Minimum requirements for obtaining a study permit
If your study programme in Canada is less than 6 months, you do not need a study permit.
Canada is one of the most popular destinations for people wishing to work abroad. The work visa allows permanent, temporary or student workers to work in Canada. Applicants must have a formal job offer to apply for a work visa.
Work permit alternatives
There are many work permit options. Here are some of the most common ones:
Part-time in conjunction with a study programme study programme:
While studying a post-secondary programme at a qualified institution for at least 6 months, you can work up to 20 hours per week.
In Co-Op after completing a study programme
The Co-Op is offered as part of some study programmes and allows the student to enter the labour market and gain experience in the field of study. During this time the student can work full-time, up to 40 hours per week.
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) postgraduate studies (PGWP)
After completing a qualifying post-secondary programme of study lasting at least 8 months (this includes bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees), you may qualify for a Postgraduate Work Permit (PGWP) that allows you to work for a minimum of the same duration as your programme of study, with a maximum term of up to three years.
Accompanying spouse of a highereducation student
If you accompany your spouse or common-law partner during their period of post-secondary study in Canada (provided the student is enrolled in a qualified post-secondary study programme of at least 8 months duration), you may qualify for an unrestricted work permit for the same length of time as your spouse or common-law partner's period of study.
Working Holiday Visa - programmes for young professionals
The Working Holiday Visa is an open and unrestricted work permit, generally valid for a minimum of 1 year.
The requirements include, among others, being a citizen of a country participating in one of the international agreements with Canada, being between 18 and 35 years old, having medical insurance for the period of your stay and passing the established security filters.
The list of participating countries is extensive, but includes Chile, Costa Rica, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and many European countries.
Work visa for Free Trade Agreements Free Trade Agreements
Canada has agreements with some countries that allow citizens with certain professional or technical profiles to obtain a work permit. This includes, among others, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Panama, the United States, Australia, and Japan.
The requirements vary according to the country and the professional and technical profile.
Intra- Company Transferee(InternalTransferee)
If you are offered a job offer in a managerial position you may qualify for a specific work permit.
LMIA or Labour Marked Impact Assessment (LMIA)
When a Canadian employer wishes to hire a foreign worker, it must conduct a labour market impact assessment and demonstrate that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to do the job.
Once LMIA approval and a job offer is obtained, the foreign worker may apply for a work permit which is generally valid for 2 years.
Global Talent Stream
Alternatively, Canadian employers wishing to hire foreign workers in the technology sector can apply for an LMIA through the Global Talent Stream programme.
Unlike the regular LMIA, the Global Talent Stream does not require proof that there is no Canadian or permanent resident available to do the job. However, it does involve a negotiation on how the hiring company could contribute to the Canadian labour market. These applications are processed in 15 days, much less time than the regular LMIA.
The worker will be able to apply for a work permit, once he/she has the LMIA approval letter and the job offer. The work permit will be specific (for the employer only) and usually has a duration of 2 years.
Nomination in provincial programmes
Almost all provinces and territories in Canada have some kind of employer-driven programme. If you receive an employer nomination you may qualify for a work permit, issued for 1 or 2 years.
Pilot programmes
There are several pilot programmes that allow employers to bring foreign workers to Canada to meet specific needs. These include the Rural North Pilot Program that involves rural communities across Canada or specific areas, such as the Agri-Food Pilot Program. These programmes are mostly employer-driven that allow qualified applicants to apply for a work permit in Canada and, in most cases, also to apply for permanent residence. By receiving an employer endorsement, you may qualify for a specific work permit, issued for 1 or 2 years, depending on the programme applied for.
On receiving a job offer to look after children or elderly people
If you meet the education, language and experience requirements for a job offer as a home care assistant (usually to care for the elderly or people with special needs) or as an in-home child care provider (commonly known as a nanny, to care for children), you may qualify for a work permit in Canada.
After being sponsored by your Canadian spouse or common-law partner through the spouse or common-law partner sponsorship programme in Canada
If you have a valid status in Canada as a visitor, student or worker and you submit an application under the spouse or cohabitant sponsorship program, then you qualify for an open/unrestricted work permit for the processing time of your application, generally issued for 1 year.
Eligibility for work permit
There are specific requirements you must meet depending on the type of work permit you are applying for.
In addition to the specific requirements, all applicants must meet the following general requirements:
- Have a valid passport longer than 6 months
- No criminal or immigration-related convictions.
- Convince an immigration officer of the strong links to your country of origin.
- Convince an immigration officer that you will return to your home country once your work permit has expired;
- Pass a medical examination, if applicable according to your country of residence or desired occupation;
- Do not work for an employer listed with "ineligible" status;
- Do not work in businesses related to striptease, lap dancing, escort services or erotic massages.
How to apply for a work permit?
To start the application for a Canadian work permit, there are several forms and steps to follow:
- Confirming your eligibility for a work permit
- Completing the necessary documents and forms for an application for an authorisation to use the
- Submit an application for a Canadian work permit, in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Work Permit Authority.
- Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information, if the requests for information are
- Send your passport for stamping.
When submitting your immigration application within Canada through one of the more than 80 immigration programs available available;
If you qualified for immigration through a programme within Canada, you may qualify for an unrestricted open work permit. In some cases, you will only qualify if you already hold a work permit that expires in 4 months or less. This type of work permit is known as Bridging open work.
On receiving a job offer to look after children or elderly people
If you meet the education, language and experience requirements for a job offer as a home care assistant (usually to care for the elderly or people with special needs) or as an in-home child care provider (commonly known as a nanny, to care for children), you may qualify for a work permit in Canada.
How long will my work permit be valid for?
A temporary work permit can be issued for a period of time ranging from a few days to 3 years.
I have a work permit in Canada, can I work for any employer?
Unless you have an open work permit, you can only work for the employer who applied for your work permit. This is called a closed work permit. Therefore, you can only work for the employer specified on your permit.
If you have obtained a work permit but do not wish to work for your original employer and have found another job offer, you will have to go through the same process and obtain a new work permit.
new permit.
My work permit was previously refused, do I have to apply again?
If you have previously been refused a visa to Canada, you may apply again; however, if you apply with the same information, you may not get the result you are looking for.
If your application was rejected, contact us today to start your application process and apply again.
I have a job offer in Canada, what documents do I need for my employer?
To apply for a work permit, depending on the nature of the work, a LMIA may be required. Your employer must apply for an LMIA and obtain a positive decision before you can apply for a work permit. You will then submit this LMIA with your work permit application. You will also need a job offer letter or an employment contract signed by the applicant and their employer.
Can I extend my work permit?
Work permits are generally issued for a limited duration, usually valid for 1 to 3 years. If you wish to stay in Canada longer, you must apply to extend your stay. You may have to meet all the requirements for a new work permit again, as you did in your initial submission, in order to extend your stay in Canada as a worker.
We recommend that workers start planning for the extension at least 6 months before the expiry of their current work permit.
You must submit your extension request no later than 30 days before the expiry of your current status.