Work Permits and Visa Process In Canada
Obtain a Work Permit and visa for Canada with Segue Immigration.
Canada offers two main work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.
Work Permits in Canada
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a Canadian government document that evaluates the necessity of hiring a foreign worker for a specific job. It determines if there are suitable Canadian candidates available for the position before approving the foreign worker's employment.
The Canadian Open Work permit allows foreign nationals to work for any Canadian employer in most occupations. Unlike employer-specific work permits, which tie the worker to a single employer and position, open work permits offer greater flexibility and mobility within the Canadian job market.
Types of Canadian Work Permits
- Open Work Permits: Allow you to work for any employer in Canada.
- Employer-Specific Work Permits: Tie you to a specific Canadian employer (Requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA))
- Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP): For international students who have graduated from a Canadian institution.
- Spousal or Common-Law Partner Work Permits: For spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Work Permits: For foreign workers nominated by a Canadian province or territory.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Work Permits: For specific occupations and industries, often requiring an LMIA.
- International Mobility Program (IMP) Work Permits: For various work categories, such as business visitors, intra-company transferees, and young professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
There have been some changes to Canadian work permit rules, especially regarding international students and their families. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
Updates for International Students
- Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP):
- Curriculum Licensing Arrangements: Students in programs delivered under curriculum licensing arrangements are no longer eligible for PGWP.
- Extended Work Permits: Graduates of master’s degree programs may be eligible for longer PGWP durations.
- Work Permits for Family Members:
- Spouses and Common-Law Partners: Only spouses or common-law partners of graduate or professional students are eligible for open work permits.
- Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP):
Updates for Employers
- LMIA Requirements:
- Stricter Monitoring: Authorities are now more closely monitoring LMIAs to ensure they are being used correctly.
- Genuine Job Offers: Employers must prove that the job offer is genuine and that they cannot find a Canadian worker to fill the position.
Yes, Canadian work permits can be extended depending on the circumstances. If your work permit is nearing its expiration date and you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to apply for an extension.
There are several types of Canadian work permits that do not require an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment):
- Open Work Permits
- Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
- Intra-Company Transfers
- International Mobility Program (IMP) Work Permits
- Certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Streams
IRCC has introduced several new policies related to work permit extensions in 2024 that include:
- Open Work Permits for PNP Candidates: A new public policy allows eligible Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates to obtain open work permits, providing them with greater flexibility in the Canadian job market.
- Extended PGWP for Masters Students: Graduates of master’s degree programs may now be eligible for longer Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP).
- Temporary Public Policy for PNP Candidates: A temporary public policy has been introduced to facilitate work permits for prospective PNP candidates who have submitted an application but are awaiting their provincial nomination.
If your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) expires in 2024, you will no longer have the legal right to work in Canada. You can either transition to a Permanent residence, leave Canada or apply for a new work permit, such as a Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) work permit or an International Mobility Program (IMP) work permit.
Generally, processing times can range from a few weeks to several months.
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