7 steps to get Canada temporary foreign worker permit

Canada’s immigration programs offer over 100 different pathways for foreign nationals to work in the country temporarily. Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows foreign workers to come to work in Canada in many areas. These include:

• Agriculture
• Accommodation and Food Services
• Health Care and Social Assistance
• Retail Trade, and also
• Manufacturing

See also Canada to open door to more temporary foreign workers.

The following are the steps to get Canada temporary foreign worker permit.

Step 1: Do I need a work permit to work in my job in Canada?

The first thing is to check if you need a temporary foreign worker permit to work temporarily in Canada. You usually need a work permit to do any work in Canada. However, in some cases, you can work without a permit.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a tool you can use to quickly check if you can work in Canada without a permit. Use the tool on IRCC’s webpage at Do you need a work permit to work in Canada?

Step 2: Am I eligible for temporary foreign worker permit?

The basic eligibility requirements are that you must:

But regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, you must

• prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires;
• show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home;
• obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (IRCC may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate);
• not be a danger to Canada’s security;
• be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed;
• not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions;
• not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; and also
• give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

See also Canada TOEFL Requirements for international students and immigration.

Step 3: Should I apply online or by paper?

Due to COVID-19, most applicants now need to apply online for a work permit.

IRCC has a web tool that enables you to answer a few questions to find out how to apply. Go to their How to apply for Canada temporary foreign worker permit.

Step 4: Apply for the right work permit for your situation

There are 2 types of work permits.

Employer-specific work permit

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as

• the name of the specific employer you can work for
• how long you can work
• the location where you can work (if applicable)

Before you apply for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must give you

• a copy of your employment contract
• 1 of the following:
  • a copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
  • an offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt workers)
    • To get this number, your employer must use the Employer Portal.

If your employer does not need to use the Employer Portal to submit an offer of employment, they must give you a copy of the employment contract.

Open work permit

An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada, except for one that

• is listed as ineligible on IRCC’s list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
• regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages

You can only get an open work permit in specific situations.

Not sure which one you should get? Go to IRCC’s website to fFind out what type of work permit you need for your situation.

Step 5: Get positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from your employer

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker.

A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job. It will also show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter.

Your employer should check if it needs an LMIA, and how to apply for one.

Once your employer gets the LMIA, you can apply for a Canada foreign temporary worker permit.

In brief, to apply for the work permit, you need:

• the job offer letter
• a contract
• a copy of the LMIA, and also
• the LMIA number

Step 6: Get written temporary job offer from your employer

Applicants for Canada temporary work permit must have a temporary job offer from their potential employer. The offer should be in writing and must detail the job requirements and terms.

The job offer letter must prove that the job offer is genuine. It must also show that the wages and working conditions are high enough to attract a Canadian worker.

The job offer letter must also include:

• the job title for the job being offered;
• a description of the job’s duties and responsibilities;
• requirements for the job concerning: education, professional credentials, work experience, skills and licenses;
• details about the start date and end date of the job;
• details on salary and the way in which salary will be paid;
• the name and address of the employer;
• the address of the worker’s future workplace;
• contact information for a person at the company who is familiar with the job offer.

The applicant must then attach the job offer letter to their foreign temporary worker permit application.

Step 7: Make and submit your application for Canada temporary foreign worker permit

Once you have all eligibility requirements and documentation, make your application on the IRCC website at Application for Foreign Worker Permit.

See also Canada to open door to more temporary foreign workers.