• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Provincial Nominee Program (only uses the platform, but has different rules)

This article will go through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the details on it.

What is the Canada Experience Class?

The Canadian Experience Class Program is developed for people of foreign nationalities who have been working in Canada as temporary workers and want to become permanent residents. So if you have been working in Canada for 1 year as a full time or part time employee in the past 3 years, then you can apply for the Canada Experience Class and try to become a permanent resident.

A permanent residence through the CEC program allows you to permanently move to Canada, as well as work and live in one of the provinces. After a few years, you will also be allowed to apply for Canadian Citizenship and get a Canadian passport. You will have the same benefits as other Canadian permanent residents or citizens, including medical benefits and the ability to study in Canadian universities if you or your children choose to.

What are the requirements of Canada Experience Class?

In order to apply for the Canada Experience Class, you must first determine your eligibility. There are several requirements which you must fulfill and you can determine if you do by taking a quick test or survey on the Canadian Immigration Website. By clicking the button “Check your Eligibility”, you will go through the test which has various questions on your background. This test determines whether you fulfill the requirements and if you do, it will generate an application number which you can later use.

The survey will test you on:

• Work Experience and Occupation Level
• Language Ability and Education
• Admissibility

Work Experience and occupation level

The work experience and occupation level questions will ask you to state how long you have been working and if you have any work experience in Canada. You must have at least 1 year of work experience in Canada in the past 3 years to qualify for the CEC Program.

In addition, your work experience must be in a certain occupation level. Canada has a National Occupational Classification (NOC) document which determines the level of skills for each job. Your work experience must fall in the Skill Level 0 (managerial jobs), Skill Level A (professional jobs that usually require a degree from a university) or Skill Level B (technical jobs and skilled trades that usually require a college diploma or training as an apprentice) for that experience to be acceptable.

You must show that this job experience has included all the duties in the description of the NOC. Additionally, self-employment and work experience which you gained if you were a full time student in Canada (co-ops or internships) do not qualify for CEC. Also, if you worked in Canada but did not have legal status, then your work experience will not be accepted.

Language and education

In addition to the work experience, you must also have language skills in one of the official Canadian languages, English or French. You must take language tests which will be converted to a language proficiency scale that Canada has, the Canadian Language Benchmark. The tests must have a writing, reading, listening, and speaking component and must be valid for 2 years after you get the test results.

To qualify for the CEC program, you must have a Canadian Language Benchmark of 7 for Skill Level 0 or Skill Level A jobs or a Canadian language Benchmark of 5 for Skill Level B jobs.

As for your education credentials, the Canada Experience Class does not have a minimum specified education requirement. However, since you will have to submit your profile and be ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Calculator, then it is best to have a high level of education so as to get more points.

Admissability to Canada

Finally, you must also be admissible to Canada. Admissibility means that you fulfill the legal requirements to get a Canadian visa. This includes factors such as a clean criminal history, for you to be healthy enough to pass your medical exams and not pose a threat to Canadian national security.

You do not need a job offer to apply for the Canadian Express Entry Program; however, you must plan to get a job in any province in Canada with the exception of Quebec, since this province has its own immigration rules.

How to apply for CEC Canada?

Once you determine through the test that you fulfill the requirements, then you can start your application process. The Canada Experience Class Program, similar to the other Express Entry Programs does not accept direct applications and works similarly to ranking application system.

In order to apply for the CEC you must make sure that you are eligible and submit your profile for ranking. The ranking will be done according to many factors and you can find a detailed breakdown of the points and factors in our CRS Calculator article. The following paragraphs will take you through a series of steps to apply for the CEC.

Get supporting documents

Before you start to fill out your profile, you must make sure to have these supporting documents ready:

• A valid passport of travel document;
• Language test results (English or French);
• Education Credential Assessment Report (if necessary)
• Job offer letter from an employer in Canada (if you have one);
• Police certificates to prove you have a clean criminal record;
• Medical examination;
• Proof that you have enough funds to cover your stay in Canada if you are invited to apply;

These documents will be helpful during the application process and if you are invited to apply for permanent residence, you will have to submit them to the Canadian Embassy.

Submit your profile

The next step is for you to create an Express Entry profile. You can do that by going to the Canadian Government Website and create an account if you do not already have one. After creating the account, you must sign in and enter the reference code you got when you completed the eligibility test. The page will then show you all the fields you must fill out to complete the profile.

The profile will require your complete background history and any detail that can earn you points. You will also have space to attach your supporting documents as proof of your profile.

Once you start the profile, you will have 60 days to complete it. If you do not complete it within this timeframe, you will have to start all over again. If you are sure that you have completed your profile, you can then submit it. In the meantime, if you have any other documents that can improve your ranking such as language tests with better scores or a job offer, you can log in again and submit them for consideration.

Get invited to apply

The submitted profile gets an evaluation from the Canadian Government which ranks all the profiles according to their points. Those with the highest points get an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

There are cases when a person who has submitted their profile for a Canada Experience Class program gets an invitation for a different program and vice versa. That is why the invited applicant can either accept or reject the invitation. If you accept it, then the officials will send you further instructions and if you deny the invitation, you will have to start all over again by submitting a new profile.

Apply for permanent residence

Once you accept the invitation, you will get further instructions and forms which you will have to fill and follow carefully. You must get all the necessary supporting documents and submit everything within the deadline given to you by the Canadian Government. After you submit the documents, you will also have to pay the fees for the Canadian Experience Class. The fees for all the Express Entry programs are outlined below in Canadian dollars.

The Canadian Government will then review you application for permanent residence to determine whether you are eligible and admissible. They will then notify you of their decision, either accepting you and giving you the visa or denying your application.

If they accept the application, you can then start making arrangements to move to Canada permanently such as booking your flights and finding a place to live. If they deny the application, the officials will inform you of the reasons and so you can try to apply again.

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What is a CRS Calculator?

The CRS Calculator is otherwise known as the Canada Express Entry Points Calculator. The reasons for this is that it ranks the profiles that are submitted for Express Entry Programs. Each person who is a skilled worker and wants to immigrate to Canada must complete a profile with their qualifications and their personal information. The CRS Calculator then collects the point totals and ranks the profiles. Based on those rankings, the potential immigrants are then invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

The Canada immigration points calculator is one of the most important tools to understand if your goal is to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. You must make sure that you score in the best way possible in each factor in order to maximize your chances of being selected to apply.

What are the factors that get you Canada immigration points?

The CRS is a simple tool that is made up from 4 groups of factors. These factors are as follows:

1. Core/Human capital factors
2. Spouse or common-law partner factors
3. Skill transferability factors
4. Additional points

Each of the factors has a variety of levels where you can gain points.

Core/Human capital factors

Core/Human capital factors can differ depending on whether you have a spouse or common-law partner joining you in Canada or you are single. If your spouse or common-law partner is not joining you in Canada or they already a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, your points will be calculated as if you were applying as single.

