Canada immigration partners
Work Permits
Your pathway to working in Canada starts here.
Connecting Talent with Opportunity in Canada
Whether you’re an individual seeking to work in Canada or an employer looking to bring in essential talent, Canada Immigration Partners offers comprehensive support for all types of work permits. Our expertise ensures a smooth and efficient application process, helping you achieve your professional goals in Canada.
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Navigating Canada’s Work Permit Landscape
Canada offers a range of work permit options, each with specific requirements and criteria. Our team at Canada Immigration Partners stays current with the latest immigration policies, providing you with accurate and timely advice. We’ll assess your unique situation and guide you towards the most suitable work permit pathway, from initial assessment to successful approval.
We provide comprehensive assistance with various work permit categories, including:
Open Work Permits & Pathways for Students and Spouses
Gain flexibility with permits not tied to a single employer. This includes the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for international students graduating from Canadian institutions, providing crucial Canadian work experience. We also help secure Family Class & Spousal Open Work Permits for spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or certain temporary foreign workers, allowing them to work freely while in Canada.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
For eligible youth from participating countries, we can help you navigate the IEC program to secure a temporary work permit. This is an excellent opportunity for working holidays, young professional internships, or co-op placements, allowing you to gain international work experience in Canada.
Employer-Driven Work Permits (LMIA & LMIA-Exempt)
We guide you through the process for permits tied to a specific job offer. This includes Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based permits, where we help employers demonstrate a genuine need for foreign workers. We also assist with LMIA-Exempt Work Permits under the International Mobility Program, covering agreements like CUSMA (formerly NAFTA), the Francophone Mobility Program, and Intra-Company Transfers for global companies. Additionally, we support applications under the Global Talent Stream (GTS), which offers priority processing for highly skilled tech and STEM workers.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-Based Work Permits
If you have a provincial nomination, we can assist you with obtaining a work permit. This category offers a robust pathway to permanent residency, as it aligns with the specific labour market needs of Canadian provinces and territories.
Why Trust Canada Immigration Partners?
The Canada Immigration Partners team has over 35 years of combined experience in helping people navigate Canada’s immigration system. We have successfully settled hundreds of individuals and families in Canada.
The Personal Touch
You’ll never get lost in the shuffle at CIP. We treat every customer with the same level of attentiveness and care. While larger firms may offer immigration services as a mere aside, we are fully dedicated to you and your journey.
Transparent
While other firms obscure the true cost of their services, CIP keeps things crystal clear. Consulting services cost as little as $99 CAD, and partnership prices are always negotiated in advance, making budgeting a painless process.
Fully Regulated
You can rest assured knowing that your application is in the hands of experienced professionals. Canada Immigration Partners’ consultants are regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants and are members of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants.
Experience
We don’t just understand immigration law; we’ve lived it. As a husband-and-wife team who have successfully navigated our own immigration journey to Canada, we bring a deeply personal understanding and empathy to your case. We know what it’s like, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about Canadian work permits:
Who needs a work permit to work in Canada?
A Canadian work permit is an authorization issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows foreign nationals to work in Canada for a specific period. It specifies the conditions of your employment, such as the employer, location, and duration.
What’s the difference between an ‘open’ and an ’employer-specific’ work permit?
An employer-specific work permit allows you to work only for a specific employer, at a specific location, and for a specific duration. An open work permit is not tied to a particular employer, allowing you to work for almost any employer in Canada (with some exceptions) and gives you more flexibility.
Do I need a job offer to apply for a Canadian work permit?
For most work permit streams, yes, a valid job offer from a Canadian employer is required. However, some open work permit streams (like the PGWP or spousal open work permits) do not require a job offer.
How long does it take to process a work permit application?
Processing times vary significantly based on the type of work permit, the country of application, and current IRCC caseloads. We can provide you with the most up-to-date estimated processing times during your consultation.
Can I extend my work permit in Canada?
