Work Permit & Work Visa in Canada

Canadian Work Visa & Permit  Consultants and Lawyer Support

The Canadian Immigration Council, which is located in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is one of the oldest and most reputable Canadian immigration consulting firms that specialize in Canadian immigration law. The Canadian Immigration Council focuses on several areas of immigration law including work permit applications, Canadian citizenship applications, permanent resident applications, landed immigrant applications and student visa applications, among others. We also offer clients a range of immigration litigation services via our immigration network that includes professionals like business advisors, regulated immigration consultants, accountants, paralegals, lawyers and specialists from a wide variety of fields.

The Canadian Immigration Council has been voted as the #1 immigration consulting firm by the highly esteemed Leger & Leger group for three years in a row due to its work in helping potential immigrants worldwide achieve their dream of immigrating to Canada and for offering them the best immigration services.

Canada Temporary Work Permit

Each year, close to 200,000 foreign skilled workers come to work in Canada on Temporary Work Permits.

In order to work in Canada on a temporary basis, foreign skilled workers must have a temporary offer of employment from a Canadian employer and be granted a positive labour market opinion by Human Resources and   deleted word  Development Canada (HRDC).  There are several steps to this process.

• Step 1: Employer applies for Labour Market Opinion, if necessary
• Step 2: Employer extends Temporary Job Offer
• Step 3: Foreign Skilled Worker applies for Work Permit
• Step 4: Work Permit is issued

Depending upon the foreign worker’s country of citizenship, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) may also need to be obtained in order to enter Canada. 

Do you have a Canadian job offer and need a Work Permit? 

Are you a Canadian Employer who needs to obtain Work Permits for new employees?

Note that a Canada Temporary Work Permit is for those foreign skilled workers who plan on working in Canada for a finite period of time.  To work and live in Canada on a Permanent basis, foreign workers must undertake the Canadian immigration process.

However, a Temporary Work Permit may be a stepping stone to Canadian Permanent Residency.  Once in Canada on a Temporary Work Permit, a foreign worker may qualify for Canadian immigration (Permanent Residency) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), through a Skilled Worker  category, or through one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

Work in Canada – Basic Facts

• For Canadian immigration purposes, “work” is defined as an activity for which remuneration is earned or as an activity that competes directly with activities of Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents in the Canadian labour market.
• Canadian immigration authorities require a Work Permit for a limited number of work related activities in Canada.
• A job offer from a Canadian employer is usually a prerequisite to receiving a Canadian Work Permit.
• In some instances, Canadian immigration regulations allow for “Open” Work Permits, which are not employer specific.
• Work Permits are always temporary in nature, but can often be extended from inside Canada.
• Normally, Work Permits will only be granted by Canadian immigration authorities if supported by a positive “Labour Market Opinion” (LMO) letter issued by Human Resources and deleted word Development Canada (HRDC), indicating that the proposed employment will not adversely affect Canadian workers.

The Open Work Permit

If you are eligible to work in Canada, accompanying family members may also be able to work in Canada due to the permit issued to you. If they plan to work while in Canada, they should find out if they are eligible for an “open” work permit. An open work permit will allow them to work in any job. The work permits of your accompanying family members will be valid for no longer than the duration of your own work permit. The eligibility of your spouse or common-law partner for an open work permit depends on the job’s skill level. Dependent children as well may be entitled to an open work permit through an active pilot project.

Important information regarding Canadian Work Visas

Work visas or employment authorizations are considered as work permits in Canada. Canadian work permits are issued by officials of the Canadian Government in order to allow a foreign individual to work at a specific job or for a specific employer. Anyone who does not have a Canadian citizenship nor is a permanent resident of Canada needs a valid work permit in order to work in Canada. However, foreign workers may do some jobs in Canada without having work permits.

Navigating Canada’s work visa and permit process is as much about precision as it is about timing.

Every application step—whether securing a Labour Market Opinion, preparing the job offer documents, or determining if an open work permit applies—demands a nuanced understanding of the regulations, which evolve frequently. Small oversights, like an incomplete employer letter or an incorrectly timed submission, can delay approvals for months or jeopardize a job opportunity entirely. By working with professionals who not only track policy changes but also anticipate procedural hurdles, applicants position themselves to move from job offer to work permit with fewer delays, stronger documentation, and a clearer understanding of their pathway toward permanent residency. In a process where every detail matters, experienced guidance can make the difference between starting work on schedule and missing the opportunity altogether.