Visitors have more time to apply for work permits within Canada
The federal government of Canada is extending temporary measure in terms of allowing temporary residents with job offers to apply for their work permits without leaving the country (Canada) keeping in mind travel restrictions faced by many people due to COVID 19. According to recent news reports, foreign skilled workers, immigrants and professionals in Canada having visitor status will now be able to benefit from the temporary policy from April 1, 2021, till August 31, 2021.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (External Link) introduced this temporary measure on August 24, 2020 and it was supposed to end on March 31, 2021. Under this revised temporary measure related to Canada work permit, the IRCC will allow visitor visa holders with job offers to stay in Canada and start working before their work permit gets approved. This means that such candidates are no longer required to return to their home country before join job or occupation in Canada.
Who are Eligible Under Revised Temporary Measure on Canada Work Permit?
It is important to note that the eligibility criteria have been modified in order to allow candidates having visitor visa status and have a valid job offer to apply for employer specific work permit irrespective of the date/month of their arrival in Canada.
Earlier, visitors (candidates) were supposed to apply for their initial or temporary work permits before landing in Canada. Candidates, who used to have visitor visa status and got their work permit approved, were supposed to leave Canada for their home country or some other destination before joining work opportunity (or Canadian employer) in order to activate Canada work permit.
Coming into effect from Thursday, April 1, 2021, these temporary measures will benefit applicants, who fulfil below-mentioned eligibility criteria –
- Must have valid status in Canada as a visitor on the day they apply for Canada work permit
- Must have stayed in Canada in past months with legal/valid status
- Must have a valid job offer from authentic Canadian employer
- Must submit an in-Canada application for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a copy of positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA exempt offer of employment, latest by August 31, 2021
- Must fulfil all other standard eligibility criteria, such as medical and criminal checks and so on
The temporary measure also allows applicants, who had a valid work permit in the past 12 months, to join work opportunities under new Canadian employer before their work permit application is fully approved by the authorities. In order to join new jobs in Canada, applicants need to follow certain steps on how to get authorization to work or secure work permit while they wait for it in Canada.
The first step after applying for Canada work permit is to contact IRCC visa the webform. Experts suggest applicants to carefully read all instructions and terms given on the official website. This will help them to understand basic conditions they need to fulfil and how they can meet all eligibility criteria before joining new work place in Canada without returning to their home country.
This revised policy will greatly help foreign skilled workers, trained, youth, international graduates, professionals, who got stuck in Canada last year as visitors. With the able guidance and suggestions from trusted Canada immigration consultant, they can secure LMIA approved Canada work permit and various work opportunities sponsored by Canadian employers. This step will help them save time, money, energy and resources.
This temporary measure will help candidates having visitor visa status and those who had come to Canada during COVID 19 pandemic and got stuck in the country due to travel restrictions later on. If visitors have received valid job offers during this period, then they are allowed to directly join the work after securing Canada work permit instead of leaving Canada before officially joining new Canadian employer. This measure will remain effective till August 31, 2021.
Since March 2020, Canada’s borders have been closed to visitors, except for people having valid reason like reuniting with family.
It is important to note that more than 1,000 candidates having visitor visa status have applied for Canada work permit through this revised measure which was originally launched last year.
What is Canada Work Permit?
The Canada work permit is a legal permission or authorization granted to foreign skilled and semi-skilled workers, immigrants and professionals to work and stay in specific Canadian province for a fixed time period provided they have valid job offer supported by a copy of positive LMIA. In order to hire right and ideal candidates as well as to fulfil demands of labour markets, industrial units and other domains, the Canadian employers must get Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Identifying authentic Canadian employer having a copy of positive LMIA and looking for efficient and right candidate for job offer is difficult task. Hence, candidates must get support and guidance from reliable immigration consultant like Key Global Immigration Services to get in touch with such employers and receive valid job offers.
