Canada Work Permit

Canadian work visas are issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Amidst a labor market shortage, TFWP aims to help Canadian employers recruit foreign workers. There are four streams in the TFWP: High-Skilled Workers, Low-Skilled Workers, Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, and the Live-In Caregiver Program. Before arriving in Canada under the TFWP, foreign workers must have an approved job offer and work permit.

IRCC works with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure that foreign workers do not take up jobs available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Canadian employers intending to employ a foreign worker must obtain pre-approval by applying for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

In some cases, foreign workers may qualify to work in Canada without an LMIA under various programs, such as the International Mobility Program.

Canadav.com, in conjunction with internal recruitment firm SkilledWorker, frequently assists employers and job seekers in the recruitment process, securing appropriate LMIA, and applying for Canadian work permits and related Canadian visas.

The family of a TFWP work permit holder may come with them to Canada.

All family members must complete their application forms, but they can be submitted together.

If a family member wants to work in Canada, they will need their own work permit.

In some cases, spouses or common-law partners are eligible for an open work permit. If a temporary foreign worker’s children want to study in Canada, they will need a study permit.

An open work permit allows its holder to work in any job with any employer with limited exceptions. It also means that the employer does not need an LMIA.

The spouse’s eligibility for an open work permit depends on the skill level of the temporary foreign worker.

The spouse of a highly skilled foreign worker can be eligible for an open work permit, provided that the foreign worker is authorized to work in Canada for at least 6 months.

The spouse of a low-skilled worker will only be eligible to obtain an open work permit through an active pilot project.

Dependent children are only eligible to obtain an open work permit through an active pilot project.

Canadian employers wishing to hire a temporary foreign worker, or candidates whom a Canadian employer has offered a job, must complete our free online assessment to assess your needs.