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Canada Work Permit – Qualification Based Immigration
Foreign Nationals seeking to enter the Canadian labour market, require a legal document granting permission to engage in employment in Canada. The Canadian government has created several programs to help bring experienced and skilled people to Canada. Gonsalves & Inka can help you navigate Canada’s work permit options.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) permits international students who have
graduated from a Canadian designated learning institute (DLI), to work full time in Canada.
The length of the PGWP ranges from 8 months to 3 years and is based on the length of the program of
study. Once you complete a 4-year undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for a 3-year PGWP.
Quick Facts:
- You must apply before your study permit expires.
- You can only apply after receiving a Letter of Completion from the faculty of the designated learning institution (DLI) you attended.
- The PGWP application must be submitted within 90 days of your Letter of Completion being issued.
- The PGWP is issued only once. If you are planning to further your studies, then you must apply after the second program is completed.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is a Canadian government program, that allows employers in Canada to hire foreign nationals. Temporary foreign workers (TFWS), work in positions that have not been filled by Canadians.
The aim of the program is to address skill shortages and boost economic growth in Canada. The program was initially aimed at nurses and agricultural workers, but today it provides opportunities to both high skilled and less skilled workers to gain employment in Canada.
Businesses may need to apply for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring a foreign national. A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is also needed for pre-approval in hiring many foreign nationals in one organisation. A positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will demonstrate that there is a demand for a foreign worker to perform the duties in an occupation, and no Canadian professional is available to fill the position.
The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a very comprehensive process. The documents must be completed with a high degree of accuracy, before submitting to Employment Social Development Canada (ESDC) for approval.
Contact Gonsalves & Inka for assistance through this legal maze.
As a business, you may need to apply for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before you can contract a Foreign National or get pre-approval to hire large numbers of Foreign Nationals. A positive LMIA will demonstrate that there is a demand for a Foreign National worker to perform the occupation you are offering and that there is no Canadian professional available to perform the occupation.
The NAFTA work permit allows citizens of Canada, the United States, and Mexico to gain rapid reciprocal entry into their countries for temporary business or investment reasons. These people do not need a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
NAFTA has four categories under which a foreign national may request authorization to work in Canada
1. Business visitors (no work permit required)
2. Professionals
3. Company transferees
4. Traders and investors
A business visitors primary source of income should remain outside Canada and are restricted from the Canadian Labour Market.
Professionals refer to Citizens of Mexico or the United States who have pre-arranged employment and are qualified to work with a Canadian employer.
Intra Company Transferee refers to citizens of Mexico or the United States who are employed in a position outside Canada and are seeking to be transferred to a parent company or subsidiary in Canada.
Investors and traders who meet all the requirements of this Canadian immigration program, along with their immediate family members, may obtain their Canadian permanent resident visas (so long as they are not found inadmissible for medical or security reasons).
