A Canada Work Permit is an employment authorization issued by the Canadian government, allowing foreign nationals to legally work in Canada for a specified period. It is considered a gateway to exciting career opportunities and valuable experiences in one of the world’s most developed countries.
However, not everyone fully understands the eligibility requirements and necessary procedures to obtain this permit. In this article, Phan Immigration will help you gain a clear understanding of the definition, required conditions, and a step-by-step guide to applying for a Canadian Work Visa, empowering you to take control and move forward confidently on your journey to achieving your Canadian dream.
What is a Canada Work Permit?
A Canada Work Permit is a temporary, time-limited work authorization granted to foreign nationals to legally work in Canada. This permit is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and allows individuals to work lawfully in Canada. It is also considered a key program that the Canadian government actively promotes to address labor shortages in various essential sectors, while offering international workers a potential pathway to permanent residency.
Types of Work Permits for Immigration to Canada
There are three main types of work permits in Canada: open work permits, employer-specific work permits, and work permits for international students.
Open Work Permit
An Open Work Permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada without restrictions on occupation or location, except in the following cases:
- The employer is ineligible to hire foreign workers under Canadian regulations.
- The employer provides services such as striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or related activities.
Key notes about Open Work Permits when immigrating to Canada:
- Issued only under certain eligible circumstances.
- Some occupations may require a medical examination.
- Your spouse and children are allowed to live, study, and work with you in Canada.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
An Employer-Specific Work Permit allows you to work exclusively for one employer under specific conditions:
- The permit must state the name of the specific employer where you will be working.
- The duration of employment must be clearly defined.
- The location of work (if applicable) must be specified.
To apply for an Employer-Specific Work Permit, you will need your employer to provide the following documents:
- A copy of the signed employment contract.
- A copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a job offer if LMIA-exempt.
Work Permit for International Students in Canada
International students in Canada have several options for obtaining a work permit:
- Off-Campus Work Permit: Combined with the study permit, this allows students to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks.
- Co-op Work Permit: For students participating in mandatory internships or work placements as part of their study program (not exceeding 50% of the program duration). This permit is only valid for work related to the program and cannot be used for other employment outside the institution.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): For international students who have completed all academic requirements and graduated from a designated Canadian college or university, having studied full-time for at least 8 months in a continuous, full-time program.
Requirements for Applying for a Canada Work Permit
The conditions for obtaining a Canada Work Permit visa are clearly defined as follows:
General Requirements for All Applicants
To apply for a Canada Work Permit, you must meet the following conditions:
- Demonstrate that you do not intend to stay in Canada illegally and are willing to leave Canada when your work permit expires.
- Prove that you have sufficient financial resources to cover all expenses while working and living in Canada.
- Demonstrate that you have no criminal record, have not violated any laws, and pose no security risk to Canada.
- Confirm that you do not intend to work for employers who are ineligible to hire foreign workers, including those offering services such as striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or related activities.
- Provide documentation proving you are admissible to enter Canada.
Requirements When Applying from Outside Canada
Anyone can apply for a work permit before entering Canada, but you must meet the specific requirements of the visa office in the country where you submit your application. General requirements include:
- Prove that you will leave Canada upon completion of your work assignment.
- Abide by the law and have no criminal record (you may be required to submit a police clearance certificate).
- Not pose a threat to Canada’s security.
- Be in good health and undergo a medical exam if required.
- Not intend to work for employers listed on Canada’s “Ineligible Employers List.”
- Not plan to work in establishments that regularly provide services such as striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massage.
Requirements When Applying from Inside Canada
To apply for a work permit from within Canada, you must meet one of the following conditions:
- You hold a valid study permit or work permit.
- Your spouse, common-law partner, or parents hold a valid study or work permit.
- You are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and your study permit is still valid.
- You hold a temporary resident permit valid for more than six months.
- You have submitted an inland application for permanent residence.
- You have submitted a refugee protection claim.
- You have been recognized as a refugee by IRCC.
- You are authorized to work in Canada without a work permit but require a work permit for a different job (this does not apply to business visitors).
- You are a trader, investor, or intra-company transferee under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Note: Visitors to Canada are not eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada.
Benefits of Immigrating to Canada under a Work Permit
Holding a Work Permit opens the door to applying for permanent residency in Canada through various government immigration programs. By immigrating to Canada under a Work Permit, you and your family can enjoy numerous benefits:
- Your spouse can apply for an Open Work Permit, allowing them to accompany you to Canada and work for any employer without restrictions.
- Your children can accompany you and are eligible for free public education, as well as discounted tuition fees at some universities.
- You are eligible to purchase property in Canada, subject to meeting applicable conditions.
- Children born in Canada will automatically be granted Canadian citizenship.