The core or human capital factors consider the following:

• Age;
• Education;
• Official languages proficiency;
• Canadian work experience;

Spouse or common-law partner factors

Spouse or common-law partner factors consider the profile of your partner, similar to your core/human capital factors, such as:

• Level of education;
• Official languages proficiency;
• Canadian work experience;

Skill transferability factors

Skill transferability factors consider the following:

• A combination of your education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience;
• Foreign work experience;
• Possession of a certificate of qualification for those who have a skilled trade;

Additional points

Finally, additional points consider different factors which can increase your point total, such as:

• Having a sibling in Canada who is a permanent resident or citizen;
• Skills that you have in French;
• Completing post-secondary education in Canada;
• Having arranged employment in Canada (a job offer letter);
• Having a provincial nomination;

All of these groups of factors are used to determine your ranking in the profile selection. The maximum points that you can get from them are 1,200 points. However, there is no set Canada express entry minimum points that you need to be selected.

The point totals are relative, meaning that it depends on how other profiles are scored. In one year, the point total might be very high and you might not be able to pass with 700 points, but if in the next year, the point total is lower, then you might qualify with that amount. Despite this, you must try to get the best possible scores, no matter what the other applicants will have.

How to calculate the Canada express entry points?

Each group of the factors that are considered has specific points. By finding out where you stand, you can calculate how many points you can get and decide whether you want to submit a profile or not. We will go through each factor and the levels considered with their corresponding points.

Core/human capital factors

The total points for these factors are 460 with a spouse or common-law partner and 500 without a spouse or common law partner.

Language Proficiency for the First Official Language

All abilities are considered for ranking, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening to determine the proficiency.

For this factor, there is a maximum of 32 points for each ability (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) with a spouse or common-law partner, and 34 points for each ability without a spouse or common-law partner.

Official Language Proficiency for the Second Official Language

For the second official language, you can earn up to 22 points with a spouse or common-law partner and up to 24 points without a spouse or common-law partner.

Spouse or common-law partner factors

The spouse or common-law partner points are additional points that you can get if your partner joins you in your application. The points that you will lose in the core/human capital factors because you have a partner, you can make them up in this section. The total points for the core/human capital and spouse or common-law partner factor are 500 points.

Skill transferability factors

This factor will consider various education and work experience levels and the maximum points you can get are 100.

The maximum amount of points you can get from the first three factors (core/human capital + spouse or common-law partner + skill transferability) are 600.

Additional points

The maximum amount of points you can get from the additional points is 600.

After totaling all the factors, the maximum amount of points you can get is 1,200.

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Taking into account, that Canada needs skilled workers in various trades, it has come up with the Express Entry Program to attract as many qualified people as possible. This article will go through what this program is and how to apply for it.

What is the Canada Express Entry Program?

The Express Entry Program is completed all online on the Government of Canada website. It allows people to submit their profiles of their skills, education, and employment history to gain points through a specific calculator designed by the government. Depending on the types of traits that an applicant has, they are ranked through various factors and get points. The profiles which get the most points are then invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

If approved for permanent residence, the applicant can then move to Canada and have all the privileges that legal residents has, including the right to apply for Canadian citizenship once they are eligible.

So the Canada Express Entry Program allows skilled workers to immigrate to Canada and work there, while on a path to getting their citizenship too.

What are the types of Canada Immigration Express Entry Programs?

Since there are different levels of skilled workers, the Government of Canada designed four different programs within the Express Entry. These programs are otherwise known as economic immigration programs because they attract skilled workers which improve and develop the economy of Canada. These programs are as follows:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The programs vary depending on their requirements to qualify. The main differences between them are language skills, qualified occupation, and work experience.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is designed for all skilled workers with foreign work experience to immigrate to Canada. It requires a high level of language proficiency in English or French (Level 7), as well as an occupation which falls into management jobs, professional jobs that require a university degree or technical jobs or trades that require a college diploma or apprenticeships. Finally, it also requires one year of continuous work experience in the specific occupation within the last 10 years.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is designed for skilled workers in specific trades who have work experience in a foreign country. It  requires a Level 5 or 4 of language proficiency in English or French, an occupation that falls into the technical jobs which require a college diploma or apprenticeship and 2 years of work experience within the last 5 years. Additionally, those who apply must have a valid job offer from a Canadian company and a certificate which proves that they possess a high level of skill in their trade.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is designed for skilled workers who have work experience within Canada. They must have a Level 5 or 7 in language proficiency in English or French and have an occupation that falls into management jobs, professional jobs, or technical jobs. They must also have one year of work experience in Canada in the last 3 years.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a program designed for the provinces of Canada so that they nominate and select particular skilled workers which fulfill their needs. The applicant that is invited to apply must then live and work in the province which nominated and sponsored them. The program is managed by the provinces and only uses the Express Entry portal to receive profiles online.

What are the requirements of the Canada Express Entry Program?

If you have decided that you want to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry Program, then you must meet the eligibility criteria. The first three programs have their own set of criteria, while the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has a few additional requirements that are specific to each province.

To determine whether you are eligible or not, you can visit the Government of Canada website here. You should click the “Check your eligibility” button, and it will redirect you to a short questionnaire. The questionnaire will ask you details about yourself such as:

• Nationality
• Age
• Language skills
• Education
• Work experience
• Family members
• Details on a job offer in Canada

Each answer you give on these questions will be used to calculate your points on the CRS Calculator. Different answers yield different points, and each Express Entry program requires you to pass a certain threshold to qualify. The total points are 100 and for example, to qualify for the Federal Skilled Workers Program, you will need a minimum of 67 points.

After you complete the questionnaire, the website will generate a specific code number for you. You can use that to start your profile after you create your account.

For the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you will need to be eligible for Express Entry, but you must also meet additional requirements. You must decide in which province of Canada you want to live in and contact the responsible authorities.

You can find a list of all the Canadian Provinces and links to their contacts in the PNP eligibility site. Contact your chosen province and find out what the requirements are and assess whether you are eligible or not. If you are, then the province must nominate you in order for you to apply.

How to apply for the Canada Express Entry Program?

The application process for the Express Entry Programs is different, depending on which program you want to apply for. There is one application process for the first three programs, while the Provincial Nominee Program has a different procedure.

Applying for the Federal Skilled Workers, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class Programs can be done through these steps.

Get supporting documents

You will need a list of supporting documents to be able to apply for the programs. This includes:

• A valid passport of travel document;
• Language test results (English or French);
• Education Credential Assessment Report (for the Federal Skilled Workers and Experience Class);
• Job offer letter from an employer in Canada (if you have one);
• Police certificates to prove you have a clean criminal record;
• Medical examination;
• Proof that you have enough funds to cover your stay in Canada if you are invited to apply;

Submit your profile

The way that the Express Entry Program works is through a selection from the different profiles submitted from potential applicants. So you will have to submit your profile and prove that you are eligible.

To submit this profile, you have to open an account on the Government of Canada website. You will enter the code you obtained from your eligibility questionnaire and then answer all the questions that are on the profile. You will write details about your age, nationality, education, work experience, and submit the documents you gathered in the first step.

You can work on the profile for 60 days and then you must submit it. If you wait for more than 60 days, you will not be able to submit it and will have to start all over again.

After you submit the profile, you will have to wait to see whether you are selected. Each year, the Canadian Government chooses from the pool of profiles those who score and are ranked the highest based on their qualifications. This can take 6 months or more and in the meantime, you can work on improving your score and updating your profile. For example, you can retake language tests for better scores or get a job offer in Canada if you did not have one before.

