Every year, the Canadian government issues 100,000 work permits to Temporary Foreign Workers to help businesses meet their skilled labour demands. In addition to these workers, other foreigners are allowed to work without a work permit. Depending on the type and scope of work, duration of employment, country of citizenship and other factors of the foreign worker, different rules and requirements apply.
There are two types of permits; Open Work Permit and Employer-Specific work permits.
Open work permits. This permit gives you the freedom to work with almost any employer. There are certain restrictions for the companies and the programs. To get an open work permit, you fit under one of the following categories:
Have a valid study permit leading towards a certificate, diploma, or degree
Graduated from a university program at a Canadian university, community college, CÉGEP or any other school eligible designated learning institution (DLI) in the Canada
Being a permanent resident or spouse, common-law partner of a Permanent Resident or Citizen of Canada
Spouse or common-law partners of an international student or skilled worker
Refugee, a refugee claimant, protected persons and their families
Young worker (typically 18 - 35 years of age) participating in a particular program such as International Experience Canada (IEC)
Employers-Specific work permits. This permit allows you to work under the conditions specified in the permit, such as the company, period of employment, wage and location. In most cases, to work in Canada, the foreign worker will need a work permit. However, there are some circumstances where you can work in Canada without a work permit and without undergoing the traditional work permit application process, some examples of these programs are;
International Agreements. Canada has several agreements in which it allows the entry of foreign workers without the need for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) which is a document that a Canadian employer needs to obtain before hiring a foreign worker. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada-Chile FTA, Canada-Peru FTA, Canada-Columbia FTA are examples of these agreements.
International Exchange Programs. Through these programs, Canada provides the opportunity for international youth to come to Canada study and or work.
Dependents of Foreign Workers. Spouses and children of foreign workers who have a valid permit for a qualified skilled job.
French Mobility or Mobilité Francophone. Provides Canadian employers with a faster process for hiring foreign nationals LMIA exempt. This program has additional advantages over others programs' requirements like nationality or age. That determines any french speak foreign citizens over 18 years old may be able to work in Canada (any province other than Quebec) under this program.
Post-Graduation Work Permits. This permit allows student who have graduated from Canadian Designated Learning institutions work without a LMIA.
Academics. Anyone who comes to Canada with the objective of research, guest lectures, and visiting professors.
At Frontera, we can guide you to which program is most suitable for you. Contact us here.
If you are looking to find a job, there are different ways to obtain one, such as:
Research companies where you want to work by:
Checking their website for jobs they post
Contact employers directly to ask if they are hiring
Go to job fairs in your city or town, where you can meet employers and discuss jobs
Browse job search websites and newspapers classified sections to see who is hiring
Job Bank has up to 2,000 new jobs posted every day
jobs.gc.ca has job postings for federal public service
DevoCanada.net has job postings specific to hiring foreign workers
Use an employment agency that searches for jobs for you
Call or visit a Service Canada Centre near you for lists of government employment services and training help
Ask family and friends if they know about open jobs
Many jobs are not advertised
Some jobs you will only learn of through word of mouth