working visa to Canada
A work permit or working visa to Canada allows you to physically work in the country for a certain period. It also helps you to pave your way towards living in Canada permanently. However, the process is somewhat complicated, and you must all the rules and regulations to get a working visa.
Before anything else, you must be employed by a permanent citizen of Canada who must obtain an LMIA. Want to know more about the Canadian working visa? Let's dive deep and find out what are the requirements and how you can apply for it easily.
What is Working Visa in Canada?
When a foreign individual wants to work in Canada temporarily, the legal document they would need is called a working visa. Here’s how it typically works: an employer applies for LMIA or Labor Market Impact Assessment to recruit overseas candidates. They eventually extend temporary job offers to selected candidates.
After that, the foreign employee applies to the responsible authority for a working visa. And once the visa is issued, they can come to Canada to take the job.
Canada has approved about 400,000 foreign candidates in the year 2021 alone! Therefore, the scope for working in Canada is higher nowadays for foreign individuals. With a working visa, you not only earn dollars but also enjoy facilities like traveling across Canada and applying for a permanent visa.
work permit Canada requirements
As you might expect, you must be considered eligible and fulfill certain requirements. The eligibility requirements vary depending on where you're applying form. However, there are some general requirements that all candidates must fulfill. Below are the details-
General Eligibility Requirements:
- The candidate must provide proof to an officer of their intention to leave Canada as soon as the working visa expires
- Deliver necessary documents showing that they have enough money to provide for themselves and their families during their stay and to return home
- Must not have any criminal record
- Be in good health; a medical examination might be needed
- Obey the law and must not be considered a threat to the country's security
- Not intended to work for employers who offer erotic dance, escort services, erotic massages, or striptease
- Not work for employers who are listed as 'ineligible' by the Canadian government due to their failure of complying with certain conditions
- Must provide necessary documents whenever an officer asks to prove that the candidate is officially qualified
how to get work visa for Canada?
If you want to apply for a working visa in Canada, you can apply online and offline. Here's the easiest process for applying online -
- Visit the official Canadian government website and go to the menu. Select ‘Immigration and Citizenship’ and click on ‘Work’.
- Choose the option ‘Get a work permit’ and select the type of worker. You’ll be given the option ‘Apply for a work permit’. Click on it and go to the ‘how to apply page.
- Now, you need to select the country you’re applying from. When done, choose the ‘Get the application to work’ option.
- You’ll be given three application options, including one for online application. Select it from the drop-down menu and click on your country name again.
- Create a new account, as it’s necessary to complete the process and all your payments. Fill out the provided application form and upload the necessary documents.
- Pay the required visa fee and make an appointment with the Canada Visa Application Centre or VAC.
- Submit your picture and provide biometrics for the VAC verification.
- When you’re called, go for the interview, and you’ll receive an approval letter from the embassy if you’re selected.
Canada work visa FAQ
As long as your documents are clear and you’ve been employed2 by an eligible employer in Canada, getting a work permit in Canada is easy. Besides, if you’re from USA or Mexico, the process is even easier because of the USMCA or United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Yes, you can get a work visa for Canada without a job offer if you meet the requirements of the Canadian Express Entry system. Only skilled professionals and trades person with a specific amount of experience are qualified for a working visa without a job offer.
An individual applicant needs to pay 155 Canadian dollars (CAD) as application fees and 85 CAD as biometric fees. For group applications (3 individuals at least), you need to pay 464 CAD for the application and 255 CAD for biometrics.
Yes, once you’ve completed the application process and paid the visa fee, you’ll be called for an interview with the Canadian embassy or consulate. The interview is crucial for the applicants as it decides whether they are selected or rejected for the working visa.
The working visa process can take up to 6 weeks or 30 working days, depending on your country.
Yes, IELTS is essential for a Canadian work visa. This test will prove the candidate’s proficiency in English. It’s mandatory if you’re willing to live permanently in Canada.
Candidates with a minimum of 67 points will qualify for the FSWP or Federal Skilled Worker Program.