Canada Work Visa
Canada Work visas
Every year over 90,000 foreign workers enter Canada working temporarily to help Canadian employers address skill shortages in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) ensure that these workers will support economic growth in Canada and create more opportunities for all Canadian job seekers.
In almost all cases you must have a valid work permit to work in Canada.
These steps must be followed before you apply for a work permit:
- An employer must first offer you a job.
- HRDC must normally provide a labour market opinion or ‘confirmation’ of your job offer. However, some types of work are exempt from this process.
- After HRDC confirms that a foreign national may fill the job, you apply to CIC for your work permit.
You cannot immigrate with a work permit. If you want to come and live in Canada as a permanent resident based on your work skills or experience, see if you qualify for the Skilled Worker Program.
Canada immigration authorities have simplified the list of temporary and permanent visas for skilled and unskilled.
Federal Skilled Worker Canada visa
For professionals and skilled trades people
Provincial Nomination Program
For workers going to a specific province
Canadian Experience Class
For people who have already studied or worked in Canada
Quebec Skilled Worker
For people intending to live and work in Quebec
Business Class Immigration
For managers and business owners
Federal Skilled Worker Canada visa
One of the most popular routes for Immigration to Canada is the Federal Skilled Worker Class Visa, which seeks to attract immigrants with desirable business skills and work experience that will contribute to and further the economy.
This type of Work Visa for Canada works on a points-based system examining factors such as age, work experience, education and a migrant’s ability to adapt easily. There is a list of occupations which are currently in short supply in Canada. Ask us to find out if you are on that list.
A successful application for a Skilled Worker Visa will give a candidate the status of a permanent resident in Canada with the same rights as Canadian citizens except the right to vote. It will also afford them complete freedom to work in the country as they see fit.
For applicants who do not meet the points threshold there are still a range of business-based options. In Canada Visa applications for permanent residence are welcomed from potential migrants with the capital, ability and intention to set up businesses in the country.
Canadian Immigration under the business classes, often known as the Business Immigration Program offers opportunities in three categories for Investors, Entrepreneurs and those wishing to become Self Employed.
Visa for Canada under the Entrepreneur Program
Clients who apply for a Canadian working visa under the Entrepreneur program will need to purchase or invest in a commercial venture, which will contribute to the economy and create jobs for permanent Canadian residents or citizens outside the applicant and their family.
Clients who wish to go the self employed route must demonstrate the ability and intention to purchase or start a business which will provide employment for the applicant and will make a significant contribution to the economy or cultural life of the country. Farmers, artists, professional athletes and musicians fit into this category.
The Canadian Immigration Investor Programme
Those clients wishing to invest in the economy rather than establishing a business may pursue the Immigrant Investor Program.
In this case clients must make a minimum investment of $400,000 (CDN) to a government or province approved venture. They must also be able to demonstrate that they have successfully owned or operated a business, and have amassed a net worth of $800,000 (CDN) or more.
Clients may also wish to explore the Provincial Nomination program, which allows a province or employer, depending on the province selected, to nominate a limited amount of candidates and apply to the provincial government for sponsorship. A job offer under this route is based upon the candidate’s skills.
Unlike working permits, the provincial nomination scheme is a permanent Canadian Immigration option. In addition, it is important to note that clients are restricted to working in the province to which the submission was made.
Canadian Work Permit
Aside from the various options for permanent Immigration to Canada, Canada also offers a number of routes to visit or work in the country on a temporary basis.
Canadian Work Permits are issued when clients have a specific job offer on a temporary basis from a sponsoring company. A Canadian Work Permit depends upon you working solely for the employer making the offer and will only be issued for a position which could not be filled by a Canadian citizen.
Canadian Immigration
What are the requirements?
If you are an adult, you must:
- be 18 years of age or more
- be a permanent resident of Canada
- have lived in Canada for at least three of the four years before applying
- be able to communicate in English or French
- demonstrate knowledge about Canada and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
A child must:
- be a permanent resident of Canada (three year residency requirement not necessary)
You cannot become a Canadian citizen if:
- you are under a deportation order
- you have been charged with or convicted of an indictable criminal offence in the past few years
- you are or have recently been in prison or on probation
- you are under investigation for war crimes
- your citizenship has been revoked.
There are several ways for skilled workers and professionals to emigrate to Canada, either permanently or temporarily. Each category is marked on a points system with different pass marks according to the criteria.
Skilled Worker Class visa
There are thousands of opportunities in the Skilled Worker Class category that will lead to permanent residence. You can apply as an individual or through the Provincial Nominee Program.
Canada Business Class visa
If you are an Investor, Entrepreneur or are Self-Employed you can consider the Business Class category.
Family Class Canadian visa
To be eligible for the Family Class Canadian visa applicants must be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. A successful visa outcome depends on medical and security checks.
Canadian Experience Class visa
If you have recent Canadian work experience or have graduated from a Canadian educational institution you probably possess the qualities to successfully apply for the Canadian Experience Class visa, which leads to permanent Canadian citizenship. Canada wants to hold on to immigrants with work experience and knowledge of English or French.
Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed workers
Do you want to start your own business in Canada and have a CAD$400,000 investment? Or are you worth a minimum of CAD$300,000? If you are self-employed and have experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life in Canada or experience in farm management then this category of Canadian immigration might be for you.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) visa
Skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Canada under the PNP visa will have the skills, education and work experience to hit the ground running and make an immediate economic contribution to the Canadian way of life. To apply under the PNP, applicants must be nominated by a Canadian province or territory.
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