Working in Canada requires a permit from the Government of Canada so that the foreign nationals can work in the country. There are two programs under which foreign nationals are allowed to work in Canada. These are the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program. Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the employers must gain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire foreign workers. This program is usually used to fill in the temporary labor and skill shortages. The Labor Market Impact Assessment verifies that there is a requirement for a temporary worker and that there are no Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents available to fill in for the vacancy. On the other hand, under the International Mobility Program, there is no requirement of a Labor Market Impact Assessment. Employers can hire temporary workers without the assessment, and there are specific criteria in place for the exemptions to come into play. These are as follows: the broader economic, cultural or other competitive advantages for Canada the reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents The Work Permit is the official document that allows the foreign workers to work for any employer in Canada and this work permit is basically of two types: Open Work Permit: An open work permit allows someone to work for any employer in Canada (Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) – NOT required), except for an employer: who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions or who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages Employer Specific Work Permit (Closed Work Permit): An employer-specific work permit allows a foreign national to work according to the conditions on their work permit, which include: the name of the employer they can work for how long they can work the location where they can work (if applicable) The work permit process, in most cases, requires the applicant to have a valid offer letter, either with LMIA or without LMIA. If LMIA is exempted, apply for a Canadian work permit. The first step is to get a work permit by petitioning for a Labour Market Impact Assessment, if required, from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). After a positive LMIA has been issued, the applicant can apply for a Canadian work permit on that basis. Remember that work permits are employer-specific, so if an applicant is willing to change the employer, they need to obtain a separate work permit for that. The work permit has an eligibility requirement and the applicants must fulfill all these requirements in order to be valid applications for the work permit. These are as follows: Prove to an officer that they will leave Canada when their work permit expires. Show that they have enough money to take care of themselves and their family members during their stay in Canada and to return home. Obey the law and have no record of criminal activity, police certificates might be requested. Not be a danger to Canada’s security. Be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed. Not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions. Not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages. Give the officer any other support documents as requested by them. Have any questions about the work permit and how to apply for a successful work permit, contact the expert consultants at Redbird Immigration for any further assistance.














