Different Types of Work Permit in Canada

Working in Canada

Being able to work Canada is beneficial for many foreign nationals who have a hard time finding work in their country of origin. By having the ability to legally work in Canada , foreign national may have more opportunity to thrive and grow. If these circumstances sound like the situation you’re facing, it is likely you may want to apply for a Canadian work permit. In this blog, you will learn about different types of work permit, so you may apply for one that is suitable for you.

Canadian Work Permit Eligibility

You will need to ensure you are eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit prior to starting your application. In order to be eligible, you cannot be inadmissible to Canada for any reason. In addition to this, you must also meet all other requirements. For example, you need to prove to an immigration officer you will leave Canada when your permit expires. You also need to demonstrate you are in good health, and will not place excessive demand on Canadian social services. Last but not least, you will also need to meet all the specific requirements for the work permit you intend to apply for.

Types of Work Permit

Open Work Permit
An open work permit is not a job specific permit that allows you to work for any eligible employer in Canada. That being said, the application process for an open work permit does not require as much information as a regular work permit. If you are applying for an open work permit, you are just applying for general permission to work anywhere in Canada. As a result, the application for an open work permit does not require the individual to submit a valid labor market impact assessment (LMIA) number and a job offer.

Open Spousal Work Permits
If you and your Canadian spouse are applying for inland spousal sponsorship, and you wish to work while you wait for the decision on your permanent residency application, you may be eligible to apply for an open work permit.

Bridging Open Work Permit
A bridging open work permit allows you to legally work in Canada while waiting for a decision on your permanent residency application. There are very specific requirements you must meet to be eligible for a bridging open work permit, though. Consequently, you will need to examine your specific situations to find out if you are eligible for a bridging open work permit.

Student Co-op Work Permit
If you are a student in Canada and are enrolled in a program of study which requires you to complete a co-op term, you are allowed to do so by applying for a co-op student work permit. Essentially, this is an open work permit which allows you to be employed wherever the school places you.

Post-Graduate Work Permits
A post-graduate work permit allows individuals who have recently graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution to legally work in Canada.

Employer Specific Work Permit
An employer specific work permit allows you to pursue a specific work opportunity in Canada. If you are applying for an employer specific work permit, you will need to include all the above information in your application for a work permit, which will be requested in the “details of intended work in Canada” section.

NAFTA Work Permit/ Other Free Trade Agreement Permits
Individuals from the United States, Mexico or Canada may be eligible for a NAFTA work permit. The purpose of a NAFTA work permit is to facilitate temporary entry for business persons who are citizens of the U.S., Mexico and Canada and who are involved in the trade of goods or services, or in investment activities. Similar to NAFTA, Canada has an agreement with Chile, Colombia, Peru and Korea. These are all Free Trade Agreements (FTA).
The international agreements can impact the way employees of certain organizations can migrate for work. If you believe your organization may be impacted by an international agreement, we invite you to contact Akrami and Associates. Akrami and Associates will help you assess your specific situation.

Which Work Permit Should I Apply For

The type of work permit you should apply for depends on your specific situation. To start off, you may eliminate the circumstances which clearly do not apply to you. For example, if you are not from Mexico, the USA, Chile, Peru, Colombia or Korea, you may not be eligible to apply for NAFTA Work Permit/ Other Free Trade Agreement Permits. Alternatively, if you are not eligible for an open work permit, you must apply for an employer specific work permit instead.

Contact Akrami and Associates

There is an over whelming amount of information to consider when applying to work within Canada. It can be very confusing trying to assess your specific circumstances and get all the things you need in your application ready and submitted properly, to give yourself the best chance of being allowed to work in Canada. Should you have any further questions or feel confused or unclear about how to apply for a work permit, it is important to talk about any questions you may have and discuss your concerns. Akrami & Associates would be more than happy to assist you with obtaining your work permit. Feel free to contact our office at 416-477-2545 for more information, or if you want to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice. At Akrami & Associates, we have submitted many successful work permits and have helped our clients gain exceptional job and career experience for their future.