Canada is one of the most popular destinations for foreign workers who want to live and work in a diverse and welcoming country. Every year, thousands of people apply for a work permit to work in Canada temporarily or permanently. However, the requirements and procedures for obtaining a work permit may change from time to time, depending on the immigration policies and programs of the Government of Canada.
In this article, we will discuss the new requirements and changes that will affect the work permit applications from January 2024 onwards. We will also provide some tips and resources on how to apply for a work permit and permanent residence in Canada.
What is a work permit?
A work permit is a document that authorizes a foreign national to work legally in Canada for a specific employer, occupation, location and period of time. A work permit is usually issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a Canadian visa office abroad, after the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and submits the required documents.
There are two main types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.
- An open work permit allows the holder to work for any employer in Canada, except for those who are ineligible or who offer escort services, erotic massage or exotic dancing. An open work permit does not require a job offer, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an offer of employment number. Some examples of people who may be eligible for an open work permit are: spouses or common-law partners of skilled workers, international students, refugees, temporary resident permit holders, etc.
- An employer-specific work permit allows the holder to work only for the employer, occupation, location and duration specified on the work permit. An employer-specific work permit usually requires a job offer, a LMIA or an offer of employment number, unless the applicant is exempt from these requirements. Some examples of people who may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit are: foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, foreign workers under the International Mobility Program, intra-company transferees, etc.
What are the new requirements for work permits from January 2024?
According to the official website of the Government of Canada, the following are some of the new requirements and changes that will affect the work permit applications from January 2024 onwards:
- The work permit fee will increase from $155 to $200 for open work permits and from $155 to $175 for employer-specific work permits.
- The open work permit holder fee will increase from $100 to $125 for applicants who are applying for an open work permit or who are extending or changing the conditions of their open work permit.
- The biometrics fee will increase from $85 to $100 for individuals and from $170 to $200 for families.
- The processing time for online work permit applications will be reduced from 12 weeks to 8 weeks for open work permits and from 10 weeks to 6 weeks for employer-specific work permits.
- The eligibility criteria for open work permits will be expanded to include more categories of applicants, such as: current and former post-graduation work permit holders, temporary resident to permanent resident pathway applicants, foreign nationals who have completed a Canadian credential in the last 12 months, etc.
- The duration of open work permits will be extended from 12 months to 18 months for eligible applicants, such as: international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution, foreign nationals who have applied for permanent residence under the Express Entry system, etc.
- The validity of work permits will be aligned with the validity of passports, meaning that the work permit will expire on the same date as the passport, unless the passport is valid for more than 10 years, in which case the work permit will expire 10 years after the date of issue.
- The online application system will be improved to make it more user-friendly and accessible, such as: allowing applicants to upload multiple documents at once, providing more guidance and feedback on the application form, offering more payment options, etc.
How to apply for a work permit in Canada?
The process of applying for a work permit in Canada depends on the type of work permit, the country of residence, the eligibility criteria and the required documents. However, the general steps are as follows:
- Determine the type of work permit you need: open work permit or employer-specific work permit.
- Check your eligibility for the work permit: you must meet the basic requirements, such as: having a valid passport, having enough funds to support yourself and your family, having no criminal record, being in good health, etc. You must also meet the specific requirements for the work permit category you are applying for, such as: having a job offer, a LMIA, an offer of employment number, etc.
- Gather the required documents for the work permit application: you must prepare and submit the following documents, among others: a completed application form, a copy of your passport, a copy of your job offer or contract, a copy of your LMIA or offer of employment number, a copy of your educational credentials, a copy of your language test results, a copy of your biometrics receipt, a copy of your medical exam report, etc.
- Pay the fees for the work permit application: you must pay the applicable fees, such as: the work permit fee, the open work permit holder fee, the biometrics fee, the visa fee, etc. You can pay the fees online or at a bank or a visa application centre, depending on your country of residence.
- Submit the work permit application: you can apply online or on paper, depending on your country of residence and the type of work permit. You must follow the instructions on how to submit your application, such as: creating an online account or signing in, uploading your documents, answering some questions, etc.
- Wait for the decision on your work permit application: you will receive a confirmation email or letter from IRCC or the Canadian visa office, informing you of the decision on your application. If your application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction and a work permit. If your application is refused, you will receive a letter of explanation and a refusal stamp on your passport.
- Prepare for your arrival in Canada: you must bring the following documents with you when you travel to Canada: your passport, your letter of introduction, your work permit, your job offer or contract, your LMIA or offer of employment number, your proof of funds, your medical exam report, etc. You must also follow the travel and quarantine requirements, such as: taking a COVID-19 test, booking a hotel for 3 nights, using the ArriveCAN app, etc.
- Start working in Canada: you must present your documents to the border services officer at the port of entry, who will verify your identity and eligibility and issue your work permit. You must also comply with the conditions and restrictions of your work permit, such as: working only for the authorized employer, occupation, location and duration, reporting any changes to your employer or address, etc.