Get invited to apply

If you are amongst the people with the most points, the Canadian Government will invite you to apply. In addition, if you are eligible and meet the requirements, the province you submitted your profile to will invite you to apply for the PNP.

When you are invited to apply, you must accept the invitation to be eligible for permanent residence. You can also refuse the invitation if you were chosen for a program that you was not amongst your first choice. If you refuse the invitation, you will have to go through the process again, submitting your profile and waiting to be selected.

Apply for permanent residence

The Government of Canada will send you the necessary forms you have to submit in order to apply for permanent residence. You will have to complete those forms as well as submit any supporting documents they ask of you in order for your application to be considered. You must also pay the fees, which are different depending on the program you are applying for.

You will have 60 days to complete the application for permanent residence and after you submit it, you will only be allowed to make important changes.

The Government of Canada will then evaluate your application for permanent residence for around 6 months and then notify you of their decision. If they approve your application, then you will be able to move to Canada permanently. If they deny it, they will inform you of the reasons which you can correct and apply again.

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Once your visa is approved, you will get a Permanent Resident Card. This card, otherwise known as a Canadian PR Card proves that you have permanent residence in Canada. You must have it with you at all times, especially when you travel.

You must be at least 18 years old to apply and you can apply with your child if they are under 18 years old.

What Are the Benefits of a Canada Permanent Visa?

As a Canada Permanent Resident, you are allowed to do the following:

• You can get most social benefits that Canadians get such as health care coverage;
• You can live, study, or work anywhere in Canada;
• You get protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
• You can apply for a Canadian citizenship once you are eligible;

To get these benefits though, you must regularly pay Canadian taxes and respect the laws. Even if you are a permanent resident of Canada, you are not allowed to vote or run for political office as well as hold jobs that need high-level security clearance.

What are the Types of the Permanent Canada Visas?

Depending on your situation, there are different ways to get an immigration visa for Canada. There are four categories which have their own visas for permanent residence, so you can get the status through the following:

• Finding a permanent job in Canada
• Getting sponsored by your family
• Opening a business or investing in Canada
• Other permanent visas

Finding a Permanent Job in Canada

The most attainable way to get a Permanent Canada Visa is to find a job in the country. There are different programs which will lead to such a visa, as described in the table below.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) visa is given to qualified tradespeople in different occupations such as:

• Electricians
• Carpenters
• Aircraft Mechanics
• Machinists
• Ironworkers
• Welders
• Crane Operators
• Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics
• Plumbers, etc.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) visa is given to those who have occupations which are required in Canada. You must check the types of occupations Canada needs when you start planning to apply and obtain the necessary points.

Provincial Nomination Programs

The Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP) visa is for semi or low-skilled workers who can contribute to the Canadian economy though their work. The workers get placement in different provinces of Canada where the demand for their work is higher.

Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program

If you have one of the occupations required in the Canadian province of Quebec and you are fluent in French, then you can apply for the Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) visa which will allow you to move and work permanently there.

Getting sponsored by your family

If you have close family in Canada such as a spouse, parents, or children who are Canadian Permanent Residents or Citizens, then you can get sponsored through them and call for family union. Through this, you can get on the Family Sponsorship Program which allows you to become a Permanent Resident of Canada.

Opening a business or investing in Canada

The Canadian economy is continuously developing and if you are a businessperson who can contribute to it with resources, then you can get one of the Canadian Permanent Visas as follows.

Immigrant Investor Program

The Immigrant Investor Program visa is given to people with a net worth of at least CAD$800,000 who will make investments in the Canadian economy.

They must invest at least CAD$400,000 and the government will return the investment to them in 5 years without any interest.

Immigrant Investor Program –Entrepreneur Program

The Entrepreneur Program visa is given to people with a net worth of at least CAD$300,000 who will be individually involved in contributing to the Canadian economy.

These investors must commit to owning and managing at least one third of a Canadian business as well as create and maintain employment within 3 years of being in the country.

Self-employed Persons Program

The Self-employed Persons Program visa is given to people who have skills in business, athletics, culture, or farming and can start their own businesses.

These people must demonstrate how they will finance the business and prove their skills in those particular areas.

Other permanent visas

Other permanent visas are those that do not necessarily fit within the categories above but are valid ways to get permanent residence in Canada.

Live-in Caregiver Program

This visa is given to caregivers that are qualified to care for elderly, disabled people, or children and live in a private home in Canada.

Canadian Experience Class

This visa is given to those who have a temporary student visa or a temporary workers visa and want to switch to a permanent resident status.

They either have a Canadian education or work experience and have settled into Canadian society.

What are the requirements of the Permanent Canada Visas?

All Canadian Visas have general requirements and visa specific requirements. The general requirements for the Permanent Canada Visas are as follows:

• A valid government-issued passport with at least one blank page that is not the last page.
• If you have application documents in a language other than English or French, you must translate them through an authorized and verified translator.
• Two (2) photos following the Canada Photo Requirements.
• Have a clean criminal history and prove it through court documents.
• Proof of paid visa and processing fees.
• Signed and filled out a Visa Application Center (VAC) consent form.
• Medical exam certificate.

If you fulfill these requirements, then you will have visa specific requirements.

How to apply for a Permanent Canada Visa?

Each Permanent Canada Visa has their own application process, but they have some similarities. In general, you will have to go through the following steps to apply.

1. Visit the Government of Canada website and go to Immigrate and then to “Find out if you can apply”. Take the questionnaire and wait for the results.
2. If you qualify for any of the permanent visas, you will get a reference code and instructions on how to apply.
3. Create an account using your bank information or the Government of Canada login (GCKey)/\.
4. Start and submit your application by inputting your reference code and completing the necessary documents.
5. When you submit your application, you will have to also pay the application fees.
6. Wait for processing and if necessary, attend a visa interview and give your biometrics information.
7. Check your account frequently for any notifications on the status of your visa processing.
8. If your visa is approved, mail in your passport according to the instructions that the Canadian Consulate sends you with the processing fees.
9. The Consulate will stamp the visa on your passport and send you a Permanent Resident Travel Card (PRTC) with your passport via mail.
10. You can then travel to Canada and wait for your Canada PR Card to be mailed to you.
11. Congratulations! You are a Canadian Permanent Resident.

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What is the Working Holiday Visa?

The Working Holiday Visa is a Canadian work visa that grants work and travel Canada opportunitis to young people (usually students) to go to Canada to get a job and visit the best places in the country. This visa is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which allows youth to work and travel, work in Canada as a Young Professional, or get an International Internship.

To qualify for the IEC and for the Working Holiday Canada, your country of citizenship must have an agreement with Canada to exchange young workers, or you can contact a Recognized Organization (RO). These recognized organizations help young people with their applications and in getting a job for a fee for the IEC Canada. Examples of Recognized Organizations that assist youth who want a Working Holiday Visa include:

• SWAP Working Holidays;
• GO International;
• Stepwest;

If your country is one of those that has the agreement with Canada or you choose a RO, then you can start the Working Holiday Canada process. With this visa, you will get an Open Work Permit, which means that you can go to Canada and then find a job. The visa is best when you want to travel in Canada and work in different places and for different employers, but you do not have a job offer yet.

