According to the most recent statistics from Statistics Canada which is the national statistical agency, yearly over 400,000 foreign workers migrate to work in Canada on a temporary work abroad permit or visa.
Although immigrants do need to pass through the point-based assessment, the Canadian work visa sometimes called the Canadian work permit is the key to working in Canada.
To procure a temporary work visa or permit, there are criteria on a checklist you’d need to meet to be granted a work abroad visa or permit.
Also, depending on your country of citizenship, you’ll need to get a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before you can travel to Canada.
General Eligibility Requirements for Work Abroad Visa and Permit in Canada
- Prove you’re not a danger to Canada’s security
- Have a criminal record and submit a police clearance certificate as proof.
- Provide proof to an officer that you will move out of Canada on the expiry of your Work Permit.
- Provide documents showing that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family during your stay in Canada.
- Must have good health and take a medical exam if required
- Have no plans to work for any employer that has been listed as ineligible by the government because they failed to comply with certain conditions.
- Have no plans to work for an employer who offers erotic dance, striptease, escort services, or erotic massages.
- Must be ready to provide any other documents demanded by officers to qualify your entry to Canada.
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Documents Required to Apply for a Canada Work Permit Visa
- A valid international passport with a validity of more than 6 months from the planned date of arrival in Canada.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs of yourself and accompanying family members with the specified dimensions.
- Evidence that you meet the requirements for the prospective job.
- Educational qualification certificates
- Proof of professional qualifications, work experience inclusive.
- Proof of adequate financial resources to cover your expenses during your stay in Canada.
- Medical examination needed to be done from an accredited hospital.
- Application fee
Applicants should be able to persuade immigration officials that they would return to their home country after the end of their employment.
The Processes of Applying for a Work Abroad Visa or Permit for Canada
- Go to the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) website to apply for a work abroad visa or permit in Canada, this should only be done after you’ve your job and gotten the necessary documentation.
- Submit your approved Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) letter.
- Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need to obtain a temporary resident visa.
- Monitor your application status and processing time closely.
- Work abroad visa granted.
- In the case, it was rejected, review your documents and application using the reason given to you for your rejection and reapply again.
Canada Work Permit Visa Allows You To
Under the Canada Work Permit Visa you can:
- Earn in dollars.
- Travel across Canada.
- Work under the employer you have mentioned in your work permit application in Canada.
- Enables you to apply for Dependent Visas for all your dependents.
- Apply for a PR visa at a later date.
Labor Market Impact Assessment should be obtained, If necessary
Most job offers currently require the employer to apply for the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is solely obtained from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
So, the employer must collaborate with the employee to finish this process. It’s important to note that some job offers don’t require LMIA, these jobs are LMIA exempt work permits, meaning you can work in Canada with just the work abroad visa.
Immediately a positive or neutral LMIA is granted, your Canadian employer would then present a copy of the LMIA to the employee, which would be added to the documents needed to apply for the work abroad visa or permit in Canada.
When the above process is completed, then you can go ahead and apply for a work abroad visa or permit for Canada.
Job Offers That Don’t Require LMIA Letter
As earlier stated, there are some job offers that don’t require employees to obtain the LMIA letter in other to apply for a work visa in Canada.
Below is a list of them.
- Academics
- International Agreements (NAFTA, GATS, Canada-Columbia FTA, Canada-Peru FTA)
- Religious Workers
- Entrepreneurs/Self-Employed Candidates
- Intra-Company Transferees
- French-Speaking Skilled Workers
- Spouse and Dependents Of Foreign Workers
- Provincial LMIA Exemptions, etc.
- International Exchange Programs