This authorization may be “open” or “closed” depending on the type of permit. In addition, some foreign nationals must apply for an entry visa prior to coming to Canada. Please see Visit Canada for more information about entry visas.
In order to obtain work permit in Canada, you must usually have pre-arranged employment from an employer authorized to hire you. If you are accompanying a spouse or common-law partner to Canada you may be eligible for a spousal work permit.
This includes employees entering Canada on work permits pursuant to Free Trade Agreements and Intra-Company Transfers. Employers of foreign nationals working in Canada through the IMP must still comply with all requirements of the program and are subject to the same compliance and enforcement measures as those using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
In order to qualify, a professional must have an offer of employment from a Canadian employer for a job covered by the free trade agreement and be otherwise admissible to Canada. Canada has free trade agreements with countries including the U.S. (North American Free Trade Agreement), Mexico, South Korea, Honduras, Panama, Jordan, Columbia, Peru, Costa Rica, Chile, and Israel.
In 2017 Canada entered into the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), facilitating the entry of business visitors and certain foreign workers into Canada.
The entry of intra-company transferees is guided by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and is supplemented by provisions contained in international trade agreements for citizens of signatory countries.
Cette catégorie peut être utilisée pour faire venir un travailleur francophone pour combler un poste hautement qualifié dans un établissement canadien à l’extérieur du Québec. Le travailleur étranger n’est pas tenu d’avoir une expérience antérieure au sein de l’entreprise et l’employeur n’est pas tenu de démontrer qu’il n’y a pas de travailleur canadien disponible pour ce poste. Le but du programme est d’encourager les employeurs à embaucher des travailleurs francophones. Certains candidats de niveau exécutif ou professionnel peuvent bénéficier d’un délai de traitement accéléré de 2 semaines.
This category can be used to bring in a French speaking worker to fill a high-skilled position at a Canadian location outside of Quebec. There are no requirements for the foreign worker to have any previous experience with the company nor are there obligations for the employer to demonstrate that there is no Canadian worker available for the position. The purpose of the program is to encourage employers to hire francophone workers. Some Executive or Professional level applicants can benefit from an expedited 2-week processing time.
This work permit that can be issued for up to a duration of five years for highly skilled workers who are:
Under the program, a Labour Market Impact Assessment is sought to provide a legal basis for a work permit approval. The LMIA process includes very detailed advertising and recruitment requirements as well as other compliance obligations. This process has become extremely complex, and Canadian employers would benefit from an experienced representative to guide them through the application.
Category A – for innovative, high-growth, high-potential firms, that have been referred to the Global Talent Stream by a Designated Partner, who need to hire unique and specialized talent. Unique and specialized talent has been defined as:
Category B – for Canadian businesses that are seeking to hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill the following occupations found on the Global Talent Occupations List:
Both Category A and Category B firms are required to work with the Department of Employment and Social Development to develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan that demonstrates their commitment to activities that will track overall job creation, skills and training investments, and provides a benefit to the Canadian economy through the employment of the highly-skilled global talent.
The Government of Canada believes that investment follows talent and as part of the innovation agenda, Canada is opening the door to the next brain gain of highly skilled, specialized, in-demand foreign workers who will help Canadian companies scale up and grow their businesses.
For more information on employee visas and/or assistance in preparing an application for an employee visa, please contact us.