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) issued to Canadian employers by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) shows that ideal candidates among Canadian citizens and residents are not available to perform skilled jobs. The Canadian employers receive LMIA after publishing the job vacancy in different publications, newspapers, magazines, job portals and other platforms for certain period. After fulfilling norms and conditions of ESDC, the Canadian employers receive a copy of LMIA mentioning name of candidate (skilled worker) and details related to the employment. Hence LMIA based work permit is the safest and surest way to fulfil dreams of working and staying in Canada.
Also Read – Ways To Check Authenticity of Job Offer Letters For Canada
It is well known fact that Canada depends on foreign skilled workers, immigrants, international graduates and professionals to run its economy, industries and fulfil demands of labour markets. Owing to growing number of ageing population and people reaching age of retirement, the country welcomes foreign skilled workers, professionals and immigrants to fulfil demands of labour market and industries in various Canadian provinces. One of the safest and surest pathways to work and stay is securing work permit since it ensures getting valid job offer along with endorsement by Canadian employer in the form of LMIA, hence it is safe gateway to build a stable career in Canada.
According to some recent news reports, Canada work permit has many advantages and it will be provide several opportunities to foreign skilled workers this year. Some of the reasons for increasing demand are –
- Canada is planning to grant around 401,000 Permanent Residence visa in 2021, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023.
- In the past, the country invited more than 400,000 skilled workers in 1913. The government never designed a plan to invite such a huge number of foreign skilled workers and immigrants since then.
- According to news reports, the 2021-2023 immigration plan of federal government of Canada aims to welcome around 60% of the total immigrants or 1.2 million immigrants and foreign skilled workers under its federal Express Entry and other the Provincial Nominee Programs.
- Canada is known to welcome and treat immigrants and foreign skilled workers with respect and dignifies manner. It offers various social and welfare schemes to immigrants and their families.
It shows that Canada requires skilled and semi-skilled workers, immigrants, professionals and trained youth, who wish to work hard and efficiently in order to contribute towards the country’s economy and fulfil their career goals. Hence, candidates willing to migrate to Canada must grab job opportunities by securing work permit.
What are Different Categories Of Canada Work Permit?
The Canada Work Permit can be secured by candidates, who belong to these categories –
➡ Temporary workers – Based on the education, skills, training, knowledge, experience and nature of work done by the candidate, Canadian employers offer job (employment) offers supported by LMIA or in other terms help candidates secure Canada Open Work Permits and Employer-specific Work Permits. Such foreign skilled workers are allowed to extend Canada work permit after fulfilling eligibility criteria.
➔ Open Work Permit– Candidates are allowed to work for any Canadian employer in specific province. Canadian employers, who do not fulfill government’s regulations, do not come in this category. The Open Work Permit is only granted to candidates, who fulfill all eligibility criteria.
➔ Employer-specific Work Permit – Candidates having required education, skills, training, work experience and language proficiency are allowed to secure employer-specific work permit.
➡ Permanent workers – Candidates under this category of work permit are allowed to work and stay in Canada. They need to create online profile in Express Entry pool.
➡ Agricultural workers – Candidates in this category can apply under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).
➡ Business – Candidates, who are willing to work as business visitors, interested to take over established financial enterprise or business in Canada, entrepreneurs, start up enthusiasts and investors can apply under this category.
➡ International Students (Graduates) – It is important to note that international students, who fulfil certain guidelines and criteria, are allowed to work part time on-campus or off-campus. They are also allowed to take up internship opportunities and projects with Canadian employers and organisations. The graduated students from Canadian recognised academic institutes, colleges and universities are allowed to migrate to Canada permanently through Express Entry pathway, seek work opportunities in Canadian organisations, work with Canadian employers and so on. Those interested for post-graduate studies can apply for higher studies after fulfilling eligibility criteria for the academic program or degree.
➡ International Experience Canada – In the International Experience Canada (IEC) pool, only eligible candidates, who fulfil all eligibility criteria, get work permit.
