Temporary Forign Worker programs

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There are some programs that are meant entirely for the people who are looking for a temporary work opportunity in Canada. Temporary Workers come under:

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (LMIA based Work Permits such as High Wage/Low Wage LMIA, Caregivers, SAWP, Global Talent Stream, Owner Operator Stream) or under International Mobility Program (LMIA Exempt Programs that are divided in two categories Open Work Permits such as Post Graduate Work Permit, Bridging Open Work Permits, Spousal Work Permit, Inland Spousal Sponsorship, IEC Working Holiday or Employer Specific LMIA exempt permits such as the Intra Company Transferees, NAFTA or other Trade agreements, IEC – Young Professionals and International Co-op).

These programs allow the people to work temporarily and then accumulate work experience that will count in their application for a Permanent Residency and then, consequently, the Citizenship of Canada. RedBird Immigration is here to help you at every step of the process in achieving your immigration goals. Contact us today to start the process to meet your immigration needs in a cost-effective way!

How does It works

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or International Mobility Program (IMP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals to fill temporary labour and skill shortages when qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available. Every year, thousands of foreign workers join the Canadian work force to help and grow the economy. With few exceptions, most individuals willing to work and settle in Canada will require a work permit.

Work permit is an official document that authorizes the a foreign national to work in Canada legally. There are two types of work permits:

  1. Open Work Permit: An open work permit allows someone to work for any employer in Canada (Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) – NOT required), except for an employer:
    • who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions or
    • who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages
  2. Employer Specific Work Permit (Closed Work Permit): An employer-specific work permit allows a foreign national to work according to the conditions on their work permit, which include:
    • the name of the employer they can work for
    • how long they can work
    • the location where they can work (if applicable)

A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required unless LMIA exemption is applicable under certain scenarios.

Work Permit Application Process:

Work permit process, in most cases, requires applicant need to have a valid offer letter,either with LMIA or without LMIA if LMIA is exempted,to apply for Canadian work permit.The first step to get awork permit is by applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment, if required, from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). After a positive LMIA has been issued, the applicant can apply for a Canadian work permit on that basis.Remember that work permits are employer specific, so if applicant is willing to change the employer, they need to obtain a separate work permit for that.

There are certain eligibility requirements that every applicant must meet in order to successfully secure a work permit. Applicant must:

  • Prove to an officer that they will leave Canada when their work permit expires.
  • Show that they have enough money to take care of themselves and their family members during their stay in Canada and to return home.
  • Obey the law and have no record of criminal activity, police certificates might be requested.
  • Not be a danger to Canada’s security.
  • Be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed.
  • Not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions.
  • Not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.
  • Give the officer any other support documents as requested by them.

Work Permit application can be applied at following places:

  1. Application from outside Canada:
  2. Anyone may apply for a work permit before they enter Canada either in their country of citizenship or their current country of residence. In some cases, they must apply to a visa office outside Canada specifically if they need a visa to enter Canada or if they need to have a medical exam before they come to Canada.

  3. Application from inside Canada:
  4. Applicant can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if they:

    • Are currently in Canada and have a valid study or work permit, or their spouse or parents have a study or work permit.
    • Have graduated from a program at a
      • Canadian university.
      • Community college.
      • CÉGEP.
      • Publicly funded trade/technical school, or
      • Other eligible school.
    • Have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more.
    • Have applied or been included in an application for permanent residence from inside Canada (they will have to pass certain stages in the main application process to be eligible for a work permit).
    • Have asked for refugee status in Canada and are waiting for a decision from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
    • Have been recognized by the RPD as a convention refugee or protected person.
    • Have had their refugee claim turned down by the RPD but they cannot be removed from Canada for reasons beyond their control.
    • Are allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but they need a work permit to work in a different job.
  5. Application at Canadian Port of Entry:
  6. Applicant can ask to be allowed to work in Canada when they enter Canada but only if they:

    • Are from a visa-exempt country.
    • Already hold a valid medical certificate, if they need it for their job, or are from a designated country, and either
    • Have an employer who has completed all of the steps for their type of work permit, or
    • Are applying for an open work permit.

If applicant is a citizen of an eTA-required country, they will need to get an eTA if they plan to fly into Canada. To avoid additional costs, it is always recommended that application for work permit for their work permit be made before their travel to Canada.

Work Permit Duration

The work permits come with an expiry date. It is necessary to get permanent resident status to work in Canada permanently or for an unspecified time period. Once the work permit expires, the worker is required to leave the country or apply well before for extension so as to become eligible for work permit again.