Canada welcomes newcomers and provides them with many opportunities. Her employment levels are driven by economic conditions, labour market needs, and changes in governmental policies. Working in Canada is desirable to many young and experienced foreign national professionals as Canada mandates a healthy working environment that improves workers’ everyday lives.
Canadian workers enjoy excellent minimum wages, overtime pay, workplace safety standards, maternity and parental leave, vacation pay, and protection from discrimination and harassment regardless of the position level. In addition, Canada’s labour system offers foreign workers generous perks and benefits—all of which contribute to her reputation for providing an excellent standard of living and quality of life for her workers.
Canada is always seeking skilled people, including recent graduates, to contribute to its economy. There are several immigration options for skilled foreign workers to apply for permanent immigration. Canada welcomes blue and white-collar workers from all walks of life.
However, occupations in healthcare, information technology, engineering, academia, skilled trades (e.g., welders, drivers, cooks), farming, finance, and marketing management are usually in the highest demand. Pursuing a successful career in Canada in such professions is a reality for many motivated individuals.
In addition, there are opportunities for qualified foreign-trained skilled and semi-skilled workers because of Canada’s dominance in the service industry, manufacturing, and abundant natural resource sector.
Federal and provincial governments encourage employers to seek foreign workers to fill labour and skills shortages. Moreso, they facilitate smooth transitions for all legally admitted foreigners through the Settlement and Migrant Worker Support Network Programs.
There are opportunities to achieve permanent residence in Canada for skilled foreign temporary workers selected through the Express Entry system and those hired in information communication technology, academics, agriculture, and caregiving occupations. Foreign nationals wishing to join the Canadian workforce can do so via several routes depending on their vocation and experience.
A work permit is the authorization document given to a foreign national by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allowing them to work in Canada. There are two types of work permits—open and employer-specific. The type of permit one needs depends on many factors, such as the type of job and whether it requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In addition, the document may bear other conditions which the holder must meet. Typical conditions include the type of work the permit holder can do, where and how long one can work, or an employer’s name. Though some circumstances may make a foreign national eligible to apply for a permit at the border, it is advisable to apply for a work permit before arriving in Canada. Regardless of the type of work permit one holds, it is noteworthy that it affords one a temporary residence status; therefore, the holder must leave Canada at the end of an authorized work period. One may apply for an extension of a work permit while it is still valid.
An open work permit allows the holder to work for any employer in any position or industry. An applicant for this class of permit does not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). They do not need their employer to submit an offer of employment to ESDC.
The spouses of international students, skilled workers, and anyone residing in Canada who has submitted a permanent residence application under the economic class can be issued an open work permit.
Click here to learn more about who can apply for an open work permit.
As the name implies, it restricts the permit holder to work for a named employer, at a specific location, and for a particular duration of time. The applicant requires an LMIA or an offer of employment to apply. The permit is popular among short-term or seasonal workers who depend on Canadian companies that use foreign labour in farms for harvesting and other related tasks. The spouses of the holder of an employer-specific work permit are eligible to receive an open work permit valid for the same length of time as their spouse’s.
There are several options for those seeking short-term employment in Canada. We can help you choose the best path and facilitate your entry to Canada.
Current Programs Include:
Check this link for more information about the program and eligibility The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Elboniel Consultants can provide further information on the programs and guide employers and prospective applicants throughout the process. Our consultants will assist with your application for open work and employer-specific permits, as well as the special provincial and federal initiatives and pilot projects for foreign workers in lower-skilled occupations, caregivers, and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
Contact us to learn the details of how we can help you.
Canada wants international students to stay and contribute to its economy after graduation from designated Canadian post-secondary educational institutions. Therefore, international students are often eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that offers an applicant a three-year open work permit. The permit allows the recipient to work for any Canadian employer in any job sector. In addition, a recent change in program policy allows international students who completed studies outside Canada to qualify for PGWP. Canadian education and work experience often precede the pathway to permanent residence. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship recently told international students and graduates that “We don’t just want you to study here; we want you to stay here.” One must enroll in a PGWP-eligible program to receive the work permit at the end of their studies. It is important to know that not all designated learning institutions offer programs that make you eligible for PGWP.
Eligibility Requirements :
As you approach graduation, feel welcome to discuss how Elboniel consultants can smoothen your way to obtaining a work permit if you wish to remain and work in Canada.
One fundamental fact about working in Canada is that the jobs are meant only for Canadians, permanent residents and people authorized to work with a work permit. However, the Canadian government recognizes that there are times when employers struggle to find the workers they need. Therefore, when none of the people in the class above are available for hire, the employer wishing to hire a temporary foreign worker (TFW) applies to Social Development Canada/Service Canada for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA is used to verify a need for a temporary foreign worker for the employer’s job posting where no Canadian worker is available. It also assesses how hiring the TFW will affect the Canadian labour market.
Though an employer can hire high-wage or low-wage workers, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and the Agricultural Stream under this program say that 40% of employers cannot fill the positions.
In deciding if an applicant qualifies to work in Canada without a permit, immigration officers assess if the activity the person plans to be involved in will earn wages or if the activity competes with occupations that Canadian citizens or permanent residents participate in.
If your occupation falls in one of the following job categories, you may seek work in Canada without a work permit:
For more information, see: Authorization to work without a work permit
Elboniel consultants can help you determine if you meet the eligibility requirements to work in Canada without a permit.