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Apply to work in Canada, extend your work permit or hire a foreign worker.
A Work permit in Canada is required for most jobs in Canada. Most job positions and foreigners require an LMIA and a Work Permit, others only require a work permit, and some do not require a work permit at all.
Types of Work Permit
Open Work Permit
An Open Work Permit allows a foreign national to work in any job, without restriction. An LMIA or confirmed offer of employment is not needed to apply for an Open Work Permit.
Foreign spouses/common-law partners of temporary foreign workers, foreign students and Spouses/common-law partners being sponsored through the Inland Spousal/Common-law Sponsorship category are eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit.
Graduating international students are also eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
International Experience Canada (IEC) Candidates under the Working Holiday category are also eligible for an Open Work Permit.
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
The bridging open work permit (BOWP) is a way to keep a worker in Canada working while his or her application for permanent residence is being processed.
In-Canada applicants who have made an application to immigrate to Canada under either the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class, the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Class, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) may be considered for a bridging open work permit if their current work permit is due to expire (within four months). A foreign worker legally working in Canada who has made, or will soon make, an application for permanent residence under one of these immigration programs may then continue to work until a decision is made on his or her application for permanent residence.
International Experience Class (IEC)
The IEC is a program designed to bring younger adults and youth to Canada on a temporary basis to work for temporary periods
Citizens of countries with a bilateral youth mobility arrangement with Canada who are between 18 and 35 years old may be eligible for IEC work permits.
The IEC program is composed of three categories:
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op
Employer Specific Work Permits
In most cases, a Canadian employer wishing to hire a foreign worker must first receive government approval before the hiring can take place. This is to ensure that no qualified Canadians were passed up in favour of the foreign worker, and that the foreign worker will be given a salary and benefits that meet federal and provincial standards. The government approval comes in the form of a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Generally speaking, all Canadian employers must provide evidence that they have attempted to find qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill job positions before turning to foreign workers. In addition, employers may be inspected for compliance to government regulations after their employee has begun working in Canada.
Also If you need work permit extension or restoration of status, we are here to help. Please note that Post-Graduate Work Permit is not eligible for extension.