The Working Holiday Visa allows you to stay in Canada for 1 year and then return to your home country. During this time, you are allowed to change employers and travel anywhere you want within the country.

How to apply for the Canada Working Holiday Visa?

The application process for the Working Holiday Visa can take some time and has these steps.

Step 1: Create your International Experience Canada Profile

In order to get into the applicant pool, you will have to submit your profile to the Government of Canada, as follows:

• Create your Government of Canada account using your GCKey or bank information in their official website;
• Take the eligibility test which will ask you questions about:
  • Country of residence;
  • Country of citizenship;
  • Country of permanent residence;
  • If you have a job offer;
  • If you are a student;
• If the system determines that you are eligible for the IEC, it will take you to the page where you have to fill out your profile forms.
• Complete the profile forms with the necessary information (personal information, passport number, travel information, contact information, etc).
• Submit your profile and find out whether the system determined that you can enter the pool for the working holiday visa.

You do not need to complete your whole profile immediately, but you must finish it and submit it within 60 days of starting it.

Step 2: Enter in the pool of applicants

The Government of Canada has a pool of applicants for each category of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program. After you complete your profile, you can enter in the pool of applicants for which you are eligible. In this case, you should enter in the pool of candidates for the Working Holiday Visa.

You may be eligible for more than one pool, so for example you can enter in both the Young Professionals and the Working Holiday Visa. However, you cannot enter twice for one pool of candidates.

You will be in the pool of candidates for one season, so for one year. If the season ends and you do not get the invitation to apply, then you must submit your profile again.

Step 3: Get an invitation to apply

During one season, there are different schedules when the Government of Canada randomly picks candidates from a pool and invites them to apply. You can check the schedule for the rounds of invitations, number of candidates in the pool, and your chances of being selected here.

If you get picked for an invitation, it will show up as a message on your account. You can then accept the invitation or decline it. When you are invited, you will have 10 days to decide about the invitation. If you decline the invitation, you then continue to stay in the candidate pool for the next round of invitations.

If you are in more than one pool, you will have to decline one invitation to get the other. For example, if you are in the Young Professionals and Working Holiday pool and get an invitation for the Young Professionals, you will have to decline it so as to get a chance to be selected for the Working Holiday Visa.

If you accept the invitation, you will then have 20 days to apply for a work permit.

Step 4: Apply for a work permit

Since you will only have 20 days to submit the application for a work permit, you must start immediately. You will first need to fill out the necessary forms with the information you provided when you submitted your profile.

For the Working Holiday work permit, you will have a section where it will ask you about your offer of employment. You must do the following:

• In the field of the Offer of Employment Number, you must type “A9999999”;
• Select “No” in the question “Has your employer paid the Employer Compliance Fee?”;
• In the employer address field type “Non-applicable – Working Holiday”;

Once you fill out all the forms, the system will generate a list of supporting documents that you have to submit. This list is personalized, but it can contain the following:

Police Certificates – for all countries where you have lived for more than 6 months since you were 18 years old. If you cannot get all of them in 20 days, then you must submit proof that you have requested them and be ready to show them to an official at the Canadian Consulate later on. If you have a criminal record, you will not be allowed to have a work permit.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume – which shows your education, qualifications, employment history, and you current job and location.

Medical Exam – if you are planning to work in a job which requires it or if you have lived in countries which pose a danger to your health, you should visit a doctor who will issue a certificate of good health. This form is IMM 1017B – Upfront Medical Report, which you must upload in your application. If you cannot get this form in the 20 days you can submit the application, then you can attach proof that you are waiting for the form.

Passport and Digital Photo – You must submit a clear copy of your passport that is valid until the date of your departure from Canada. Also, you must submit a digital photo of yourself according to the Photo Requirements.

Submit other forms:

• IMM 5645 – Family Information;
• IMM 5707 – Family Information;
• Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada.

If you are using a Recognized Organization, submit a letter which proves that the RO is assisting you for your Working Holiday in Canada

Step 5: Pay the Fees and Submit Application

You must pay the International Experience Canada fee of CAD$100 and the Open Work Permit Holder fee of CAD$100 for the Working Holiday Visa. If you are asked to submit biometrics, you will also have to pay an additional biometrics fee of CAD$85.

Pay these fees and then submit the application for the work permit. The Government of Canada will go through the application and inform you whether you are eligible or not. If you are, they will let you know of the next steps you must take. The Consulate may ask you to go through an interview or submit more information. You must complete their requirements, or your work permit application will be denied.

Step 6: Get your PoE Letter and Travel to Canada

If your application is approved, you will get a letter of introduction or Port of Entry (PoE) Letter to Canada. You must have that letter with you at all times when you travel. You can now book your flight to Canada and find accommodation. When you first enter Canada, you will need to have with you these documents:

• Your passport;
• Your PoE letter of Introduction;
• Proof that you have enough funds for your stay in Canada for the first 3 months (CAD$2,500);
• Proof that you have valid health insurance in Canada;
• A return ticket from Canada to your country of residence or enough funds to purchase a ticket;
• Copies of the supporting documents from your work permit application (See: Step 4);

The validity of your work permit is at the discretion of the Canadian Consulate, but it usually is for 1 year. After your work permit expires, you must return to your home country or you will face the risk of deportation.

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To start studying in a Canadian university, you must first get a student visa which consists of a visitor visa and a study permit. You must also enroll in a program that is longer than 6 months and start studying in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). A DLI is an institution which has been approved to accept international students by the Canadian Government.

The student visa is valid for the time that you are enrolled in university and it expires after you graduate. However, many students want to stay in Canada to get work experience after they graduate. To be able to do that they must enroll in the Post Graduate Work Program.

This article will go through this program, what it is, how to apply, and other relevant details.

Can I stay in Canada to work after I graduate?

After graduation, a lot of students want to get some work experience and Canada and ask whether they can find a job and stay for some time. The Canadian Government allows this if the student who just graduated is eligible and approved for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada.

The PGWP allows the graduated student to stay in Canada and work for a Canadian company depending on the duration of their studies and their eligibility.

What are the requirements for the Post Graduate Work Permit in Canada?

The PGWP will essentially give you temporary residence in Canada and therefore has many requirements. To be eligible for the PGWP, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old;
• You must have studied in Canada as a full-time student for at least 8 months;
• You must have proof that you have completed your study program;
• You must have graduated from one of the following institution:
  • Public college or university in any Canadian province or a vocational education program from Quebec;
  • Private college or university which abides to the same rules as a public university or college in Quebec;
  • Private secondary or post-secondary school in Quebec which offers programs of 900 hours or longer and leads to a professional diploma;
  • Canadian private school which can award degrees such as a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD;
• You must apply for a work permit within 90 days of your graduation;
• You must have a valid study permit at the time of your application for the work permit.

