By September 2021, more than 92,000 people obtained a permit under the temporary foreign worker (TET) program, according to figures from Canada’s immigration, refugees and citizenship department. But who can work in Canada, and how does one obtain a work permit as a foreign national?
According to the Canadian government, working in Canada as a foreign national normally requires a work permit, although there are exceptions. For example, if you are a religious leader, an artist, public speaker or health care student.
In addition, the process will also depend on the type of permit you need, as Canada has two types:
Open work permit: this permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada. Among the people who can apply for an open work permit are eligible international students, students who cannot cover the costs of their studies, a dependent relative of someone who applied for permanent residence, the spouse or partner of a skilled worker or international student, refugees, among others.
Employer-specific work permit: This permit only allows you to work as stated on your work permit, which indicates the name of the employer you can work for, how long you can work for, and the place of work. For example, if you are an academic, work in a television or film production, are a professional athlete or an entrepreneur, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit.
The Canadian government website has a questionnaire that allows you to find out what type of work permit you need, depending on the work you intend to do.
Eligibility requirements for a work permit
Before being able to apply for a work permit, the applicant must have a job offer letter, a contract, a copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMA) and the LMA number.
According to the Canadian government, in most cases employers need an EIMT, a document required to hire foreign workers. However, there are job openings that are exempt from the labour market impact assessment. For example: if they are covered by an international agreement – such as CUSMA (Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada) or GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services), are covered by an agreement between Canada and a province or territory, or are exempt on “Canadian interest” grounds.
However, even if a job is exempt from an EIMT, the applicant must still meet the eligibility requirements for a work permit. Therefore, no matter what type of work is applied for and where it is applied for, the person must:
- Demonstrate that he or she will be leaving Canada when the work permit expires.
- Demonstrate that they have enough money to cover their own and their family’s expenses while in Canada and to return to their country of origin.
- Not have a history of criminal activity
- Not be a danger to the security of Canada
- Be in good health
- Not work for an employer listed as “ineligible”.
- Not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers strippers, lap dances, escort services or erotic massages
- Provide the officer with any documents requested to prove that he or she is able to enter the country.
- In order for a person to apply for an agricultural job in Canada, they must be eligible for a work permit and meet certain eligibility criteria.
If you are eligible for a work permit, you can apply online. Once submitted, you will need to provide your biometric data.
Venezuelan citizens may need to complete additional steps when completing their application. For example, if the printed expiration date of the passport has expired, it is possible to add 5 years by including an explanatory letter with the application stating: “I am a Venezuelan citizen with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.
How do I find a job vacancy?
The Canadian government has a labor exchange that lists Canadian employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers. The listed workers have already obtained or applied for an EIMT.
Covid-19 Restrictions
Due to the covid-19 pandemic, all travelers aged 5 years or older must present proof of a negative covid-19 test result in order to enter Canada.
Proof must be presented even if the person is fully vaccinated against covid-19. However, fully vaccinated temporary foreign workers are exempt from quarantine and eighth-day testing.
In response to the omicron variant of the coronavirus, the Government of Canada has banned entry to foreign nationals who have been in Botswana, Egypt, Swatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe 15 days prior to their arrival in the North American country.
Source: https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/