How to apply for permanent residence in Canada?
If you want to stay and work in Canada permanently, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under one of the immigration programs or pathways offered by the Government of Canada. Some of the most popular programs or pathways are:
- Express Entry: a system that manages the applications for permanent residence under three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Applicants must create an online profile and enter their personal information, such as: age, education, work experience, language ability, etc. Applicants are then ranked and scored based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points for various factors, such as: human capital, skills transferability, provincial nomination, etc. Applicants with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): a program that allows the provinces and territories of Canada to nominate foreign workers who have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economic development and prosperity of their region. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and submit an expression of interest or an application to the province or territory of their choice. Applicants who are nominated by a province or territory can then apply for permanent residence to IRCC.
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP): a program that helps employers in the Atlantic provinces of Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador) to hire foreign workers who have the skills and experience to fill the labour shortages in their region. Applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces and meet the eligibility criteria for one of the three streams: the Atlantic High-Skilled Program, the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program and the Atlantic International Graduate Program. Applicants who have a job offer and an endorsement from the province can then apply for permanent residence to IRCC.
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): a program that helps employers in the rural and northern communities of Canada to attract and retain foreign workers who have the skills and experience to meet the economic and social needs of their region. Applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the participating communities and meet the eligibility criteria for the program. Applicants who have a job offer and a recommendation from the community can then apply for permanent residence to IRCC.
Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway (TR to PR Pathway): a program that provides a one-time opportunity for foreign nationals who are already living and working in Canada to apply for permanent residence under one of the six streams: the Workers in Canada – Stream A, the Workers in Canada – Stream B, the Workers in Canada – Stream C, the International Graduates, the French-Speaking Workers and the French-Speaking International Graduates. Applicants must have valid temporary resident status and authorization to work in Canada and meet the eligibility criteria for the stream they are applying for. Applicants who meet the requirements can then apply for permanent residence to IRCC.
Tips and resources for work permit and permanent residence applicants
Applying for a work permit or permanent residence in Canada can be a complex and challenging process, especially for those who are not familiar with the immigration rules and procedures. Therefore, it is advisable to seek professional help and guidance from a qualified immigration lawyer or consultant who can assist you with your application and advise you on the best options for your situation.
However, if you decide to apply on your own, you should do your own research and preparation before submitting your application. Here are some tips and resources that may help you with your work permit or permanent residence application:
- Visit the official website of the Government of Canada and read the information and instructions carefully for the work permit or permanent residence program or pathway you are interested in. You can also find the application forms, checklists, guides, fees, processing times, etc. on the website.
- Use the online tools and services provided by the Government of Canada, such as: the Come to Canada tool, which can help you find out if you are eligible to apply for a work permit or permanent residence and what steps you need to take; the IRCC Web form, which can help you submit an online enquiry or request to IRCC; the Client Application Status tool, which can help you check the status of your application online; the IRCC Call Centre, which can help you contact IRCC by phone and speak to an agent; etc.
- Consult the official websites of the provinces and territories of Canada and the participating communities of the RNIP if you are applying for a provincial nomination or a community recommendation. You can find the eligibility criteria, application procedures, forms, fees, etc. on the websites.
- Take an official language test, such as: the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF), the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada), etc. You must take a language test to prove your language ability in English or French for most of the work permit or permanent residence programs or pathways. You must also submit your test results with your application.
- Get your educational credentials assessed, such as: by the World Education Services (WES), the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS), the Comparative Education Service (CES), etc. You must get your foreign education assessed by a designated organization to prove that it is equivalent to a Canadian credential for some of the work permit or permanent residence programs or pathways. You must also submit your assessment report with your application.
- Get a medical exam, such as: by a panel physician approved by IRCC. You must get a medical exam to prove that you are in good health and do not pose a risk to the public health or safety of Canada for most of the work permit or permanent residence programs or pathways. You must also submit your medical exam report or confirmation with your application.
- Get a police certificate, such as: from the authorities of the countries where you have lived for six months or more in a row in the past 10 years. You must get a police certificate to prove that you have no criminal record or charges for most of the work permit or permanent residence programs or pathways. You must also submit your police certificate with your application.
- Prepare a resume and a cover letter, such as: by using the templates and samples provided by the Government of Canada or other sources. You may need to prepare a resume and a cover letter to showcase your skills, education and work experience to potential employers in Canada or to support your work permit or permanent residence application.
- Prepare a settlement plan and a budget, such as: by using the tools and resources provided by the Government of Canada or other sources. You may need to prepare a settlement plan and a budget to demonstrate your readiness and ability to settle and integrate in Canada or to support your work permit or permanent residence application.
We hope that this article has provided you with some useful information and guidance on the new requirements and changes for work permits from January 2024 and how to apply for a work permit and permanent residence in Canada.
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