Yes, in many cases, you can apply to extend your work permit from within Canada if you meet the eligibility criteria. It’s crucial to apply before your current permit expires.
What is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
An LMIA is a document that a Canadian employer may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker. It confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill a job and that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to do the job.
What is the Global Talent Stream (GTS)?
The Global Talent Stream is a component of the LMIA process that offers expedited processing for certain high-skilled occupations, primarily in the technology and STEM sectors. It’s designed to help innovative Canadian companies quickly hire the specialized talent they need.
What is CUSMA (formerly NAFTA)?
CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) includes provisions that allow citizens of the U.S. and Mexico to obtain LMIA-exempt work permits in Canada for certain professional occupations, investors, and intra-company transferees.
Still have a question?
Check out more frequently-asked questions and answers about Canadian work permits or get in touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs a work permit to work in Canada?
A Canadian work permit is an authorization issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows foreign nationals to work in Canada for a specific period. It specifies the conditions of your employment, such as the employer, location, and duration.
What’s the difference between an ‘open’ and an ’employer-specific’ work permit?
An employer-specific work permit allows you to work only for a specific employer, at a specific location, and for a specific duration. An open work permit is not tied to a particular employer, allowing you to work for almost any employer in Canada (with some exceptions) and gives you more flexibility.
Do I need a job offer to apply for a Canadian work permit?
For most work permit streams, yes, a valid job offer from a Canadian employer is required. However, some open work permit streams (like the PGWP or spousal open work permits) do not require a job offer.
How long does it take to process a work permit application?
Processing times vary significantly based on the type of work permit, the country of application, and current IRCC caseloads. We can provide you with the most up-to-date estimated processing times during your consultation.
Can I extend my work permit in Canada?
Yes, in many cases, you can apply to extend your work permit from within Canada if you meet the eligibility criteria. It’s crucial to apply before your current permit expires.
What is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
An LMIA is a document that a Canadian employer may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker. It confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill a job and that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to do the job.
What is the Global Talent Stream (GTS)?
The Global Talent Stream is a component of the LMIA process that offers expedited processing for certain high-skilled occupations, primarily in the technology and STEM sectors. It’s designed to help innovative Canadian companies quickly hire the specialized talent they need.
What is CUSMA (formerly NAFTA)?
CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) includes provisions that allow citizens of the U.S. and Mexico to obtain LMIA-exempt work permits in Canada for certain professional occupations, investors, and intra-company transferees.
What is the Francophone Mobility Program?
This program allows employers outside Quebec to hire French-speaking foreign nationals in skilled occupations without requiring an LMIA, contributing to the development of Francophone minority communities.
Who is eligible for an Intra-Company Transfer work permit?
This permit is for executives, senior managers, or specialists who are being transferred from a foreign company to a qualifying Canadian entity within the same multinational corporation.
What is International Experience Canada (IEC)?
IEC is a youth mobility program that offers temporary work permits to young people from eligible countries (usually aged 18-35) through streams like Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship).
What is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
The PGWP allows international students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to gain valuable Canadian work experience. It’s an open work permit, and the length depends on the duration of the study program, up to a maximum of three years.
How does the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) relate to work permits?
Many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow provinces to nominate individuals with specific skills and job offers to meet their local labour market needs. If nominated, you may be eligible for a work permit that supports your nomination, often providing a direct path to permanent residency.
Can my spouse or common-law partner get a work permit if I have one?
Yes, in many cases, if you hold a valid work permit in a skilled occupation, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work in Canada as well.
Insights on Work Permits
Discover expert tips and advice from our blog to help you navigate the work permit process with ease.
Post Graduate Work Permit: Everything You Need to Know
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Expert Immigration Support You Can Trust
At Canada Immigration Partners, we combine over 35 years of experience with a personal touch to help individuals and families make Canada their home. As a husband-and-wife team who’ve completed the immigration journey ourselves, we’re committed to guiding you with care, integrity, and expertise.