Work in Canada

Are you trying to find out more information on how to get a work permit in Canada? If you fall under either of the two categories below, keep reading to learn about what you should do next:

You’re a foreign worker who wants to work in Canada
You’re a Canadian business looking to hire a foreign worker

Do I Need a Work Permit?

Normally, a foreign national cannot work in Canada without a work permit. However, there are some cases in which it is not required. This is dependent on the job you have and if you meet certain conditions.

Let’s say you discover that you do need a permit – now you must navigate how to get a work permit in Canada. No worries! All you have to do is check if you require a Labour Market Assessment (LMIA) or if you are LMIA-except.

LMIA – Except Work Permit

When is an LMIA not Required?

In certain cases, you may not require an LMIA. This could be the case if you fall under certain provisions such as an International Mobility Program like USMCA (earlier known as NAFTA).

Other ways to be LMIA – Except

There are also certain programs set in place that do not require an LMIA:

Intra-Company Transfers as a Professional
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
Spousal Work Permit
Bridging Open Work Permit

In most of these situations, a valid job offer and an employer-specific work permit is required to work in Canada. The employers must also submit an offer of employment before a work permit can be submitted. In other situations, such as PGWP applications, you can possibly get away without a job offer if open work permits are being issued. This can happen if:

You are applying for the work permit of a full-time international student’s spouse
You are applying for the work permit of a skilled foreign worker’s spouse

LMIA Based Work Permit

Under the temporary foreign worker program, you can apply to work in Canada only if you have a job offer and your employer has received LMIA approval. A positive LMIA means that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job.

Important: The employer must have made recruitment efforts to hire a Canadian worker or PR as required under the program before submitting an LMIA application.

Now you know how to get a work permit in Canada! If you have any questions for us, reach out today! Takkara is here to help.

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