SERVICES.
Immigration Strategy.
Our Strategy Consultation Services focus on developing an immigration strategy that's tailored to your unique goals and objectives. Our expert RCICs will guide you through the process, answering your questions and providing the support you need at every step of the way.
Application Preparation.
We are dedicated to providing bespoke assistance for your immigration application preparation. Our team of experts will collaborate with you to ensure all the necessary documentation and forms are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
Legal Representation.
As Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), we are your legal representatives throughout the process, we liaise with the government on your behalf. We ensure that your interests are protected at all times, and that all legal requirements are fulfilled.
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