Most foreign nationals seeking work in Canada must obtain a temporary work visa; however, there are some exceptions.
Employers seeking to hire temporary foreign workers typically require an LMIA from IRCC as proof that hiring these temporary foreign workers will have positive labor market ramifications - this process can be time-consuming and cumbersome.
In-demand occupations
As a US citizen applying for permanent residency in Canada, you can work while your application is being processed - provided you obtain a temporary work visa and meet specific criteria such as having a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and being legally permitted to work in Canada. Furthermore, proof of income as well as sufficient financial resources should also be presented when applying.
Most foreign workers looking to work in Canada require a Canadian work permit from the government of Canada in order to legally engage in employment and receive payment. Sometimes the work permit may only cover specific employers and jobs.
Dependent upon the type of work permit, various documents will likely be needed in order to qualify. These could include employment reference letters, joining/resignation letters and pay stubs from previous jobs. You may also be required to submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), which compares your educational credentials against Canadian standards.
Head hunting services provide another method of employment in Canada. These services link job seekers to employers looking for foreign workers. Taking advantage of such a service could help you secure an opening in your field while simultaneously giving valuable insights into Canadian work markets.
Canada offers many in-demand careers for healthcare, teaching and business professionals alike. Many provincial licenses may be necessary in order to work legally here; other jobs may only be open to qualified individuals who possess an SIN number and can legally work.
An individual seeking employment in a regulated occupation typically must possess at least two years of postsecondary education or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate they possess all of the required skills and knowledge for the occupation they intend to undertake. Furthermore, a professional association will conduct an occupational assessment.
Open work permit
Are You Thinking About Working in Canada as a Foreigner? Before seeking legal authorization through a work permit application process, legal authorization must first be secured through legal channels. Work permits come in both closed (tied to one employer) and open versions, which do not entail being restricted by job description requirements. Before making your application it's essential that you understand their various categories and requirements thoroughly.
Closed work permits are the most frequently issued work permits and typically require a positive Labour Market Impact Analysis (LMIA), which proves there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available who can do the job you will be performing as well as what wages will be paid to you.
There are also open work permits that do not require an LMIA, which are available to employees of international companies transferring staff into Canada. They are limited to certain occupations and cannot be used for positions requiring lower education levels or skills levels; however, caregivers have access to open work permits without restrictions on where they may be employed.
Bridging open work permits are another type of open work permit available in Canada that allow individuals to work while their application for permanent residency is being reviewed. Please be aware that bridging open work permits may only remain valid for up to six months before being cancelled or modified accordingly.
Most individuals seeking a work permit are required to submit an LMIA with their application; however, exceptions exist if your occupation is one of the highly in-demand ones. Garson Immigration Law has helped many clients secure work permits and can advise you on what would be the most appropriate path forward in your situation.
This firm can assist with every stage of the application process, from identifying in-demand jobs to compiling and submitting all the required documents. They may even help facilitate an application for permanent residency if required.
LMIA-exempt occupations
There are certain occupations that do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), though you still require a work permit for them. These exceptions are granted to foreign nationals who can demonstrate significant economic, social or cultural benefits for Canada and are not competing with Canadian workers for jobs. ESDC takes its LMIA process very seriously; any results that indicate negatively on Canada's labour market could disapprove your application for temporary foreign worker status.
There are four distinct categories of work permits that may be granted without first seeking an LMIA: (1) those hired under international agreements like NAFTA and GATS - such as professionals, traders and investors - as well as participants of exchange programs like youth exchange participants or teacher-exchange participants; (2) self-employed activities of cultural or athletic interest to Canada; 3) self-employed activities engaging in advanced spiritual teachings that adhere to doctrines and spiritual observances that support such teachings; (4) engaging in advanced spiritual teachings that require compliance with doctrines and spiritual observances on which such teachings rely.
People nominated by their province for permanent residence through its Provincial Nominee Program are exempt from having an LMIA. This also applies to entrepreneurs and those transferred within an organization with specialized knowledge. Furthermore, certain academics such as researchers, guest lecturers or visiting professors do not require an LMIA.
Charitable or religious work conducted for Canadians does not require an assessment; however, you must demonstrate its benefits are significant to Canada without competing with similar activities in other countries. You may be exempt from needing a work permit if you participate in an intercultural or student exchange program in which your employer has partnered with a Canadian university or college, including international co-op students as well as Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship programs under International Experience Canada.
Provincial nominee program
Are You Working and Seeking Permanent Residence in Canada? The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) may be your answer! A PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals that meet labour market needs more quickly - expediting processing of a Canadian work permit as a result. A PNP nomination may also provide access to faster processing times of Canadian work permits for people who possess both in-demand skillsets as well as significant financial resources.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) of Canada assists provincial and territorial governments to select and nominate foreign nationals who meet employment, language and other criteria. Preference is given to those who will fill gaps in local workforces while contributing to economic development - making the PNP an essential way for Canada to attract skilled and talented immigrants into its regions.
There are various PNP programs available, each with different eligibility requirements and application procedures. Express Entry pool applicants have priority when applying, while non-Express Entry stream applicants have more chances of success due to more paperwork required and slower process times than with Express Entry applicants.
Under Express Entry, it is important to create a profile on Job Bank that contains all your relevant work experience and education. Once complete, one of the provincial programs may select you and send you a Notification of Interest (NOI). Once an NOI has been received from one or more province or territories, an application for visa should be submitted directly to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
An NOI will add 600 Comprehensive Ranking System points to your profile and move you one step closer to an Invitation to Apply from IRCC. However, to meet all immigration requirements successfully and avoid any problems it is recommended to seek professional assistance and ensure your profile meets them fully so you have an increased chance of getting one from your desired province. They will also provide information and support needed throughout the process.