However, there are also some special cases which can make you qualify for a PGWP even if you do not fulfill the requirements above:

• You were enrolled in an accelerated program which was supposed to last for 8 months, but you finished it in 6 months;
• You transferred from one DLI to another and the combined length of your studies in the two institutions was more than 8 months;
• You transferred from an institution that was not a DLI to one that is a DLI and studied for 8 months or more in the DLI (the time you spent at the school that was not a DLI does not qualify you for a PGWP);
• You studied part time during your last semester due to a lighter course load;
• You are a flight instructor who:
  • Has completed a course for flight training at a Canadian training center and now you have a Canadian commercial pilot license, or
  • You are in the process of getting the instructor rating and a job offer in the position of a flight instructor from a flight training center ;
• If you are graduating from a Quebec vocational or professional training program you must fulfill these criteria:
  • You must have graduated from a public or private secondary school or from a private post-secondary school;
  • Your diploma must be a Diploma in Vocational Studies (DEP), Attestation of Vocational Specialization (ASP), Diploma in College Studies (DEC), or Attestation of College Studies (AEC);
  • Your program must have been full time for 8 months or more.

You must fulfill these requirements to be eligible for the PGWP or you cannot stay in Canada after you graduate and must return to your home country 90 days after graduation.

You cannot get a PGWP if you are in one of these situations:

• You have been in a study program that is less than 8 months long;
• You have studied for more than 8 months but the time has not been continuous;
• You were part of the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program which is funded by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC);
• You were part of the Government of Canada Awards Program funded by the GAC;
• You had funding from the GAC;
• You had an Equal Opportunity Scholarship of Canada – Chile;
• You were part of the Canada – China Scholars Exchanges Program;
• You were part of the Organization of American States Fellowships Program;
• You completed your study program as a distance learning student from abroad or from within Canada;
• You have already had a PGWP.

How to apply for the PGWP?

The application procedure for the Post Graduation Work Permit is not very complicated and can be completed either online using your Government of Canada login (GCKey or bank details) or in person by submitting a paper application.

Since the processing time for online applications is shorter than paper applications, we recommend trying to apply online if you are eligible. To start application, go to the Government of Canada website and fill out the following forms:

• IMM 5710 – Application to Change Condition, Extend my Stay, or Remain in Canada as a Worker;
• IMM 5409 – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if you have a common-law partner);
• IMM 5476 – Use of Representative (if you are giving permission to someone to apply for you);
• IMM 5475 – Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (if you are using a representative);

In addition to the forms, you must also submit other documents such as:

• A copy of your valid passport;
• A copy of your current valid immigration documents such as study permit, work permit, visitor visa, etc.;
• Your final university transcript;
• A letter from your school confirming that you have graduated ;
• A letter from your school confirming the length of your study program (in hours or in months) and the program code if you have studied in Quebec;

Once you have submitted all the necessary documents, you will be directed to pay the fees for the PGWP application. Afterwards, you have to wait for processing and then the Government of Canada will notify you via mail or email on their decision. If your PGWP is approved, you may start working immediately for the time that has been allowed for you.

How long is the processing time for the PGWP?

After you submit the application for the Post Grad Work Permit, the Government of Canada has to process it. If you have applied through their online system, you will have to wait around 51 days for the PGWP application to be processed. If you have submitted a paper application, then you will have to wait 107 days for processing.

What are the fees for the PGWP?

To submit your application for the PGWP, you will have to pay the application fees. The PGWP is considered an open work permit so it is slightly more expensive than the student work permit.

More specifically, you will have to pay the standard work permit application fee of CAD$155 and an additional CAD$100 for the open work permit to get the PGWP. So, in total, your PGWP application will cost CAD$255.

How long is the PGWP valid?

The validity of the PGWP depends on how long your study program was.

• If your study program was less than 8 months long, you are not eligible for a PGWP;
• If your study program was between 8 months and 2 years, your PGWP may be valid for the whole length of your study program (so if your program was 10 months, your PGWP will be valid for 10 months);
• If your study program was 2 years or longer, your PGWP may be valid for 3 years;
• If you studied in more than 1 program, your PGWP may be issued for up to 3 years.

Can I get Permanent Residence in Canada with a PGWP?

After you complete your PGWP, you may be wondering if you qualify for Canadian Permanent Residence. That depends on whether you fulfill the requirements for any of the Canadian permanent residences you can gain through working such as:

• Canadian Experience Class;
• Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP);
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP);
• Provincial Nominee Program;
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Whether you qualify for any of these permanent residence programs depends on your language abilities (English and/or French), your job type (managerial, trade, skilled, etc), whether you have family in Canada who are citizens or permanent residents and so on.

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This article will go through what the Open Work Permit is and its details.

What is an Open Work Permit Canada?

An Open Work Permit otherwise known as an International Mobility Program for Canada is a type of work permit that is not specific to a certain job. All other work permits are issued for the holder to work for one employer, but the Open Work Permit allows you to change employers as long as the permit is valid.

If you are applying as a Temporary Foreign Worker, then this permit will allow you to work in Canada for 6 months or less. During this time, you can change employers as long as they are accepted by the Canadian Government and are not involved with activities not accepted by the Government.

Different from other types of work permits, the Open Work Permit does not require you to submit the following information:

• A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) document that your employer would need to have;
• Any proof that your employer has extended an offer to you through the Employer Portal or paid the employer compliance fee;

What are the types of Open Work Permits?

There are different conditions under which you can get an Open Work Permit. It may be completely unrestricted or have some restrictions as the Canadian Consulate sees fit. In general, there are 3 types of Open Work Permits:

• Unrestricted work permits which allow you to change employers, occupation, and the location of work;
• Restricted work permits which allow you to change employer but do not allow you to change your occupation;
• Restricted work permits which allow you to change employer but do not allow you to change the location of work;

The decision on what type of open work permit to issue you is up to the officer at the Canadian Consulate based on the documents that you submit when you apply.

What are the requirements for the Canada Open Work Permit?

To be eligible for an open work permit, you must fulfill several sets of criteria. One of the sets of requirements is on your situation as to whether you can apply for the permit or not. You can only apply for an Open Work Permit if you are in one of the following groups:

• A temporary resident permit holder.
• An international student who has graduated from a Canadian education institution and is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
• A student who cannot afford the cost of their studies.
• A person who has applied for permanent residence in Canada.
• A family member of a person who has applied for permanent residence in Canada.
• A spouse or common-law partner of an international student or skilled worker.
• A refugee, protected person, refugee claimant, or a family member.
• A young worker in special programs.

As a temporary worker, you must meet the eligibility criteria of the Temporary Visa in order to qualify for the Open Work Permit. In addition, you must also fulfill the following requirements:

• You must prove that you will leave Canada after your work permit expires;
• You must prove that you can finance your stay and your family’s stay in Canada and that you have enough funds to go back to your home country;
• You must prove that you have a clean criminal record;
• You must prove that you are not a threat to the national security of Canada;
• You must be in good health;
• You must be willing to respect the conditions of your open work permit even if the officer issues a restricted one;
• You must prove that you will not work for an employer that offers striptease, erotic dance, erotic massage, or escort services;

You can also apply for an extension of the Open Work Permit or for your first Open Work Permit from inside Canada if you meet these requirements:

• You have a Canadian study permit or an open work permit that will expire soon;
• You have a degree from a Canadian education institution;
• You are a temporary resident of Canada;
• You are awaiting the decision on your application for refugee status;
• You already have refugee or protected person status;
• Your application to get refugee status was denied but you cannot leave Canada for reasons beyond your control;

How to apply for an Open Work Permit?

