If you live or work in Canada, how can you bring your dependents to Canada? Can a dependent visa be changed to work permit visa in Canada? These are a few questions for which people usually look for answers.
The Canadian government facilitates residents to sponsor dependents to live with them in Canada. However, you need a Canadian dependent visa to bring your family with you.
Usually, your spouse or common-law partner, your unmarried children, and your parents, falls in the category of your dependents.
Dependent Visa for Canada
If you have a dependent visa, you can quickly shift to Canada with your dependents or family. Moreover, your dependents can also work or study full time there.
However, if you feel that you can change your dependant visa into a work permit then as per Canadian laws you can’t convert the dependent visa into a work permit visa. Instead, you need to apply for a fresh work visa.
Let’s understand the process that as a dependant, how you can apply for a work permit or work visa?
Employer Specific Work Permit (ESWP)
This permit lets you work in Canada for a specific employer under some conditions. As per the Canadian immigration rules, your work permit consists of the following –
- The name of your employer.
- Location of the office or employer where you can work.
- Specific duration for how long you can perform your job.
Before submitting your application, the employer must give you a copy of either of the following-
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- An offer of employment.
Open Work Permit (OWP)
An open work permit allows dependent of foreign nationals who are already living in Canada as a resident, a student, or a worker. Your dependents can work for any Canadian employer they want over a specific time.
An applicant or immigrant can apply for an open work permit from within Canada, outside of Canada or at a Canadian Port of Entry (PoE).
If your dependents are eligible to get an open work permit, they get exempted from the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) requirement.
Types of Open Work Permit (OWP)
Open Work Permit (OWP) can be categorised into two types-
# 1 Occupation Restricted Open Work Permit
Under this permit, an eligible worker can work for any employer where the job will be specified. An occupation restricted open work permit is given to those people who haven’t completed their medical exam.
# 2 Unrestricted Open Work Permit
This permit specifies that a person can do any work in any place in Canada and for any employer. Individuals are eligible to get an unrestricted Open Work Permit if they have completed their medical exam.
How to Apply for a Work Permit?
You can choose to either apply through online mode or offline mode. However, usually, a majority of applicants use an online method as it is convenient.
Also, you must remember that sometimes, you may be required to provide your biometrics. You are also required to pay your application fee of around $ 155.
Bottom Line
As a dependent, your work permit will allow you to work in the Canadian provinces. However, remember that the work permit is applicable for a limited period which is specified on it. Therefore, don’t forget to renew your work permit or otherwise you’ll have to leave the country.