ITG StaffImmigration can be a complex process. To minimize any delays and provide necessary documents in a timely fashion, be prepared for questions and answer promptly any requests for answers or documents that may arise during this journey.
Provincial Nominee Programs, vital tools for filling local labour gaps, are expected to undergo significant modifications in 2024. IRCC hopes to enhance intake management and align the immigration system with regional employment needs.
Determine Eligibility
Work visas are required of non-Canadians entering and staying in Canada for employment purposes. Depending on your occupation, one or more of Canada’s work visa programs, such as the International Mobility Program (IMP), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), or Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP), could apply.
Step one in the application process involves assessing your eligibility. This can be accomplished using the Canadian government website tool to calculate your CRS score. Step two includes gathering the necessary documents, such as educational certificates, proof of work experience, and language test results, as well as your passport for travel to Canada.
Your employer must show that there are no Canadian workers available for the position and it serves the national interest to hire foreign workers. They will need to pay an employer compliance fee of CAN$230 and submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Furthermore, your employer must include an employment letter in your Port of Entry package.
Job Offer and Employer Compliance
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues work visas to foreign nationals who wish to work in Canada for specific jobs over a specified period and can serve as a pathway toward permanent residency. Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements before gathering the necessary documents to apply for one of these work permits.
Madam Justice Pallotta held that visa officers must independently evaluate whether a job offer is legitimate; she must determine if an employer could fulfil it.
Employers must abide by all federal, provincial and territorial employment or recruitment laws from when a worker begins working until he or she leaves Canada. Furthermore, employers must ensure workers can access any services or information for free in either of Canada’s official languages.
Suppose an officer finds that an employer is non-compliant. In that case, they will receive a notice of inspection with details about any conditions violated and appropriate penalties, as well as an opportunity for them to respond before a final decision is reached.
LMIA Application
An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Analysis) is necessary for most jobs filled through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. This document verifies that an employer requires foreign workers and that no Canadian or permanent resident could fill that role.
LMIAs are reviewed by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Employers must show they attempted and failed to hire suitable Canadian employees before turning to non-Canadian candidates. A positive LMIA indicates ESDC is satisfied that hiring non-Canadians won’t negatively affect the local workforce.
Employers offering positions at or above the territorial median wage must submit a Transition Plan that details how they will incorporate high-paid foreign workers into the local workforce or upskill local citizens for these positions. The ESDC will evaluate both plans.
Starting in 2024, all LMIA applications must be submitted online through the new LMIA Portal and include supporting documents and fees. Visit the resources page to learn how to use this system effectively to complete your application.
Online Application Submission
Submitting an online work permit application is the initial step of applying for Canadian immigration status, so ensure it is completed accurately and fully to avoid delays. Canadian immigration officials may request additional documents during this stage; be ready to respond quickly if they need additional info or documents from you.
Once the IRCC has received your application, a biometrics instruction letter will arrive in your account with details on an appointment date and time at a Service Canada location where your fingerprints and photo can be submitted. A list of approved locations can be found on their Find a Service Canada Location webpage.
You must also present additional supporting documents as part of your employment application. These can include proof of identity such as a valid passport or citizenship certificate; educational credentials like mark sheets, degrees and certificates; employment reference letters from former employers as well as financial paperwork such as income tax returns or bank statements; as well as satisfying any language requirements depending on the nature of work you seek.
Document Compilation
Once you’ve secured an appointment letter from a Canadian company, the next step in the visa application process should be collecting supporting documents such as your passport, medical exam results (for most types), reference letters, proof of financial stability documents from recent years and bank statements dating back two years.
Documents required for Canada work visas depend on the type of work permit you need. Most work permits require an offer letter and an LMIA from an employer to demonstrate there were no qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill the position; other types, like the International Experience Canada program and Express Entry, do not need formal job offers but still need an LMIA as proof.
When applying for either type of work visa, both forms require you to pay an application fee and submit biometrics – this can be done either at a Visa Application Centre or online; the fee includes both biometric charges. Once approved, your Port of Entry Letter of Introduction will arrive.
Processing Time and Updates
Canada work visas allow you to enter the country and perform work specified on a work permit application. To secure one, a valid passport and meet all requirements set forth by an employment offer are essential components.
Most work visa applications require an LMIA from HRSDC that certifies that Canadian citizens and permanent residents cannot fill the position offered, plus additional requirements depending on the job, such as education or prior experience.
Once the Canadian visa office has received your documents, they will review them to ensure their completeness and accuracy. This may take some time; responding immediately to requests for information or documentation can speed up this process.
Some visa applications will also require a medical exam conducted by a panel physician, which may take some time. Responding quickly to requests for medical records can speed up this process. Once approved, your visa will either be delivered electronically or physically.
Visa Approval and Confirmation
Depending upon the work visa or immigration program, candidates may need to provide evidence of funds, undergo a medical exam or background check, meet certain criteria and more. Once these materials have been submitted to an application officer for review, they are reviewed quickly to avoid unnecessary delays in processing their application. If additional documents or information are requested immediately following receipt, prompt replies can help prevent unnecessary delays.
If your visa is approved, a letter of introduction (also known as the Port of Entry (PoE) Letter of Introduction) is given that authorizes you to travel and work in Canada. When entering Canada to get your work permit at its Port of Entry (PoE), present this letter.
Applicants whose visa applications are denied will receive a letter explaining why and information on how they may reapply with additional documentation and LMIA forms. If they would like to bring along spouses and/or children as dependents, an open work or study visa allows them access to work or study at any Canadian company.
Arrival and Settlement
International professionals looking to live and work temporarily in Canada can secure various work visas through careful planning and preparation. Examples include Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa, and Temporary Foreign Workers Program – each can be obtained with sufficient planning.
Candidates looking to apply for permanent residence in Canada should conduct extensive research and consult with an experienced immigration specialist when considering their options to help determine which work visa best fits their circumstances and submit an effective application that satisfies minimum requirements.
Applicant should be mindful that obstacles could impede their work visa approval process, including incomplete or incorrect applications and lack of evidence of financial support. Therefore, they must carefully plan their applications, submit all documentation in a timely fashion, and pay all applicable fees associated with applying for a work visa in full and using the correct currency.
ITG Staff