The Open Work Permit application process has several steps which you must go through, as follows:

Get a job offer

You must have a job offer from a Canadian employer in order to qualify for a work permit application. Because of this, you have to start early and apply to different companies. You can apply through different online resources or sign up for any headhunting services which for a small fee will find you a job.

Once you have the job and get the open work permit, you will have the chance to switch employers, but in order to be able to send an Open Work Permit application, you will need the job.

Apply for the visa and work permit

If you meet all the requirements and have a job offer from a Canadian employer, then you can apply for the visa and the work permit. The application must be done through the Canadian Consulate in your home country. You must go through the following steps:

• Create an account or submit a paper application – you have the option of applying online through the Government of Canada website using your credentials or your bank account information. Otherwise, you can apply by sending in your documents as hard copies.

Submit the application forms which include:

• IMM 1295 – Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada;
• Schedule 1 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa;
• IMM 5645 – Family Information Form;
• IMM 5409 – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if applicable);
• IMM 5476 – Use of Representative Form (if applicable);
• IMM 5475 – Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (if applicable);

Submit supporting documents which include:

• Your passport which must be valid for more than 6 months after your planned date of entry into Canada;
• A photocopy of your passport and all its pages;
• Two photos as per the Photo Requirements;
• Valid job offer from your employer;
• Proof of current immigration status (if your country of residence is different from your country of citizenship);
• Police record certificates;
• Your resume or CV;
• Your education diplomas and certificates;
• Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable);
• Copy of children’s birth certificates (if applicable);
• If you will be working in Quebec, you need a Certificate d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ);
• Any other documents that the Consulate of Canada requires;

• Complete the medical examination – It is best if you go through the medical exam to prove that you are in good health. You can do so at any licensed doctor which can sign the documents for you after you go through the necessary tests. If you do not have a medical exam, you will not be allowed to work in child care, primary or secondary school teaching, health service occupations, or agricultural occupations. In order not to limit your choices of jobs, it is recommended to complete the medical exams.
• Attend the visa interview – The officials of the Canadian Consulate might want to interview you to determine that you will return to your home country once your open work permit expires and that you have been truthful in your application. You must attend the interview at the appointed time and answer any questions that they ask you. They might also ask for you to give your biometric information after the interview, which you must do.

Wait for processing

When you submit the application, documents, medical examination records, and complete the interview, you will then wait for processing. The Open Work Permit Canada processing time can be from 3 to 27 weeks depending on your country of citizenship. After this time passes, you will get a decision from the Canadian Consulate.

Travel to Canada

If your Open Work Permit is approved by the Consulate, you can make travel and accommodation arrangements in Canada. When you land in Canada, the Port of Entry (PoE) officers will stop you for checking. They will check your documents and ask questions about your purpose of visit and how long you will be in Canada. Give them all your documents and answer all the questions since they have the authority to not let you into the country if they suspect you are not being truthful.

What are the Open Work Permit Fees?

The Open Work Permit is slightly more expensive than an employer specific work permit. You will have to pay an initial work permit application fee of CAD$155 and an Open Work Permit fee of CAD$100. In total this type of work permit will cost CAD$255.

Can I bring my dependents to Canada with an Open Work Permit?

You are allowed to bring your spouse or common law partner and minor children with you to Canada when you go to work there on an open permit. You must include their documents in your application so as to be evaluated as a family.

After your arrival in Canada, your spouse or common law partner can also apply as an Open Work Permit Canada spouse if they meet the eligibility criteria.

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One of the work visas is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which is designed to help those who want to work in Canada for a short period of time. This article will go through what the TFWP is and how to apply for it.

What is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is a temporary Canada work visa that was created by the Canadian Government to provide opportunities for foreign workers who want to get employment in Canada for a short period of time. The TFWP allows people to work in the country for only 6 months, with possibilities of extensions.

During this time, the foreign worker is allowed to only work for one employer and they get a work permit and visa. They can live in the place in Canada where their job is and must abide by Canadian laws. When the work permit and visa are close to expiration, the worker can apply for an extension of the work permit or they must leave Canada and return to their home country.

What are the requirements for the temporary foreign worker?

The requirements to become a temporary foreign worker in Canada are quite extensive. The Canadian Government wants to protect the jobs of their citizens and permanent residents therefore it requires proof that the foreign worker is absolutely necessary to a Canadian company. Because of this, the most important requirements to become a temporary foreign worker is to have a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

The LMIA is a document which the Canadian employer must get from the government. It certifies that the employer has tried to find an employee in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident, but there was no one who was willing, available, or qualified to work that job. Because no person within Canada was found for that job, the employer needs a foreign worker. The LMIA takes a few months to get, therefore, the procedure must start as early as possible.

Other requirements to qualify for the TFWP are:

• You must have a job in Canada
• You must prove that you will leave Canada after your work permit expires;
• You must prove that you can finance your stay and your family’s stay in Canada and that you have enough funds to go back to your home country;
• You must prove that you have a clean criminal record;
• You must prove that you are not a threat to the national security of Canada;
• You must be in good health;
• You must prove that you will not work for an employer that offers striptease, erotic dance, erotic massage, or escort services;

You must meet these requirements in order to have an application accepted and to be considered for the TFW program.

How to apply for the TFW program?

In order to apply for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, you must follow a series of steps as outlined below.

Get a job offer in Canada

All Canadian work visas require the applicant to first have a job offer from a Canadian company before applying for a work permit. Therefore, if you have decided that you want to work there, you must start your search as soon as possible. You can look for a job online, through different job portals or the Canadian government’s Job Bank. At the end of this step, you must have a valid job offer letter sent to you from a Canadian employer.

Get the LMIA

Your employer must apply to get the LMIA through the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), where they will assess the effect of hiring a foreign worker to the Canadian labor market. If your employer is approved for the LMIA, then you can move to the next step, but if the LMIA is denied, then the employer should either try again or you must find another job.

Apply for the work visa and permit

After you get the LMIA, you can then properly apply for the work visa and permit. You must apply to the Canadian Consulate, either online through their website, or in person to the Consulate office in your country.

Your application must include these forms:

• IMM 1295 – Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada;
• Schedule 1 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa;
• IMM 5645 – Family Information Form;
• IMM 5409 – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if applicable);
• IMM 5476 – Use of Representative Form (if applicable);
• IMM 5475 – Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (if applicable);

The supporting documents to apply for a TFWP may include:

• Your passport which must be valid for more than 6 months after your planned date of entry into Canada;
• A photocopy of your passport and all its pages;
• Two photos as per the Photo Requirements;
• Valid job offer from your employer;
• Proof of current immigration status (if your country of residence is different from your country of citizenship);
• Police record certificates;
• Your resume or CV;
• Your education diplomas and certificates;
• Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable);
• Copy of children’s birth certificates (if applicable);
• If you will be working in Quebec, you need a Certificate d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ);
• Any other documents that the Consulate of Canada requires;

Complete the medical examination

It is best if you go through the medical exam to prove that you are in good health. You can do so at any licensed doctor which can sign the documents for you after you go through the necessary tests. If you do not have a medical exam, you will not be allowed to work in child care, primary or secondary school teaching, health service occupations, or agricultural occupations. In order not to limit your choices of jobs, it is recommended to complete the medical exams.

