Canada Work Permit FAQ. Canada Work Visa Frequently Asked Questions
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General Information
1.1 What is a temporary work authorization (work permit) ?
A temporary employment authorization is a document issued by an immigration officer that enables the holder to engage or continue in employment in Canada for a specified employer and for a specified period of time.
1.2 How do Canadian Immigration Authorities define "work" ?
Canadian Immigration regulations define “work” as an activity for which remuneration is earned or that competes directly with activities of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the Canadian labor market.
1.3 Who needs a valid temporary employment authorization (work permit) to work in Canada ?
Generally, individuals who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada require a valid Work Permit to work in Canada. However, foreign workers can do some jobs in Canada without a Work Authorization.
1.4 What are the different types of temporary employment authorizations (work permits) ?
There are two broad categories of work permits; those that relate to jobs requiring the Canadian Government department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) confirmation (HRSDC 2), and those that are exempt from HRSDC confirmation (HRSDC 1).
1.5 Who issues temporary employment authorization (work permit)?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), a department of the Canadian Government, issues work permits.
1.6 Who qualifies for a temporary employment authorization (work permit) in Canada ?
Generally, a temporary employment authorization may be issued to a person in good standing, where in the opinion of an immigration officer, employment of the person in Canada will not adversely affect employment opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Canada or affect the settlement of any labour dispute that is in progress at the place or intended place of employment. Such an opinion is usually formed following a favourable employment validation process conducted by a Human Resources Development Centre in Canada and in the absence of a medical or security inadmissibility.
1.7 What is the Information Technology Workers Program ?
On May 5, 1997 in response to Canadian industry's inability to hire certain foreign workers, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), in conjunction with Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), Industry Canada (IC), and the Software Human Resources Council (SHRC), implemented a pilot project aimed at alleviating an identified shortage of skilled Canadian software development workers. The program permits the timely admission into Canada of certain temporary foreign information technology workers by expediting the validation component of the employment authorization process for the applicant, and the spouse. Persons admitted under this program will be permitted to engage or continue in employment in Canada for a specified employer and for a specified period of time.
1.8 Who qualifies for a temporary employment authorization (work permit) under the Information Technology Workers Program ?
Occupational Description |
Qualifications
Embedded System Software Designer
Description
Designing, implementing and documenting real time embedded software for a variety of applications.
Education
Minimum entry requirements include: Bachelor degree (B.A.) or a 2 year Post Secondary diploma or certification with a computing element.
Language
Working proficiency in English and/or French (written and oral)
Experience
Two (2) years experience designing and implementing real time software in a high or low level language.
Salary
$45K $95K
Software Products Developer
Description
Designing and implementing software for end users.
Education
Bachelors degree (B.A.) or a 2 year Post secondary diploma/certification with a computing element.
Language
Working proficiency in English and/or French (written or oral)
Experience
Two (2) years experience with client/server applications
Salary
$45K $95K
MIS Software Designer
Description
Designing and implementing software for Management Information Systems.
Education
Bachelors degree (B.A.) or a 2 year Post secondary diploma/certification with a computing element.
Language
Working proficiency in English and/or French (written and oral).
Experience
Two (2) years experience with application development : programming, designing, and analysing real time OLTP (on line) transaction processing), RDBMS (relational database management systems), and large mainframe systems, large mainframe systems including experience with Year 2000 related activities such as impact analysis, code conversions, testing, compliance and auditing.
Salary
$45K $95K
Multimedia Software Developer
Description
Designing and implementing multimedia software for interactive computer based training (CBT) and promotional software applications.
Education
Bachelors degree (B.A.) or a 2 year Post secondary diploma/certification with a computing element.
Language
Working proficiency in English and/or French (written and oral).
Experience
Two (2) years experience in elements in producing and incorporating the following elements into CBT and multimedia applications: digital video, 2D and 3D graphics, 2D and 3D animation, digitised audio.
Salary
$35K $50K
Senior Animation Effect Editor
Description
Composing and editing animation and digital effects (FX) for film and television
Education
Bachelors degree or equivalent technical school certification in film editing and/or computer graphics, or equivalent work experience. (Experience must be in animation, film, or digital effects)
Language
Working proficiency in English and/or French (written and oral).
Experience
Two (2) years experience with non linear composing and effects background, with traditional on/off line, an asset. Knowledge required and to be demonstrated in work experience, as a senior editor in production. At least two (2) years experience required with any or a combination of platforms and software and hardware in specific products/technologies including: Avid Mcxpress/SGI MAC; AVID Videoshop/MAC; Stata Videoshop/MAC; Flint/SGI; Flame/SGI; Harry/Henry/Hal/SGI; Edit Box/SGI; Illusion/SGI; Media 100/MAC; Premier/MAC/PC/ALPHA; After Effects/MAC/PC/ALPHA; Video Action Pro/MAC/PC; Final Cut/PC; Speed Razor Pro/ALPHA/PC; D Vision/SGI; Compose/MAC/ALPHA; Animation Master/MAC/ALPHA.
Salary
$65K $100K
Software developer Services
Description
Responsible for coding, testing, analysis, design, definition, development and implementation of application systems.
Education
Bachelors degree (B.A.) or a 2 year Post secondary diploma/certification with a computing element
Language
Working proficiency in English and/or French (written and oral).
Experience
Two (2) years experience designing and implementing software.
Salary
$40K+