Work

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Do You Wish to Work in Canada?

Two work permits exist in Canada: a closed work permit (working for a specific employer) and an open work permit (working for any employer, but with conditions). In most cases, to apply for a closed work permit, you must have previously received a job offer from a Canadian company willing to support you in every step of your application.
This work permit is issued exclusively to students who have completed full-time studies and graduated from a Canadian program lasting at least eight months. Usually, it is given for the same period of the time of the lenght of the studies. As it is an open work permit, you are able to work for any employer.
This work permit is issued exclusively to citizens aged between 18 and 35 (some exceptions apply) whose originally from the countries listed below. It allows you to explore the beauties of Canada while working for any employer during their stay. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for an open work permit lasting up to 24 months:

− Australia
− France
− Ireland
− Portugal
− United Kingdom (for citizens aged between 18 and 30) Citizens of the countries below are eligible for an open work permit lasting up to 12 months:
− Germany − Andorra (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Austria (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Belgium (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Chile (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Korea (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Costa Rica
− Croatia
− Denmark
− Spain
− Estonia
− Greece
− Hong Kong (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Japan (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Latvia
− Lithuania
− Mexico (citizens aged between 18 and 29)
− Norway
− New Zealand
− Netherlands (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Poland
− The Czech Republic
− San Marino
− Slovakia
− Sweden (citizens aged between 18 and 30)
− Taiwan
− Ukraine Citizens of the countries below are eligible for an open work permit lasting up to 6 months:
– Italy
This work permit is issued exclusively to spouses or common-law partners of a full-time student in Canada or a skilled worker who already holds a closed work permit within a specific company.
This work permit is issued exclusively to spouses or common-law partners of a Canadian citizen or permanent citizen with an ongoing permanent residency (sponsorship) application previously submitted inside of Canada. The processing time is approximately 6-7 months.
This work permit is issued to people who have applied and are awaiting processing for their permanent residence under one of these programs: Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration, Quebec Immigrant Investor, or Quebec Entrepreneur. An applicant can apply for this work permit only once the application has fully been verified and he/she has received its ”official” (and not the temporary) acknowledgement.
Besides all the programs addressed above, other kinds of open work permits are issued in Canada: open work permits for vulnerable workers, religious personnel, Canadian athletes, or open work permit for humanitarian reasons. Get in touch with us to know if you are eligible for one of these open work permits!
Are You Eligible for an Open Work Permit?
An open work permit enables you to work for any employer. It means the employer has no obligation to justify labour shortage within his company or to support you in your procedures. However, some conditions still occur.
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A holder of this work permit can only work for a specific employer. In other words, you can only work for the company supporting you during your procedures.

How does it work?

  1. 1. You must find a Canadian employer currently struggling with a labour shortage and in need of your skills.
  2. 2. The employer must submit a Labor Market Impact Assessment and prove that he is struggling in finding Canadian employees.
  3. 3. You must apply for a Québec Acceptance Certificate and prove that you are capable of accomplishing the tasks and responsibilities of the role.
  4. 4. When steps A, B, and C are completed (which can take up to 4-5 months), you can apply for your work permit.

This work permit is granted exclusively to people currently living in Quebec and selected by the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and the Quebec Experience Progam (PEQ). It allows you to work for a specific employer while waiting for the process of your permanent residency application. Although a valid job offer is mandatory, this work permit does not require the employer to go through the LMIA procedures, which means the employer does not have to demonstrate his recruitment efforts or struggles to fill positions with local workers.

Similar to the Working Holiday Permit, a Canadian closed work permit for young professionals and international Co-op (internship) participants is issued to citizens aged between 18 and 35 whose originally from specific countries. Although a valid job offer is mandatory, this work permit does not require the employer to go through the LMIA procedures, which means the employer does not have to demonstrate his recruitment efforts or struggles to fill positions with local workers.

This work permit is granted exclusively to candidates who :

– uses French as a habitual language in their everyday life.

– will work in a province outside of Quebec.

– is fully skilled regarding the NOC level 0, A or B, which means management jobs, professional jobs, or technical or skilled trades.

– has already received a job offer.

Although a valid job offer is mandatory, this work permit does not require the employer to go through the LMIA procedures, which means the employer does not have to demonstrate his recruitment efforts or struggles to fill positions with local workers.

Due to international agreements, citizens of specific countries are allowed to work in Canada, even without the need of an employer to submit the LMIA process. The following agreements are for business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, traders, and investors:

– the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA),

– the Canada-Chile FTA,

– the Canada-Peru FTA,

– the Canada-Colombia FTA,

– the Canada-Korea FTA.

Are You Eligible for a Closed Work Permit?

The closed work permit requires that the employer has previously made you an offer of employment. Depending on the circumstances, your employer may be required to file an application for a Market Impact Assessment to demonstrate that your hiring is necessary and that it would not adversely affect the employment of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

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