Work In Canada

A Canadian work permit is a permission to take a job within Canada if an individual is from a foreign country. There are various options for obtaining a Canadian work permit. Some work permits require a job offer from a Canadian employer, some require that the employer provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while others require that a person has some sort of connection to Canada (previous education, spousal sponsorship, etc.). 

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is issued by assessing the impact of hiring a foreign national in Canada. A positive LMIA indicates that there is no Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill a position, therefore enabling an employer to hire a foreign national. A negative LMIA indicates that a position should be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. After receiving a positive LMIA, the employer must notify the foreign national so that they can apply for their work permit or permanent residence.

You are eligible to apply for work permits in cases where a positive LMIA is not required. The following are exempt from requiring a positive LMIA:​

• International Agreements ie. NAFTA- NAFTA removes the need for LMIA for businesses that fall under the Agreement eradicating the necessity for a work permit.
• Global Talent Stream: Employers that are experiencing high growth or wish to hire IT, professionals
• Entrepreneurs/Self-Employed Candidates
• International Exchange Programs
• Spouse and Dependents Of Foreign Workers
• French-Speaking Skilled Workers
• Religious Workers
• Provincial LMIA Exemptions

The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a pathway created for individuals to keep working in Canada while their process of becoming a permanent resident is concluded.  

If their work permit is about to expire within four months, applicants who have processed documents to immigrate to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class, the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Class, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) can be eligible for a Bridging Open Work permit. Thus, the foreign employee may then continue to work until a decision has been reached regarding their permanent residency.

International Experience Class (IEC) is a program that enables young adults, aged 18 to 35, to work in Canada temporarily. Through an agreement with the country of residents of the individual, one can apply for IEC keeping in mind the eligibility requirements of their own country as well as Canada.
The IEC program is composed of three categories:

• Working Holiday
• Young Professionals
• International Co-op

Foreign spouses of temporary foreign workers, foreign students, and spouses being sponsored through the Inland Spousal/Common-law Sponsorship category are eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit. Graduating international students can apply for an Open Work Permit via the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and International Experience Canada (IEC) candidates are eligible under the Working Holiday category.