How to apply for a Canadian work permit

Thanks to its welcoming immigration policies, Canada is one of the employment beacons for expats from around the world. But if you are looking for opportunities in the country, you will most probably need a Canadian work permit. In this article we talk about the difference between a work permit and visa for Canada, what documents you might need, and what the application process involves.

Work permit and visa for Canada: know the difference

Visa

As in many other countries, in Canada, a work permit and a visa are two different documents, even though they sometimes are issued simultaneously. While your visa indicates your status, such as studying or working in Canada, it does not give you the actual right to study or work there. The only purpose of a visa, which is a physical sticker in your passport, is to allow you to travel to and enter Canada. A visa application must be made in advance, through the Canadian Embassy or Visa Application Center (VAC). Even with a valid work permit in Canada, if your visa has expired, you must renew it to be eligible to cross the country’s borders for travel.

eTA

If you are visa-exempt but intend to travel to Canada by air, keep in mind that you must have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter the country. Unlike with a Canada visa application process, an eTA is applied to and issued online (usually within minutes); it is linked to your passport electronically and valid for up to five years or until your passport expires.

Work permit in Canada

A Canadian work permit is a separate document authorising you to work and stipulating your employment rights and obligations as well as the permitted duration of your stay in the country. At the same time, it does not give you the right to enter Canada.

To sum up, you need both a work permit and a visa for Canada if you are planning to legally come to and be employed in the country. You must apply for both documents before you travel to Canada. If, however, your country is visa exempt, in some cases you can obtain your work permit for Canada at the port of entry.

Keep in mind that the expiry dates of your Canada work permit and visa may differ. With a valid permit but expired visa you may still be legally working in Canada but will not be able to travel internationally.

Helpful: Tips for writing a Canadian CV and cover letter.

Types of work permits in Canada

There are two main types of a Canadian work permit:

• Open work permit
• Employer-specific work permit

Open work permit in Canada

This is a general right to work not linked to an employer. Examples of those eligible for this type of a Canadian work permit include (see more here):

• Some international students
• Applicants for permanent residence in Canada
• Temporary resident permit holders.

Employer-specific work permit in Canada

The most common type of the Canada working visa for international talent, this is an authorization to work for a particular employer for a specific amount of time and sometimes at a specific location.

You must have an employment contract to apply for this work permit in Canada. In addition, depending on the position, your employer might need to provide you with one of the following:

• a copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
• an offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt workers)

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Canada work visa: general requirements

The actions you need to take and documents to submit for a work permit in Canada will depend on many factors such as your nationality, occupation, whether you are planning to bring your family with you, and so on.

For example, live-in caregivers must undergo a medical examination as do nurses and doctors who also must be licensed or registered with a respective regulatory body in Canada.

Some work visa requirements, however, are universal. For example:

• You need to have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family while working in Canada (and if you also have family back home, check how easy it is to send them money via Profee here).
• You must be a law-abiding individual and have no record of criminal activity.
• You must be in good health.
• You should not engage in employment with ineligible employers (check here if your employer is ineligible to hire foreign workers).
• You must be able to provide any additional documents needed for your Canada working visa application.

Preparing to apply for work permit in Canada

To maximise your chances of a successful application for a work permit visa for Canada, be thorough and start your preparation as early as possible. Unless you are entitled to an open work permit in Canada, communicate with your future employer and ensure they provide you with all the necessary documents.

Some general tips:

• Get all your documents translated into English or French by a certified translator.
• Leave yourself plenty of time. For example, the estimated processing time for Canadian work permit applicants from Kenya or Pakistan is almost 3 months.
• Check if in your case additional actions and/or documents are mandatory. Say, if you are required to undergo a medical examination for your work permit in Canada, that can be done in advance.
• You might need some documents from your home country for your Canada visa application, such as a police clearance certificate. Find out what those are, obtain them from the respective authorities, and get them translated if needed.

Canadian work permit: how to apply

With very few exceptions, all types of work permits in Canada require an online application. If you have done your homework, the process is straightforward. Here are the main steps:

1. Gather all the required documents including valid proofs of identity, employment, and family status. Use a document checklist here to make sure you have everything you need.
2. Fill out all the necessary forms.
3. Pay the fees. You can find the list of fees for various work permits in Canada here, and some examples are provided in the table below. If you need to submit your biometric data, make sure you also pay the biometric fees together with your application fees. Remember that the amounts can change at any time.
4. Submit your application electronically. You will need to create a secure account with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to run your application.

Canada working visa fees

After you have applied, you can monitor the status of your application through a dedicated tracker. Note that you will need to create a separate account to use it.

Staying in touch with you family

We hope that the information in this article will make your path to a dream job in Canada easier. We know how exciting it is to be starting a new life abroad. But we also know how important it is to stay connected to your loved ones back home, especially in times of need.

Whenever they require your financial support, use Profee to send them money instantly and with no extra effort but a couple of taps on your phone. As a licensed online money transfer service, Profee offers its customers secure instant remittances to more than 90 destinations worldwide at the comptetive rates and with little to no fees. Get the iOS/Android app or check the web converter to always be there for your loved ones.

FAQ: Getting a Canada working visa

Can I get a Canadian work permit without a job offer?

You can get a so-called open work permit if you belong to one of the specific categories such as international students or applicants for permanent residence. You can see the full list of eligible applicants here.

What is the fastest way to get a work permit in Canada?

Typically, procuring a Canada working visa takes several months. However, some occupations are prioritised and processed faster, within weeks. These include workers in essential services or highly skilled workers applying under the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) framework.

How much does it cost to apply for a work permit in Canada?

The fees start at CAD 155 per person and depend on the type of work permit in Canada you are applying for. Remember, however, that in addition to the work permit fee there might be additional charges such as the biometrics fee. Check the full list of immigration-related fees here.

What documents are required for a work permit in Canada?

This depends on many factors including your nationality, occupation, family status, and so on. There is a standard basic set of documents such as the application form, document checklist, and proofs of your identity and employment. You may also need to submit your registration with Canadian authorities, results of a medical exam, driving licence, and other documents.

Can I apply for a Canadian work permit online?

Yes, you can and in most cases you must. Select your country from the drop-down list here for a detailed guide.