- You may be eligible to apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) if your Work Permit is valid for more than 18 months, with attractive benefits:
- Up to CAD 7,437 per year (~VND 133,114,491) for children under 6 years old.
- Up to CAD 6,275 per year (~ VND 112,315,911) for children aged 6 to 17.
- From June 27, 2023, Work Permit holders are allowed to study any programs in Canada without the need for a separate study permit, until June 27, 2026.
- You and your family will have access to comprehensive social benefits in the province where you reside.
- Typically, you and your family only need to reside in Canada for an additional 2 years to be eligible to apply for citizenship, instead of the usual 3 years, as the time spent in Canada under a Work Permit counts as half of the required physical presence for citizenship eligibility.
Steps to Apply for a Canada Work Permit
To have your Canada Work Permit processed and approved as quickly as possible, the following procedures should be followed:
Guide for Foreign Workers
If you are applying for a Canada Work Permit from Vietnam, the process involves the following steps:
- Step 1: Provide all necessary documents proving that you meet the eligibility requirements to work in Canada.
- Step 2: Complete the Work Permit application form as required.
- Step 3: Pay the required fees.
- Step 4: Submit your application.
- Step 5: The immigration authorities will review and assess your application. During this process, you may be asked to attend an interview or provide additional supporting documents.
- Step 6: If your application is approved, the immigration authorities will issue you a Letter of Introduction (approval letter) for your Canada Work Permit.
- Step 7: Upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry, you must present the Letter of Introduction to receive your official Work Permit in Canada.
Note: The Letter of Introduction does not guarantee entry into Canada. Final entry is at the discretion of the border services officers.
Guide for International Students Currently Studying in Canada
If you are applying for a Work Permit while studying in Canada, you can submit your application online to save time and costs instead of visiting an in-person office. The online application process for a Work Permit in Canada includes the following steps:
- Step 1: Prepare all the required documents for your application.
- Step 2: Carefully read the instructions, complete the Work Permit application form, and ensure you understand all applicable fees (biometric fee, medical exam fee, police clearance fee, etc.).
- Step 3: Create an online account on the official IRCC website or log in if you already have an account, to submit your application, pay the fees, and track your application status.
Note: While your application is being processed, you may work full-time if you meet the following conditions:
- You hold a valid study permit at the time of applying for the Work Permit.
- You have completed your designated study program.
- You are eligible to work in roles that do not require a separate Work Permit.
- You commit not to exceed the authorized working hours.
FAQ about Canada Work Permits
How long does it take to process a Canada Work Permit application?
Currently, the processing time for Canada Work Permit applications submitted from Vietnam is approximately 15 weeks (about 3.5 months). This timeframe may vary depending on the application volume, the complexity of your case, and the workload capacity of immigration officers.
Who is exempt from requiring a Canada Work Permit?
You do not need a work permit to work in Canada if you are:
- A foreign representative in Canada.
- A family member of a foreign representative in Canada.
- An athlete or a member of an athletic team.
- A performing artist.
- A journalist or member of a media crew.
- A guest speaker.
- A conference organizer.
- Coming to Canada for economic purposes but are not entering the Canadian labor market.
- A religious worker.
- An official referee or judge.
- An inspector or evaluator.
- An expert witness or investigator.
- A government official.
- A caregiver for international students.
- A civil aviation inspector, accident inspector, or flight crew member.
- A school worker.
- A military personnel.
What is the fee for a Canada Work Permit for foreign workers?
The standard fee for work permits across all industries and occupations for foreign workers in Canada is:
- CAD 155 per person (~VND 2,774,337).
- CAD 465 for groups of 3 or more people (~ VND 8,323,011).
- CAD 100 per person for open work permits (~ VND 1,789,895).
How long is a Canada Work Permit valid?
Canada Work Permits are typically valid for 1 to 2 years, with some exceptions. The permit duration cannot exceed the length of your visa, the period stated in your job offer, or the validity of your LMIA assessment. In certain cases, the permit may be issued for a shorter duration.
What are the common reasons for Canada Work Permit application refusals?
Your Canada Work Permit application may be refused if:
- You do not meet all the requirements for a Canada Work Permit.
- There is evidence suggesting you will not leave Canada after your visa expires.
- There is evidence indicating you do not intend to perform the job duties as stated after obtaining your Work Permit.
To know the exact reason for the refusal, you can request a Global Case Management System (GCMS) Note from Canada’s immigration system for clarification.
Work Permit applications that fully meet the eligibility requirements, along with a clear and lawful work plan, are more likely to be approved quickly and without complications. For safe, transparent support in applying for a Canada Work Permit and immigrating to Canada, contact Phan Immigration — a licensed Canadian immigration consulting firm. Authorized by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), we are committed to providing you with the highest quality and most professional services.
