Canada Work Permit: Check Eligibility, Application Process, and Processing Time

Highlights

• Types of Work Visa - The types of Canada work permits are Open permit work visas, Employment-specific work visas, IEC Canada, and Innovation work visas.
• Eligibility Criteria - To be eligible for a Canada work visa, you must prove that you will return to your home country after the expiration of your visa. You must not have any criminal record and must prove the availability of minimum funds.
• Documents Required - You must submit documents regarding your current immigration status and 2 passport-size photographs. You must also provide proof of the job that has been offered to you.
• Processing Time - The Canada work permit takes 21 weeks to process if applied from India and 90 days if applied from within Canada.
• Work Visa Fees - The Canada work visa fee for a single person is 86 CAD. If you bring your family of 2, the fees would be 175 CAD. The fee for a group of performing artists is 255 CAD.

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Canada Work Permit is issued to applicants by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It lets you work legally in the country. However, you must note that you can apply for a Work Visa only after getting a job offer or an employment contract from a Canadian employer. If you are an international student, you work after graduation with a work visa. You can apply for a work permit through the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry).

• Canadian employers who wish to hire temporary foreign workers in the Tech sector or with unique skills can apply for an LMIA through the Global Talent Stream program.
• An Open Work Permit in Canada, also known as an International Mobility Program, grants the flexibility to work for various employers across Canada. This permit is especially beneficial for Temporary Foreign Workers, allowing employment in Canada for up to six months with the liberty to switch employers.
• On April 15, 2023, Canada introduced a new 2-year Innovation work permit.
• This Innovation Stream will bring in highly skilled foreign workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Family members of these foreign workers will be eligible to work under any employer in Canada.

Work after Graduation in Canada

An international student can work temporarily after completing his/ her graduation from a college or university in Canada. They would require a Canadian work visa to be eligible to work after graduation. This work experience can help international applicants to apply for PR through the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry). The various types of Canadian work permits are as follows:

• Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
• Open Work Permit (OWP)
• Employer-specific Work Permit (ESWP).

Post-graduation Work Permit in Canada (PGWP)

A Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a work permit that an international student may apply for after finishing a post-secondary or higher education in Canada. It is an open work permit, allowing students to work for any company in Canada. Students with a PGWP are exempted from the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements, a document that allows an employer to hire an international candidate for a job in Canada.

The validity of a Post-graduation Work Permit depends on the length of the educational program. The maximum duration for PGWP is three years. A PGWP issued for a one-year program will usually be issued for the same length of time (i.e. if the study program is 12 months, the PGWP would be valid for 12 months). However, for study programs with a duration of two or more years, a PGWP may be issued for up to three years. The permit cannot be valid for a longer duration than the length of the program of study in Canada.

To be eligible for a PGWP, a student must have attended a full-time study program from an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada for at least eight months duration. Students must apply within 180 days of completing their program and obtaining transcripts.

Open Work Permit in Canada (OWP)

An Open Work Permit (OWP) is a work permit in Canada that is not job-specific, allowing the holder to work anywhere across the country and for any company. OWP holders will not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada while applying for the permit. The open work permits do not require an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada. For an employer looking to hire applicants with an open work permit, it is not mandatory to submit an employment offer through the Employer Portal.

An applicant applying for an OWP can apply for the same:

• From outside Canada,
• At a port of entry, or
• After arrival in Canada.

There are three types of Open Work Permits:

• Unrestricted permits: Offer complete freedom to change employers, occupations, and work locations.
• Occupation-restricted permits: Allow changes in employers but limit the ability to switch occupations.
• Location-restricted permits: Permit employer changes while specifying the geographical area of work.

Conditions for the Open Work Permit

You must fulfill the below-mentioned requirements for the open work permit-

• Proof of financial resources that can support your and your family’s stay in Canada during the work permit validity.
• Proof that you have no history of a criminal record.
• Proof that you are in good health.
• Willingness to adhere to the conditions of your work permit even if you are given a restricted work permit.
• Meet eligibility conditions such as language skills, biometric data, and insurance.

Employer-specific Work Permit in Canada (ESWP)

An Employer-specific Work Permit (ESWP) legally allows an international worker to work for a specific employer and for a certain period of time. For IRCC to issue an ESWP, basic details are required which include:

• the name of the employer;
• the duration of the job;
• the location or site of work.