Attend the visa interview

The officials of the Canadian Consulate might want to interview you to determine that you will return to your home country once your work permit expires and that you have been truthful in your application. You must attend the interview at the appointed time and answer any questions that they ask you. They might also ask for you to give your biometric information after the interview, which you must do.

Wait for processing

After submitting all the necessary documents, you will wait for the Consulate to process the application. The average processing time depends on the country, but it can take from 3 to 27 weeks for you to get an answer about your status. The Consulate will either accept or deny your application. If they accept, they will send you additional instructions, while if they deny your application, they will send you the reasons why. You can then take them into account and improve your application when you apply the next time.

Travel to Canada

The final step is for you to travel to Canada. You can make travel and accommodation arrangements and when you land in Canada, the Port of Entry (PoE) officers will stop you for checking. They will check your documents and ask questions about your purpose of visit and how long you will be in Canada. Give them all your documents and answer all the questions since they have the authority to not let you into the country if they suspect you are not being truthful.

What are the fees for the Temporary Work Permit of Canada?

To apply for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, you will have to pay an initial application fee of CAD$155. This fee will be necessary for the Consulate to process your application and you will have to pay for it every time you apply, even if you are applying for extensions. In addition, if you are asked to give your biometrics information, you will also have to pay a fee of CAD$85.

How long is the Temporary Work Permit valid?

The initial temporary work permit is valid for 6 months or less; however, the Government of Canada has allowed holders to file for extensions. To file for an extension, you must collect the documents again and apply from inside Canada. The length of the extension will be up to the Canadian Government, but in general, the maximum time that you will be allowed to stay in Canada through the TFW program is 4 years. After that, you will have to return to your home country.

Can I bring my dependents to Canada while on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Canada?

The rules of the TFWP in Canada allow for the holder of the work permit to bring their close family and dependents with them to Canada. This includes your spouse or common law partner and minor children. When you first apply for the TFWP, you should include your family’s documents too so that the Consulate can process them all together.

However, even though the dependents are allowed to accompany you, it is up to the Canadian Government whether to allow your spouse or common-law partner to get a work permit and find a job in Canada. Their decisions are case and country specific so you should contact the Consulate to ask for more details.

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If you want to work in Canada, you must have a Canadian work permit which allows you to find an employer or to sign a contract for work. A work permit is a document for which you must apply when you apply for the visa to go to Canada. The application is done at the same time and the Consular Office will treat your visa application as a work permit application.

There are two ways through which you can get a Canada work permit:

• Through Temporary Work Visas
• Through Permanent or Immigrant Work Visas

The first group of visas allows you to work in Canada for six months or less as a temporary worker. The second group of visas is given to those who are immigrating in Canada because they have found a suitable job. This article will focus on the Temporary Work Visa overview.

What Are the Canada Temporary Work Visas?

A Temporary Work Visa for Canada is a combination of a Temporary Resident Visa and a Work Permit. With a TRV, you are allowed to stay in Canada for 6 months or less, while the Work Permit for Canada allows you to also work in the job that you have already found or to look for a job.

This work visa for Canada is not permanent and will expire after a few months or years depending on the type you have. This means that after the Canadian work visa expires, then you can either apply to have it renewed or return to your home country. The maximum amount of time you can work temporarily in Canada with all extensions is 4 years. However, that is not applicable for each case and may depend on the country you are from and which type of visa you have.

You cannot stay and work in Canada after your visa expires because you will put yourself at risk for deportation. This means you will not be able to get a Canada visa again.

Who Needs a Temporary Work Visa for Canada?

Anyone who intends to enter Canada with the reasons to work and earn a salary must get a Temporary Work Visa, or Work Permit. You must be involved in these activities to need the work permit:

• Your intention is to become employed in Canada with a salary.
• You will get your salary from a company that is registered in Canada as a business.
• Your primary location of work will be Canada.
• Your salary will be paid to you and deposited in a Canadian bank account.

However, if your place of work is outside Canada and you are in the country for a short period of time for work purposes, then you do not need a work permit.

Those who may not need a Canadian work permit are the following groups of visitors:

• Foreign Government Workers.
• Foreign Government Representatives and their family members.
• Military personnel.
• Business visitors.
• Performing artists.
• Athletes and their team members.
• Judges, referees, or similar workers.
• Media crews and news reporters.
• Public speakers and convention organizers.
• Evaluators and examiners.
• Clergy.
• Health care students.
• Students who are working on campus.
• Civil aviation inspectors.
• Aviation accident inspectors.
• Emergency service providers.
• Expert witnesses and investigators.
• Researchers who have to work in Canada for 120 days only.

If you do not belong to any of these groups, then you will need a Temporary Work Visa and Permit.

Am I Eligible to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa and Permit?

In order to qualify, any applicant who wants to work in Canada temporarily must be eligible and fulfill the Canada work visa eligibility criteria as follows:

• Prove you are willing to leave Canada and return to your home country when your work permit expires.
• Respect the conditions of your work permit, depending on whether it is open and you can work for any employer or if it is specific and you are only allowed to work for one employer;
• Prove you will not work for an employer who is engaged in a work type that is prohibited such as striptease services, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages;

If you are applying for the work permit and visa from outside of Canada, so from your home country, you must also fulfill the Temporary Visa requirements.

On the other hand, if you are applying from inside Canada, then you must also fulfill these Canada work permit requirements:

• You are currently in Canada with a study permit or you have a work permit that will expire soon.
• Graduated from a Canadian educational institution.
• Gave a temporary resident permit that is valid for 6 or more months.
• Applied for refugee status in Canada and are waiting for a decision.
• You are already a refugee or protected person.
• Your application for refugee status has been denied but you cannot leave Canada for reasons beyond your control;

What are the types of Temporary Work Visas for Canada?

To address all the needs of foreign workers, the Government of Canada issues different types of Temporary Work Visas depending on the needs of the applicant. There are 4 types of work permits or work visas that you can get:

Temporary Foreign Workers Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is the standard temporary worker visa. It is issued to foreign workers who already have a job offer from a Canadian company and for which the company has already obtained a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the Government of Canada.

Open Work Permit

The Open Work Permit is given to foreign workers who are going to Canada with a job offer but the permit allows them to switch employers. This is different from the other work permits/visas because it is not employer specific. The other work permits/visas do not allow you to change employers while in Canada.

Working Holiday Visa

The Working Holiday Visa is given to young people from 30 countries, so they can work in Canada and travel. It is a random selection visa which means that applicants will submit their applications and wait to be randomly selected to apply for the work permit.

Post Graduate Work Permit

The Post Graduate Work Permit is given to students who have completed a degree from a Canadian educational institution and want to stay in Canada longer through working.

How to Apply for a Temporary Work Visa for Canada?

An overview of the steps on how to apply for a work visa for Canada are as follows:

Get a temporary job offer from a Canadian Company

Depending on the type of work permit that you are applying for, you will most likely need a job offer from an employer in Canada.

