To live in Canada as a foreign national, most of the time, you need to find a job to work there first, which requires a Canada work visa. Although getting a job before you move to Canada is not always a requirement, it does help you to appear more eligible for a visa, as it shows that you can contribute to the Canadian economy.
Since Canada has one of the strongest economies globally and an unemployment rate of only 8 percent, which is projected to be as low as 6.5 percent in 2026, job opportunities are and will continue to increase. This promises even greater prospects for the Great White North, which is why many people want to immigrate to Canada.
If you get a job offer in Canada as a foreign national, consider it an opportunity that you cannot refuse because it can be a very beneficial move for your career and improve you and your family’s quality of life.
There are two main types of work permits, under which there is also a category of work visas. You must have a work permit and work visa to immigrate to Canada for work purposes. The two work permits include:
This work permit is not a job-specific option, which means that you can work for any Canadian employer. It also exempts you from requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to qualify for a Canadian work visa. Who is it for? Eligible foreign nationals that want to work in Canada in the occupation and for the employer of their choice.
A work permit that allows foreign nationals to work for a specific employer in Canada, according to conditions and limitations detailed in the work permit. This work permit limits a foreign national to one employer at a specific location, with a duration of employment, whom they are authorized to work for and comply with. It also requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Who is it for? This work permit is for anyone that wants to work for a specific employer in a set province and for a specified duration. Types of Canadian Work Visas
To get a Canadian work visa, you must show that you are competent to perform the job duties that are required in the job offered to you. For skilled positions, this can be proved by providing a copy of education credentials. To show that your work experience is valid, you can also submit reference letters from each of your previous employers.
With this, you will also be required to have an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) to show that your qualifications meet Canada’s standards. Additionally, you will need to provide supporting documents, depending on the type of work permit you are applying for. Types of Canadian work visas include:
The IMP was created to help Canadian employers hire skilled international workers on a temporary or permanent basis without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This work visa is primarily issued for jobs that Canadian employers failed to fill with existing residents in the country.
Given that it created a need to hire foreign working professionals, the program was also designed to fill Canada’s labour market needs, which presented the opportunity for foreign nationals to get jobs in Canada. This includes both temporary and permanent jobs at every skill level.
Although the IMP can give foreign nationals a temporary work visa, it can give you a window to eventually apply for permanent residency through several programs, including one of the federal economic programs or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), all of which are under the Express Entry System.
International Mobility Programs (IMPs) include:
To apply for the IMP, you need a Canadian job offer, apply for a work permit, and have a travel visa to enter Canada.
As a very popular Canada work visa, the working holiday visa forms a part of the International Experience Class (IEC), which allows you the opportunity to live in Canada and work part-time while traveling the country. The work visa program is made available to citizens from 34 different countries that have a consensual youth mobility arrangement with Canada.
The temporary work visa can last between 12 to 24 months. This depends on your country of residence. It is ideal for adventurous young adults that would like to experience Canada without settling down in the country permanently. By gaining part-time work experience in Canada, however, does increase your chances to get a permanent visa, should you wish to apply for one after your working holiday visa expires.
The application process for this visa program includes the following steps:
This work visa program was designed for Canadian employers to hire foreign national skilled workers for a variety of jobs in Canada. A crucial part of the application process for the TFWP is to apply for an LMIA because there were not any Canadian residents available to apply for the job position. For this reason, Canadian employers often need to hire foreign nationals through this program.
To qualify for this program, an applicant must submit a copy of the LMIA with their work permit application. If your potential Canadian employer does not want an LMIA, you can apply for a work visa through the International Mobility Program (IMP).
Some of the most popular TFWP streams support Canadian employers’ hiring needs, which is why there is a list of requirements that must be met to assemble a successful LMIA application for the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
TFWP streams differ based on the wages that are offered to workers and their skill level, which is determined by the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
The different TFWP streams include:
To qualify for any of the above-mentioned TFWP streams, you must meet specific requirements, including have the following:
If you would like to study in Canada, you can gain permanent residency faster compared to most other work visa program options. The PGWP helps foreign students that have completed a qualification from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to live and work in Canada. As an international student under the PGWP in Canada, you can receive an open-work permit. It will allow you to work either part-time or full-time for a Canadian employer.
This study and work visa program will allow you to work for as many hours as you like. The permit is also valid for eight months to three years. Although this is a good opportunity to live in Canada permanently, it is not recommended if you are looking to build up work experience.
International students that find employment in any occupation classified as highly skilled or under the NOC 0, A, or B types will be eligible to claim Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points if they apply through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
A Canadian work permit and work visa go hand in hand to secure your stay in the Great White North. If you wish to work in one of the greatest countries in the world, you require the Canada work visa with a work permit to protect your right as a foreign national to work and live in the country. With it, you are also protected under Canadian labour laws.
Since it allows foreigners to have all the documentation needed to move to and get jobs in Canada, it is essential and will give you peace of mind to legally live and work in Canada.
