Canada is a great country to earn a living for anyone seeking for career opportunities in foreign countries. Canada’s population is aging, and industries are expanding beyond the general population’s skill set. There are currently over a million job openings across Canada. As a result, Canada’s economy is dependent on skilled foreign workers coming over to fill the market’s massive vacancies.
One this page, we will be looking at how to get a Canadian work visa easily. This content will also be featuring types of work visas available in Canada and how to apply, list of high paying jobs as well as how to find good paying jobs in Canada as a foreigner/immigrant.
Before then, learning what Canadian work visa will give us a background insight on the topic under review. See below for details on what Canadian work visa really is.
What Is Canadian Work Visa
A Canadian work visa is a document issued by the Canadian government that allows foreign nationals to work in Canada temporarily. A work visa is typically tied to a specific job offer from a Canadian employer and is usually issued for a specific period of time. Work visas are issued based on the requirements of the job and the qualifications of the foreign worker.
To obtain a work visa, a foreign national must meet the eligibility requirements, such as having a job offer from a Canadian employer, obtaining a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA exemption, proving their qualifications, and meeting health and character requirements. The process of obtaining a work visa can vary depending on the type of visa and the country of origin of the applicant. As mentioned earlier, we will be walking you through all the steps required in securing a work visa regardless of your nationality. Before then, let’s look at types of work visa available for foreigners in Canada.
Types of Canadian Work Visa
Basically, there are several types of Canadian work visa available for immigrants who wish to work and live legally in Canada. Below, you will find a list of 7 popular ones;
- Temporary Work Permit: A temporary work permit allows a foreign national to work in Canada for a specific period of time, usually for up to two years.
- International Experience Canada (IEC) Visa: The IEC visa is a program that allows young people from certain countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years.
- NAFTA Work Permit: A NAFTA work permit is available to citizens of the United States and Mexico who work in certain designated occupations in Canada.
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa: An intra-company transfer visa is available to employees of a foreign company who are transferred to a Canadian branch of the company.
- Open Work Permit: An open work permit allows a foreign national to work for any Canadian employer without the need for a job offer or a specific employer.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit: A post-graduation work permit is available to international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and wish to work in Canada.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Work Permit: A PNP work permit is available to foreign nationals who have been nominated by a Canadian province or territory for permanent residence and are awaiting the processing of their application.
Is Canadian Work Visa Required for Foreigners to Work in Canada?
In most cases, foreign nationals require a Canadian work visa to work in Canada. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you are a foreign national who is exempt from the work visa requirement, you may be able to work in Canada without a work visa. Some examples of situations where a work visa may not be required include:
- International Experience Canada (IEC) Program: The IEC program allows young people from certain countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years without a work visa.
- NAFTA or CUSMA Professionals: Citizens of the United States and Mexico who are professionals in certain designated occupations may be able to work in Canada without a work visa.
- Intra-company Transfers: Employees of a foreign company who are transferred to a Canadian branch of the company may be able to work in Canada without a work visa.
- International Mobility Program: Certain foreign workers who are participating in a cultural or economic exchange program may be able to work in Canada without a work visa.
However, in most cases, a work visa is required for foreign nationals to work in Canada. The type of work visa required will depend on the nature of the work and the individual’s qualifications.
Just like in every other fields, one can’t just obtain a Canada work permit without passing through some quality checks that will determine it worthiness.
Below, we list out major work visa requirements for immigrants that will enable you travel, live and work legally in Canada without any legal issues.
Canada Work Visa Requirements for Foreigners
To be eligible for a Canadian work visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Job offer from a Canadian employer: It is required that an applicant for a Canadian work visa already secure an employment in Canada and have been issued a job offer from a Canadian employer. Without this basic requirement, a work visa cannot be issued to a foreigner.
- Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or LMIA exemption: Your Canadian employer must obtain an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in most cases. However, there are some LMIA exemptions, such as for intra-company transfers, certain professions, and working holiday programs.
- Proof of qualifications: Even though, you have been issued a job offer from a Canadian employer, you must possess a document or skill to back up your claim that you are qualified for the job which you have been issued an employment offer. In most cases, educational certificate and work experience are used to evaluate your claim.
- Language proficiency: You must be able to speak and understand English or French, as these are the official languages of Canada. You may be required to take a language test to prove your proficiency.
- Good health and character: You must undergo a medical examination and provide a police certificate to prove that you have a clean criminal record.
- Proof of funds: You must have enough money to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada. The amount of money required depends on the number of family members and the length of your stay. However, there are cases where this is usually exempted most especially if you are being offered a sponsorship visa by the employer in Canada.
- Admissibility: You must not be inadmissible to Canada for any reason, such as criminality, security, or health concerns.
It is also important to note that the eligibility requirements may vary depending on the type of work visa you are applying for, such as a temporary work permit, a NAFTA work permit, or an open work permit.
Having looked at the requirements for obtaining a Canadian work visa as an immigrant/foreigner, let’s proceed to detailed guide on how to successfully apply for a Canada work visa.
How to Apply for Canadian Work Visa
Before applying for a work visa, you should have already secure a job offer from a Canadian employer. Now these are the next steps involve;
Determine the Type of Canadian Work Visa to Apply for
Earlier, we mention 7 various types of Canadian work visa available for foreigners who wish to work in Canada.
For someone interested in obtaining a Canadian work visa, it is important to seek for consultation on the type of work visa you will be applying for that suit the job offer you receive from a Canadian employer. You can scroll above to locate where we give a detailed insight on each of the visa types. This will help you determine the right work visa that will suit your job offer.
Obtain a Work Visa Application Form
Having decide on type of work visa required for your job offer, you can head to the Canadian embassy in your country to obtain a work permit application form.
Completely Fill the Application Form
After obtaining the application form, you are required to completely fill the work visa application form with correct details about yourself, your employer and of course your job offer. You will be asked to make a payment for other supporting document.
Submit and Wait for Feedback
Now that you are done filling the form, you are required to submit to the appropriate office. However, it is important that you cross-check the details provided for possible correction as you may not have access to the document after submission.
It usually takes the embassy 2 weeks to access and approve your visa however, it may take over a month which is dependent on how you rigorously follow-up your application.
Congratulations “Welcome to Canada”
After the assessment for your Canadian work visa application, the embassy will either accept or reject. If accepted, it means that you can successfully move to Canada for your new job.
Below you will find a list of some entry level jobs available for foreigners in Canada.
List of Entry Level Jobs in Canada
- Teaching
- Nursing
- Software Developer
- Business Analyst
- Cardiologist
- Veterinarian
- Store Manager
How to Find High Paying Jobs in Canada as a Foreigner
There are several ways of finding high paying jobs in Canada for immigrants or foreigners living in other countries outside Canada. Below, you will find 3 effective ways for finding jobs in Canada;
Online Job Search
One of the most popular ways to find jobs in Canada is to search online. There are many job search websites and job boards that are specifically tailored for the Canadian job market, such as ZumaFOX, Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn. You can search for jobs by location, industry, and keywords, and apply directly to the job postings online.
Networking
Networking is another effective way to find jobs in Canada. Joining professional associations, attending industry events and career fairs, and connecting with people on LinkedIn can help you build connections with potential employers and learn about job opportunities. It’s important to have a well-written resume and cover letter, and to prepare for interviews in advance.
Canadian Government Programs
The Canadian government offers various programs to help foreign workers find jobs in Canada. The Job Bank website is a good resource for job listings, and the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Express Entry, and Provincial Nominee Programs are designed to help skilled foreign workers immigrate to Canada and find employment. It’s important to research the eligibility requirements and application process for each program before applying.