Canada Work Visa

Here you can find general information about Canada work visa. However, for the most up-to-date Canada visa requirements you should contact your local embassy or consulate.

Canada Work Visa - Working Temporarily in Canada

However you might not need a work permit if you meet on of the following:

Business visitors (is different from business people) – People who are engage in international business activities without directly entering the Canadian labor market. This group must prove that their main source of payment and main place of business is outside Canada.

Foreign representatives and family members of foreign representatives – Diplomats, official representatives of other countries, their staff and accredited family members of diplomats can work in Canada without a work permit. However in order to be able to work in Canada they must have written authorization from the Office of Protocol of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.

Military personnel - Members of an armed force from another country can work in Canada without a work permit.

Students working on campus -Certain foreign students can work without a Canada work permit on the campus of the institution where they are studying.

News reporters - Reporters working for foreign newspapers, television channels, and news agencies can work in Canada without a visa if they are reporting on Canadian events.

Convention organizers - Organizers and administrative staff of international meetings or conventions being held in Canada do not need a work permit.

Clergy - People coming to Canada to work as ministers, or members of a religious order do not need a work permit to perform their religious duties.

Special Categories - Certain categories of workers may not require a work permit, or they may have work permits approved more quickly; Information technology workers, live-in caregivers, Business people.

For a comprehensive list of people who do not need to apply for a work permit in Canada please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Canada Work Visa – Important Information

Before applying for a work permit in Canada please relate to the following guidelines:

• Your employer helps determine if you are eligible.
• You must meet the general requirements for entering and for staying in Canada, in addition to those for getting a work permit. This means you may need a temporary resident visa.
• A work permit is not an immigration document. It does not allow you to live in Canada permanently.
• If you want your spouse and children to come with you to Canada, they must apply to do so.
• You almost always have to apply for a work permit from outside Canada. However, sometimes you can apply from inside or as you enter Canada.

Canada Work Visa – Who Can Apply and Document Requirements

You will be eligible for a work visa if you meet the following: (For those who apply for a work visa from outside of Canada)

• Present a job offer from a Canadian employer.
• Complete an application, that shows that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
• Have a written confirmation from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job. In most cases, it is up to your employer to get that written confirmation.
• Satisfy a visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your work permit.
• Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada.
• Respect the law and have no criminal record. You might need to translate your no criminal records.
• Show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada.
• Be in good health. (You may have to have a medical examination).

Canada Work Permit – How to Apply

Obtain an application kit – You can obtain an application kit at the Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country, or you can download it from the Internet at Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Submit your application - You must submit your application to the visa office responsible for the country or region where you live. You must have legal status in your country of residence.

Find out if you need a passport and a temporary resident visa – In order to work in Canada, you must meet the general requirements for entering Canada. This means that you might also need a passport and a temporary resident visa. A temporary resident visa is an official document that is placed in your passport at the same time as your Canada work permit is approved.

Pay processing fee – For current rate check at the Canadian embassy or consulate in your residency country or at Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. Your fee will not be refunded, even if your application is not accepted.

Submit the application form – Before you submit the application make sure you completed it correctly and attached all the required documents. If your application is not complete it will be returned to you, and you will loose precious time.

After submitting the application - You may be asked to go to an interview with Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials in your country or to send more information. You might also need a medical examination to be allowed to enter Canada.

If your application has been approved, you will receive a letter of authorization stating that you are allowed to work in Canada. That letter is not a work permit.

Canada Work Visa – Entering Canada

Upon arrival to Canada, you will have to present the letter of authorization to the immigration officer, together with your passport, and your visa (if one is required). The immigration officer will then give you a work permit and in some cases, a temporary resident visa may also be placed on your passport.

Medical and health insurance and workers’ compensation in Canada - Your employer is responsible for making sure you are covered by medical and health insurance and workers’ compensation when you arrive in Canada.

Getting a social insurance number - You must obtain a social insurance number (SIN) to work in Canada.

Extending your stay – You may apply to extend or change your Canada work permit for the following reasons:

• Your job is extended or changes.
• You are offered a different job in Canada - If you are offered a different job in Canada, you must apply for a new work permit in Canada.
• You want to live and work in Canada permanently.
• You leave Canada and then want to re enter

Disclaimer: The contents of Canada work visa page are provided as an information guide only. The use of this website is at the viewer/user's sole risk. While every effort is made in presenting up-to-date and accurate information, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the owners to this website for any errors, omissions, outdated or misleading information on these pages or any site to which these pages connect or are linked.

Source & Copyright: The source of the above Canada work visa and immigration information and copyright owner/s is the: - Citizenship and Immigration Canada - URL: www.cic.gc.ca

The viewer/user of Canada work visa page should use the above information as a guideline only, and should always contact the above sources or the user's own government representatives for the most up-to-date information at that moment in time, before making a final decision to travel to that country or destination.

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