If you are interested to learn more about the different types of work permits and visas, or to check if you are eligible for either one, you can get in touch with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is based on the following factors:
Provincial Nomination (600 Points)
600 points are awarded for an enhanced Nominee certificate from a province in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Job Offers (50-600 Points)
A Canadian job offer will also earn you points; the number of points is based on the NOC level of the particular job.
Core Human Capital Factors (600 Points)
These take into account your level of education, for example:
If you intend to gain higher qualifications, your score will increase. This same point system applies to your legal partner or spouse if you applied together.
Language (150 Points)
Improving your language skills in either English or French through a recognized Canadian institution can also raise your CRS score.
Work Experience
The more experience you have, the more points you earn. This also applies to your legal partner or spouse.
You must:
You must register with the Canadian Job Bank within 30 days unless:
You must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to earn Comprehensive Ranking System points, unless you:
If you qualify for any of the Federal Programs, you have 30 days from when you submit your profile to complete the rest of the requirements like registering with the Job Bank. If you do not, your Express Entry profile cannot be activated.
There are three programs to apply for under Express Entry:
The following factors affect your eligibility:
Work Experience
You must:
Language Ability
You must:
Education
You must:
Proof of Funds
You must prove you can support yourself and your family financially, unless:
Additional Factors to Be Considered
This program is aimed at people who wish to become permanent residents (PR) of Canada. This only applies to people who qualify in a skilled trade.
Minimum Requirements
You must:
Skilled Work Experience
These skilled trades are involved in the Federal Skilled Trades Program as ranked by the National Occupational Classification.
Group Number | Job Description |
---|---|
72 | Industrial, construction or electrical trades |
73 | Equipment operation and maintenance |
82 | Technical and supervisors in:
|
92 | Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor Central control operators |
632 | Cooks and chefs |
633 | Bakers and butchers |
Education
You do not need a specific qualification for this program, but you can earn more CRS points if you have:
Language Ability
Be assessed by the province or territory
Each of the provinces or territories have different requirements for the skilled trade industry.
Minimum Requirements
You must:
Skilled Work Experience
Work experience must be gained in the following job levels based on the National Occupational Classifications.
Job Description | Skill Type |
---|---|
Technical jobs | B |
Skilled trades | B |
Professional jobs | A |
Managerial jobs | 0 |
Education
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if you:
Language Ability
To qualify you must score well in the various language tests determined by the CEC.
Canadian Language Benchmark Score Needed | Job Level (NOC) |
---|---|
7 | 0 |
7 | A |
5 | B |
The language test must be approved by IRCC and must not be older than two years when you apply.
Note:work experience gained as a student or a self-employed individual does not count.
Work experience must be within three years of applying for the Canadian Experience Class. Work experience must be gained in the following job levels as based on National Occupational Classifications.
Job description | Skill Type |
---|---|
Technical jobs | B |
Skilled trades | B |
Professional jobs | A |
Managerial jobs | 0 |
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if:
Note: Only apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your foreign education is either equal to, or higher than the Canadian education standard.
To qualify you must score well in:
Canadian Language Benchmark score needed | Job level (NOC) |
---|---|
7 | 0 |
7 | A |
5 | B |
The Language Test must be approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada .These tests are based off your French and English ability to:
Your test results must be included if you are applying for this program through the Express Entry program. Note: these tests must not be older than two years when you apply.
When you apply for the Express Entry, and want to immigrate with your common law partner, you must choose who will be the principal applicant.
Note: a common law partner is a person who has been married to you for one year. This applies for same sex and opposite sex partners.
Choose the principal applicant by looking at who will score the highest points under the Express Entry program.
You may be inadmissible if you are:
Note:under the Express Entry you can apply to live in other provinces/territories in Canada, except Quebec. This province has its own set of requirements needed for you to enter.
These are the factors that are used to calculate CRS Points
A legal agent is an authorized representative that must be:
Note: An unauthorized agent will not be able to help you with your application.
If you want to ensure that your Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is an authorized consultant, you can check with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
The ICCRC’s website has a register of all the persons that are qualified to be Canadian Immigration Consultants. Any individual who claims to be a legal consultant will have a RCIC code. If there are no results for a person’s RCIC code, then they are not a legal Canadian Immigration Consultant.
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If you are married provide following documents for your spouse and dependent child whether they are
accompanying or not:
Please note that CIC provide us 60 days to submit 2nd stage documentation from the date of Invitation
and we may take up to 7 business day to submit from the date of receipt of all documents from you.
So kindly start collecting all documents beforehand.
Your all education documents after 12th class. If your diploma, certificate or degree
was not issued in Canada, you must also provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
You must show that you have at least 12 months of full-time work experience within the 36
months before your application.
You must provide the following documents of you and your spouse:
Submit bank statement or balance certificate to prove you have enough funds to settle in
Canada.
**All documents in a language other than English or French must be translated. Provide both a
photocopy of the document and the translation in English or French. **