This kind of Canadian work permit is subject to a job offer by an employer in Canada supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

IEC Canada

IEC, commonly referred to as International Experience Canada, allows applicants to travel and work in Canada for up to 2 years. There are 3 types of work and travel experiences in Canada, namely:

• Working Holiday
• Young Professionals
• International Co-op (Internship)

Innovation Work Permit

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new 2-year Innovation work permit via the Global Hypergrowth Project on April 15, 2024. This new stream will allow eligible Canadian companies to hire foreign workers without an LMIA. Jobs under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 are considered high-skilled jobs. The Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) is a new service from the Canadian government that helps Canadian businesses develop further and faster.

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Innovation Work Permit

The Eligibility Criteria for a Canada innovation work permit are listed below:

• Foreign nationals who want to apply for a work permit under the Innovation Stream should have a job offer from one of the eligible Canadian employers under the Global Hypergrowth Project.
• The job offer must come under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
• The Canada Innovation work permit application has to be filled out using the IRCC Secure Account.
• Wages offered should equal to or exceed the median hourly wages set for the region.
• Applicants should have the skills required for the job they are applying for.
• Immigration officers must ensure the applicants meet the education and experience requirements for their job.

Canadian Work Permit Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility for a work visa for Canadians varies depending on the location from where the applications are made. However, irrespective of the type of Canadian work permit, all applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have proof of leaving Canada after the expiration of the work permit.
• Have proof of minimum required funds.
• There should be no record of criminal activity. The applicant may be asked to submit a police clearance certificate.
• Have medical exams and be in good health.
• Not be a danger to Canadian security.
• Must not be working with an ineligible employer.
• Must not work with employers offering striptease, erotic dances, escort services erotic massages.
• Provide additional documents, if asked by the officer.

Forms and Documents Required for a Canadian Work Permit

While applying for a Canada job visa, applicants are required to submit certain forms and documents. All the forms required by the IRCC must be completed, signed, and dated by the applicant before submitting.

Required Forms

• Application for Canadian work visa made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295)
• Family Information Form- To be filled by those aged 18 or above or by a minor traveling to Canada alone.
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)- To be filled only if the applicant allows IRCC and CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) to release the candidate’s information to someone other than himself/herself.
• Document Checklist for a Work Permit (from Outside Canada)- This is one of the forms required to be submitted along with the application.

Required Documents

• Payment of the application processing fee and the other applicable fees (biometric fee or open holder permit fee) in an acceptable payment method by the visa office.
• A valid passport with a copy of the information page that includes:
  • Passport number
  • Issuance and expiry dates
  • Applicants photograph, name, date, and place of birth
• 2 passport-size photographs meeting the requirements of the visa application photograph specifications
• Proof of current immigration status
• Photocopy of Marriage Certificate, if applicable
• Proof of eligibility for the job offered
• Proof of LMIA provided by ESDC to the employer and copy of job offer or Offer of Employment ID number
• Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec (Québec Acceptance Certificate- CAQ) if working in Quebec region
• If applying for PGWP, submit proof of the completion of the study program:
  • A final transcript
  • A letter from the college/ university of graduation
• Other specific documents as asked by the visa office in respective home countries.

Additional Requirements for Canadian Work Permit

Applicants may have to fulfill additional criteria, depending on the location where the work permit application is made. The Canada work permit visa requirements are discussed in the sections below:

Eligibility for Applicants Applying from Outside Canada

For applicants applying from outside Canada, some of the Canada requirements for work permits may vary depending upon the country or province from which they apply. Applicants applying from outside Canada can benefit from Global Skills Strategy’s two-week application processing.

Eligibility for Applicants Applying from Inside Canada

Applicants for a work authorization Canada can apply for the same from inside Canada, if:

• Have a valid permit or Canadian student visa
• Spouses or common-law partners should have a valid study permit if required.
• Have graduated from a Canadian university, community college, CEGEP, or other eligible schools.
• Have a temporary resident visa, valid for six months or more
• Are waiting on a decision for the PR application.
• Planning to claim refugee protection
• Are recognized as protected persons or convention refugees by IRCC.
• You are a trader, investor, intra-company transferee, or a professional under NAFTA

Eligibility for Applying from Port of Entry (POE)

Applicants can apply for a work permit in Canada at POE, if:

• A visitor visa is not required for coming to Canada. And
• Applying for an Open Work Permit
• The required steps for the Employer-specific Work Permit must be completed by the employer.

