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Canada Work Permits
Types of Work Permits in Canada
Canada offers a diverse range of work permits for foreign nationals looking to work in the country.
Temporary Work Permits are designed for foreign workers who wish to work in Canada for a specific period. These permits are usually granted for a maximum of two years and are employer-specific. To apply for a Temporary Work Permit, you typically need a job offer from a Canadian employer who has obtained a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The LMIA verifies that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill the position, and there are no suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents available for the job.
Open Work Permits, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility as they are not tied to a specific employer. With an Open Work Permit, you can work for any Canadian employer without the need for an LMIA. These permits are available under various categories, such as the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for recent graduates, and spousal or common-law partner work permits.
Canada highly values international students who have completed their studies in the country. International graduates may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that allows them to work in Canada for up to three years. The PGWP provides invaluable work experience and an opportunity to transition to permanent residency through various immigration pathways.
If you are a skilled worker employed by a company with a branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada, you may be eligible for a Work Permit under the Intra-Company Transfer category. This option allows for the transfer of employees within the company to fill specific positions in Canada temporarily.
Canada has international agreements with certain countries, allowing for specific categories of foreign workers to obtain Work Permits without an LMIA. These agreements aim to facilitate the exchange of skills, knowledge, and experience between countries.
Bridging Open Work Permits are designed to bridge the gap between the expiry of a current work permit and the final decision on an application for permanent residence. This allows eligible applicants to maintain their status in Canada and continue working while awaiting their permanent residency application results.
Canada Work Permit to Permanent Residency
Pathways from Work Permit to Permanent Residency:
Canada offers several immigration programs that allow individuals with valid work permits to apply for permanent residency. Some of the popular pathways include:
The Express Entry system is a points-based immigration system that manages the applications of skilled workers seeking permanent residency. If you have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada and meet other eligibility criteria, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Having a valid Canada Work Permit and gaining Canadian work experience can significantly boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Provincial Nominee Programs allow individual Canadian provinces and territories to nominate foreign workers with specific skills and work experience for permanent residency. Many provinces have PNP streams dedicated to foreign workers already working in Canada on valid work permits. Being nominated by a province can give you a substantial advantage when applying for permanent residency.
The Canadian Experience Class is a federal immigration program that specifically targets individuals with Canadian work experience. If you have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years and meet language and other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the CEC.
If you have a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you for permanent residency. Having a valid work permit and residing in Canada can enhance your eligibility for family sponsorship.