Canada Work Permit

federal-skilled-workers-program-canada

Canada Work Visas are issued under Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is created with an intention to help the employers recruit foreign workers with regards to labour market shortages. It is created by comprising four streams, 

  • high-skilled workers
  • low-skilled workers
  • the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
  • and the Live-In Caregiver Program.

In order to hire a foreign worker the employer must take prior approval which is done by applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) document. This document ensures that the foreign workers do not occupy the job for which permanent residents or Canadian citizens are available. The final decision of positive LMIA is delivered by the  IRCC which works in collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) it is essential that the foreign workers must have an approved job offer and a work permit before arriving in Canada.

In certain cases the foreign workers may qualify to work in Canada without an  Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under different programs, including International Mobility Program.

Our organization works to help job seekers and employers in the recruitment process and in obtaining positive LMIAs and applying for Canada work permits and related Canada visas.

Options for Family Members to Work in Canada

The best thing about a Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is that the work permit holder’s family members can also come along with them to Canada. Important things to note:

  • Each member must complete their own application forms which can be submitted together. 
  • If a family member wishes to work in Canada they must hold their own Canada Work Permit. 

There is an option to choose an open work permit, but is applicable to only spouses or common-law partners considering their eligibility. The open work permit authorizes  the holder to work in any job with any employer with limited exceptions. This also indicates that the holder’s employer does not require an LMIA.

The eligibility of the spouse in Open Work Permit counts on the skill level of the temporary foreign worker’s job.

  • Highly skilled foreign worker’s spouse could be eligible for an open work permit, on the condition that the foreign worker is permitted to work in Canada for at least 6 months. 
  • Low-skilled worker’s spouse could be eligible for an open work permit through an active pilot project. 

Children

  • Active pilot project allows the dependent children to be eligible for the open work permit.
  • A study permit would be required by the temporary foreign worker’s children to study in Canada.     

Contact us for more information on work permit conditions duration and validity.