Canada Work Permit Processing Time

The processing time of a Canada work permit takes around 90 days if applied from within Canada. This is the same amount of time taken to extend a work permit. However, if you are applying from India, the processing time increases to 21 weeks. Work permits issued by International Experience Canada (IEC), take 6 weeks to obtain. The Work Permit processing time completely depends on the completion of your application and the office you applied at.

How to Get a Canada Work Permit?

Applicants for a Canada work permit can apply online for the same. The details of the application process for Canada visa and work permit are detailed below:

• Gather the Required Documents: Applicants must ensure that all the documents required are gathered before submitting the filling the application. This will ensure that the details or document copies are provided carefully with the application form.
• Fill in the Application Form and Answer all the Questions: The application form has questions addressing the following details of the applicants:
  • Personal details
  • Language proficiency details
  • Passport details
  • Details of work in Canada
  • Education details
  • Previous work experience details, if any,
• Pay the Application and Related Fees: The applicants for a Canada work permit are required to pay three separate fees. These are the application processing fee, work permit holder fees, and biometric fees. The details of the Canada work permit price are as follows:

Note: Applicants for an open work permit are required to pay the open work permit fees as well as work permit fees. Below is the Canada work permit cost-

• Submit the Application: Online applicants can submit their applications after completion of the application process with a single click. Offline applicants can submit the completed application package to the VAC (Visa Application Center). India has around 10 VACs in the following cities:

Why Apply Online for a Canada Work Permit?

An online application for a work permit has several advantages.

• No mail delivery time and courier fees
• Quick processing
• Ensures that only a complete application is submitted
• Quick online submission is available if you need additional documents.
• Submission of the passport is not required.
• Application details are sent to the online account used for the application.

After you apply for a Canada Work Permit

Once the application for a work permit for Canada has been processed the applicants may be asked to attend an interview, and send additional information and medical exam results. In case the application is incomplete, it is refused or returned.

• For applicants who apply from outside Canada, if the applications are approved, a letter of approval is sent. This letter is not a work permit but is required to obtain a Canadian work visa upon reaching Canada.
• Applicants who apply for a work permit from within Canada are mailed the work permit at their Canadian address.
• For applicants who apply at POE, the work permit is issued by the border services officer.

Arriving in Canada

Applicants are required to inform the BSO (Border Service Officer) about their arrival in Canada. The following procedure is followed after the arrival:

• Applicants who enter at the 10 major Canadian airports: Fingerprints are checked at the Primary Inspection Kiosk.
• Applicants who enter at other Canadian airports: Fingerprints will be required if the applicant is referred to secondary inspection.

After the applicant passes the identity check, the following entry requirements must be fulfilled:

• Valid travel documents
• Good health condition
• No criminal or immigration-related convictions
• Convince the immigration officer regarding the intent of return to the home country.
• Proof of funds

Applicants are required to submit the following presenting documents at the POE:

• Letter of introduction: This is the visa confirmation letter. It should be accompanied by
  • Passport
  • Visa
  • Travel documents
• Proof of meeting job requirements
• Copy of employer-positive LMIA
• Offer of employment number sent to the employer on submitting an offer through the employer portal.

Applicants must apply for SIN (Social Insurance Number) to avail of or access government programs and benefits related to medical and health insurance. Applicants can apply for the same through the Service Canada Office. The decisions regarding the work permits and the processing time depend on the number of applications received by the IRCC.

Work and Study in Canada

International students are required to provide proof of available finances to cover the living expenses in Canada. They can also apply for work-study to supplement their spending allowances with part-time jobs available on-campus and off-campus.

Work-study in Canada can help an international student immigrate to Canada after graduation. International students on a valid study permit can apply for on-campus/ off-campus part-time jobs without any work permit for Canada.

It was reported by IRCC that around 332,000 international students were eligible for a work permit (on and off-campus work) in 2017. It was also reported that around 114,000 had a work permit under PGWP. The statistics from previous years suggest that a high number of international students apply for a Canadian work permit, both while studying and post-study.

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