Canada is one of the developed countries of the world that provides great opportunities for study and work for foreigners. Working in Canada comes with a lot of financial benefits and career opportunities. With a solid financial system, there are less people without jobs in Canada compared to the United States and other parts of the world. Aside from the great working opportunities in the country, it is also a very good place to work and live. It attracts and accepts visitors from different parts of the world and to work in Canada, there is a need to obtain a work permit.
A Canadian work permit is usually offered to foreigners who come to live and work in the country. To be eligible for the work permit or work visa as it is also known, you will need to be offered employment from a Canadian employer. If you are interested in working in Canada, here are 10 things you must know about getting a Canadian work permit and the perks that come with being able to work freely in the country.
- You have to get employed
To be able to work in Canada, there is a need to obtain a work visa or work permit. To apply for the work visa, you have to get employed from a verified Canadian company or employer to qualify. You will be required to submit a letter of employment from your employer stating that you have been offered a job in their organization in Canada. Without getting employment, it is impossible to apply for a work permit in Canada.
- Submission of documents
Applying for a Canadian work permit may seem like a lot of work but once you have all the necessary documents and your employer is ready to comply with the rules, you may get a faster response for your application. Documents that required for your application includes:
- A letter of employment
- Proof of funds that you can use in the country before you get paid
- Proof of identification; passport and visa application form
- Legal documents to show that you do not have a criminal record
- Relationship status, whether married or single
- Number of dependents
- Dependent visa
Once you are eligible and qualify for a Canadian work visa, you can apply for a dependent visa to bring your family to the country. Your dependents can be your spouse, children or siblings and once you are able to work in Canada, they are also eligible to stay with you with a dependent visa. If you have children, they can also attend schools in Canada without necessarily requiring a separate study permit. If you are married, your spouse is also eligible to apply for their own work permit.
- No travel restrictions
With a Canadian work permit, you can travel to different parts of the country with no restriction. The work permit serves as your temporary residence permit to stay in the country. You can also make use of your work permit to access some other benefits in the country without facing any restrictions or being questioned by the authorities.
- Open work permit
The Canadian open work permit is a type of work permit that allows you to work in Canada for an employer who must be in compliance with the labor requirements of the country. Also, those with the work permit are not allowed to work with escort services, get involved in drugs and other dangerous activities. Violating the rules can result in the work permit holder getting deported and the permit revoked.
- Employer specific work permit
Another type of Canadian work permit that most foreigners are more likely to obtain is the employer specific work permit. Just as the title implies, it restricts the holder to a single employer or company and there are usually some conditions and terms which must be met in compliance with this work permit. Under this work permit, the employer may also need to obtain the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- Students are allowed to work
For international students to study in Canada they need to obtain a study permit and this also grants them the permission to work some hours during the duration of their study. Upon graduation, international students are granted the opportunity to apply for a work permit for a period of three years.
- Work visas can be used to apply for a permanent residence visa
Those with a work permit in Canada are also eligible to apply for a permanent residence visa provided they are able to meet all the requirements to qualify.
- Online of offline application
It is important to know that; you can apply for the Canadian work visa either online through its official website and register while submitting necessary documents. You can also choose to apply for the work permit offline by downloading application forms from its official website and then proceed to fill and submit them at the Canadian Visa Application Centre.
- It may take a while before you get your work permit
Once you have successfully applied for your Canadian work visa, the earliest you can get a response is in two months. Other times it may take a longer time up to nine months before a decision is made for your application. The duration of obtaining a work permit is also dependent on the area or state where you will like to work in the country. It is always advisable to start your application process earlier and make sure all documents submitted are updated and real.
To live and work freely in Canada, there is a need to apply and obtain a Canadian work permit. It is also easy to submit an application by visiting the official website to start an application. Canada offers so many career opportunities that are also financially rewarding. Thanks to the economic stability of the country, it has become a popular destination both for immigrants seeking to study or work in Canada. Although it may take a while before your application can be approved, it is advisable to start your processes early and notify your employer.
