How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada?

If you have been thinking of working in Canada, get a work permit before you go. It usually takes around eight weeks to process your application. Let’s discuss in detail on how to get your work permit in Canada.

Step 1. Checking Your Eligibility to Work for Work Permit in Canada

The initial step include:

1. Securing a job with a Canadian company: You will need to have a job offer from a Canadian company to apply for a work permit. Your employer sponsors the work visa and also the credentials and documentation required for the application. The documents should include a copy of your employer’s positive LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) unless the employment is executed under the terms of any international agreement, for instance, NAFTA.
2. Check if you qualify for an open work permit: If you don’t have a job offer see if you have the open permit.  To qualify for an open work permit in Canada, you need to meet any of the below basic qualifications.

– Permanent resident of Canada

– Dependent on a permanent resident

– Common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student

– A refugee or the family member of a refugee

– A temporary resident permit holder

Review the General Eligibility Criteria to ensure you qualify: The basic requirements for a work permit in Canada include:

– Being in good health physically and mentally

– No criminal records

– Enough financial security to support yourself and the family while in Canada

– Not being a threat to the country’s security

– No plans to work for an employer not eligible to hire foreign workers

Step 2: Starting with filling Your Application

The second step includes:

Scan your documents and keep the digital copies ready: Before starting to fill the online application form, keep the high-quality scanned copies of all the relevant documents ready, which may not be all but includes:

– A valid passport

– Two passport-sized photographs

– Job offer letter

– Evidence that supports you qualify for that employment

1. Register your account for applying online: If you are an account holder in any Canadian Bank, you may use banking information to log in. If not, register for GCKey.
2. Follow the application step-by-step: After logging in to the application system at http://www.canada.ca, follow the filling-up process step-by-step and provide all the information required.
3. Mail-in your application if you are not doing online: In case, if you are not applying via online, you may submit your completed application form along with the relevant documents to:

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada – Work Permit
CPC-Vegreville
6212 – 55th Avenue, Unit 555
Vegreville, AB
T9C 1X6

Step 3: Completing Your Application

The third step includes:
Paying the application fees online: You will need to pay three types of payments that consist of an application fee, processing fee, and biometrics fee. While the work permit fee is CAD 155, the open permit involves an additional charge of CAD 100.

Complete your biometrics at a Visa Application Center (VAC): Get an appointment at an approved VAC and complete your biometric requirements.

Get the physical examination done: If your job requires, you will have to get the physical examination done. Find the nearest panel physician online under the Medical exams link on the Immigration and Citizenship page of https://www.cic.gc.ca. Some country’s agricultural workers may also need to get a physical exam done;