1. What do I need if I want to work in Canada?
In general, foreign workers who want to work temporarily in Canada must have an approved job offer and a work permit before they arrive.
After receiving an approved job offer, the potential foreign worker should apply for a work permit. The officer will decide whether the applicant qualifies for the work permit and will assess health and security requirements. A work permit is usually valid only for a specified job, employer and time period.
There is a fee for work permits; In most cases, temporary workers may not undertake full-time studies and may not change jobs unless authorized by CIC.
Additional procedures apply for foreign workers who intend to work in Quebec.
2. How can I hire a foreign worker?
As an employer, you must have the job offer approved or "confirmed" by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). HRDC assesses the job's economic effect on the Canadian labour market, and confirms either an individual job or a group of jobs.
HRDC examines several factors, including whether acceptable Canadian wages and working conditions are offered, whether qualified Canadians are available, and whether the work is likely to result in skills and knowledge creation or transfer that will benefit Canadians.
An HRDC officer will approve the job offer if he or she determines that it will have a positive or neutral effect on the labour market in Canada. HRDC may also provide an opinion on specific types of jobs where labour market shortages exist. The government may reach agreements with industry sectors facing worker shortages to process work permits for needed workers faster.
In many cases, a foreign national can conduct business activity in Canada without a work permit (see the "
Business visitors" section of this guide). In other cases, a work permit is required but an HRDC confirmation is not--for example, when persons are working as professionals under NAFTA or as skilled intra-company transferees. Some persons are issued "open" or non-employer-specific work permits--for example, spouses or common-law partners of skilled temporary foreign workers or of students. For more details, see
CIC's Website.
3. How is the government making it easier for high-tech companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers?
Facilitated processing for information technology professionals
In response to industry concerns over the shortage of highly skilled workers in this sector, HRDC has issued a national confirmation letter that streamlines the hiring of foreign workers for specific software positions. It makes it unnecessary to obtain approval for each individual whose job offer meets the specified criteria.
Program for spouses and common-law partners of skilled temporary workers
Spouses and common-law partners of skilled temporary workers, including skilled tradespeople and high-tech workers, may apply for work permits without a job offer or HRDC confirmation. This helps Canada attract temporary workers with skills needed in sectors of the economy facing labour shortages. They may be inclined to choose Canada over other countries if it is easier for their spouses and common-law partners to work.
4. What is the Live-in Caregiver Program?
The Live-in Caregiver Program brings temporary workers to Canada for certain kinds of live-in work when there are not enough Canadians to fill the available positions. Employees hired under this program care for children, seniors or people with disabilities, without supervision, in a private household.
5. What are the requirements for live-in caregivers?
Applicants must:
i. have successfully completed the equivalent of Canadian secondary school;
ii. have six months of full-time training in a field or occupation related to that for which they are seeking a work permit, or have completed one year of full-time paid employment (including at least six months of continuous employment with one employer in the occupation being applied for), within the three years preceding the application for a work permit;
iii. be able to speak, read and understand either English or French at a level sufficient to communicate effectively in an unsupervised situation; and
iv. sign an employment contract with the future employer.
Participants may apply for permanent resident status in Canada after completing two years of live-in caregiving employment within three years of arrival in Canada.
Prospective employers should contact a Human Resource Centre Canada (HRCC) or the CIC Call Centre. The HRCC can provide information about acceptable wage standards, taxation, health insurance and workers' compensation.
