How does one obtain a Temporary Work Permit in Canada? What is it required and how long does it take? These are the questions that a lot of workers, who plan on working in Canada, always ask.
The first step if your intention is to seek short-term employment in Canada is to obtain a work visa. The process might not appear easy but with the right knowhow you can go through the process without any hitch.
In this article, I will explain the conditions and time needed to have a temporary work permit in the territory of Canada.
What is a Temporary Work Permit?
Temporary work permit also referred to as the work visa is a document that provides the foreign workers with the permission to work in Canada under a certain period of time. The visa is targeted to those who seek to take the short-term employment positions or to gain desirable working experience in the country.
Temporary Work Visa Categories in Canada
There are several types of temporary work permits in Canada, each tailored to specific situations Currently, the country offers the following types of temporary work permits, which are issued depending on the circumstances:
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Work Permit: This permit is a must for an employer situation, when he/she wants to hire a worker who cannot be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- LMIA-Exempt Work Permit: While some of the temporary workers such as the foreign group or business visa holders may not need LMIA, others shall certainly have this necessity.
- Short-Term Work Permit: A work permit based on this authorization will allow the foreign worker to work in Canada for 6 months provided they have the employers and do not need an LMIA.
- Young Workers Internship Program: This authorization is granted to people who are between eighteen and thirty-five years of age and who are willing to gain working experience in the country of origin.
The Requirements for a Temporary Work Visa
Regardless of the type of work permit you’re applying for, there are some common requirements you’ll need to meet:
- Job Offer: You will be required to have a Labour Market Impact Assessment due to a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
- Medical Examination: You may have to take a medical to make sure you are not likely to pose any danger to Canadians in any way.
- Police Clearance: On the way, they will require the police certificate or the criminal record of the applicant from the home country.
- Proof of Funds: The exact financial documents that one may be required to produce may depend with the kind of permit that you are going to apply for, although in most of the case, one will be expected to present a proof that he or she will have enough cash with which to sustain him or herself and any other dependent relative who may accompany him or her while you remain in Canada.
How to Apply for Temporary Work Permit in Canada
The procedure for applying for a Temporary Work Permit in Canada may differ depending on your particular case, but they are as follows:
- Gather the Required Documents: Ensure that they have the key documents for instance a valid job offer, the degree or any other documents required. It might be necessary that you make a copy of your permit due to the nature of the permit.
- Submit the Application: The work permit application also can be taken online or it can be posted also with the required documents for the permit for work. The application process takes quite some time and in some cases it may take weeks to respond; thus do apply well ahead of your practical date.
- Await a Decision: Then await the completion of the processing of your application and then you are told whether it has been approved or not. If ever a work permit is granted to you, expect that you will be issued a limited work permit which will contain the time and condition on your work in Canada.
- Enter Canada: Now you are ready to move to Canada under the same valid work permit and commence your temporary employment.
Processing Time for Temporary Work Permit in Canada
The time taken to process the temporary work permit varies depending on a certain type of the work permit and the number of applications from the people. The following are average times you can expect to have the following:
- – LMIA Work Permit: It takes about 3-6 months to complete this process.
- – LMIA-Exempt Work Permit: They take approximately 2 to 4 weeks.
- – Short-Term Work Permit: 10- 28 days
- – Young Workers Internship Program: Ideally, 2 – 4 weeks
However, one should bear in mind that these timelines are not very definite and may actually take much longer depending on the conditions of the package to be applied, the time of the year and any other additional information or additional documents required.
Final Thoughts
It is believed that Canada’s temporary work permit process is hard. However, if the factual information is with you and if it is easy to follow up, then this process should not bother anyone. One tip is to adhere to the procedural guidelines depending on your situation or type of program, acquire necessary paperwork, and submit an application before your intended enrolment term.
Then, it will become easier to look for a permanent job in Canada once you follow the steps shown in this article.