• If you are getting an Open Work Permit, you will have the chance to switch employers and find a different one once you are in Canada. But if you want an employer specific permit, then you will need to find the job before you apply for it.
• To get the Foreign Temporary Workers Visa, you must find a job in Canada from your home country.
• If you are only planning to go to Canada and look for the job, then you must skip this step.
• If you are applying for a working holiday visa, your chances of getting the visa will be higher if you already know where you will work.

There are many resources online which will help you with your job search in Canada. You can visit different websites, or you can contact head hunting services in Canada and pay them to find you a job. Whichever way you choose, you will need the employer to agree to send you a job offer for temporary work before you apply for the work visa.

The company you will work for must have a LMIA

After you find the job, the company that has agreed to hire you must apply for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the Government of Canada. A LMIA is a document which the government issues and serves as an authorization for the company to hire foreign temporary workers.

The company you want to work for must apply for it and demonstrate that by giving you this job, they are not taking jobs away from Canadian citizens of permanent residents. They must prove that there are no willing, available, or qualified people within Canada for that job position, and therefore they must hire foreign workers. After they get the LMIA, you must have the document and then apply for work permit in Canada.

Submit the application for Canada Work Visa and Permit

After the Canadian Government issues the LMIA to the company that has hired you, then it is time to apply for the Temporary Work Visa. You can do this online through the Government of Canada website or in person at any Canadian Consulate Office.

You must submit the application forms and the supporting documents which will be evaluated from the Consular officers. The officers might also ask you to have a medical examination as well as an interview to determine your eligibility and whether you would return from Canada after your work permit expires.

To apply for a Canadian work visa, you must submit the following application forms and supporting documents:

• Application forms which include:
  • IMM 1295 – Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada.
  • Schedule 1 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa.
  • Family Information Form IMM 5645.
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union IMM 5409 (if applicable).
  • IMM 5476 – Use of Representative Form (if applicable).
  • IMM 5475 – Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (if applicable).
• Your passport which must be valid for more than 6 months after your planned date of entry into Canada.
• A photocopy of your passport and all its pages.
• Two photos as per the Photo Requirements.
• Proof of current immigration status (if your country of residence is different from your country of citizenship).
• Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Copy of children’s birth certificates (if applicable).
• Police record certificates. You must prove you have no criminal record in the past and that you have been a law-abiding citizen
• Proof of having enough funds in your bank account to finance yours and your family’s stay in Canada as well as enough to return to your home country.
• Your resume or CV.
• Your education diplomas and certificates.
• Valid job offer from your employer.
• The LMIA document.
• If you will be working in Quebec, you need a Certificate d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ).
• Complete the medical examination. The officials of the Canadian Consulate may ask you to go through a medical exam to prove that you are in good health and able to work. You must follow their instructions and require a licensed doctor to sign your documents.

Complete the Canada Work visa interview.

The officials might also ask for an interview to determine that you have submitted the right document and that you are being truthful. Most often, they will try to determine whether you will return back to your home country after your work permit expires. You must show up at the scheduled time for your interview and answer the questions honestly.

Wait for processing

When you submit the Canadian work visa application, the consular officers will have to process it and make a decision. Depending on the country you are from, the work permit processing time is between 3 to 27 weeks. After this, the officers will issue a decision on whether you can work in Canada or not.

Travel to Canada

If the Government of Canada decided that you can work in the country, then you can start making travel and accommodation arrangements. When you get to the Port of Entry (PoE) in Canada you must show them all your documents and your approved work permit.

The PoE officers have the authority to decide whether they want to let you into the country and for how long. Even if the Consular Office issues a visa for 6 months, the PoE officers can issue it for only 3 months and you will only have that time to work in Canada. After that, you will have to apply for an extension or return to your home country.

How Long is the Canada Work Visa Valid?

The temporary Canada work visa is valid for 6 months or less. After that, you have the option of applying for an extension to the Consulate or return to your home country. The amount of time that you are allowed to stay in Canada with all extensions is no more than 4 years. The length of the extensions though depends on the Canadian Consulate decisions.

What are the Fees for the Canada Work Visa?

When you apply for the work permit and visa, you will have to pay the application fees. The fee for the work permit is CAD$155. Every time you submit an application for an extension, you will have to pay this fee again. If you are applying for an Open Work Permit, the fee is CAD$100.

Can I Bring my Dependents With me With a Canada Work Visa?

The Canadian Government allows the person who has the work permit to add his close family to the application. The people who are allowed to accompany you to Canada are your spouse or common-law partner and minor children. When you apply, you must add their documents to the application too so as to be considered a family application.

Can I Apply for Permanent Residence with a Canada Work Visa?

You cannot apply for permanent residence with a Canada temporary work visa; however, while you are in Canada, you can apply for Permanent Visas such as:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
• Live-In Caregiver Program.

You must meet the eligibility criteria for these visas. It is not guaranteed that you will be approved for them, but the application procedures will be easier if you are already working in Canada.

Canada Work Visa Extension

Since the Work Visa is not permanent (six months or less) once it is about to expire, you can either apply to extend it or return to your home country after expiry. If you want to extend your work visa, you have to apply for a visa extension at least 30 days before expiry.

You can only apply for a work visa extension if:

• You sign a new work contract with your employer AND
• Your employer gets a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA); OR
• Your employer pays for the employer compliance fee and submits a new employment offer

You can apply for the work permit extension in one of two ways: online and on paper.

To apply online you will need to create an account on IRCC’s website. There, you can find document checklists, application forms, and guidelines on how to apply. To apply on paper, you need to download the application package, fill out all the application forms, print and sign them, get all the necessary documents, pay the fees, and mail them to the address given on the application package.

The necessary documents and forms for a work permit extension

Forms

• Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)
• If applicable: Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)

Documents

You will need the same documents as for a Visitor Record (see above). However, you will also need additional documents such as:

• If you have one: Copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and a copy of your job offer letter from your prospective employer.
• If your employer has not obtained a LMIA, include a copy of the Offer of Employment number your employer gives you.
• For a live-in caregiver: Photocopy of signed employment contract.
• If working in Quebec: A Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI)
• If participating in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program: Proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay.
• For students: Academic standing – photocopies of transcripts from your last two study periods or letter from the institutional registrar.
• For provincial nominees:
  • Proof of nomination.
  • Offer of employment from someone in your province.
  • Statement from your province identifying your job and employer along with the details of your job (payment, working conditions, the nature of the job). The statement must also reveal that your employer needs you on the job and that the job offer will provide economic benefits.

Documents required for work permit extension for spouses/common law partners

Spouse/common-law partners of open permit workers

• Employment contract/job offer of the primary foreign worker’s current employer which confirms his/her employment.
• Copy of the primary foreign worker’s last three payslips
• Copy of the primary foreign worker’s work permit

Spouse/common-law partners of full-time students

• A valid enrollment letter of the student as a Canadian educational institution.
• Copy of the student’s study permit.

Documents required for work permit extension for refugee claimants

• Proof you are unable to support yourself without social welfare.
• Proof you referred your refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee board (IRB)

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This article will go through the details of the student visa and study permits.

What is a Canada Student Visa?

A Canada Student Visa allows the person who has it to start their studies in Canada. The visa for students is basically the same as a Canada Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTa), but the student also needs a study permit. So the Canada student visa is a combination of either a visitor visa and a study permit or an eTA and a study permit.

The Canada study visa will only allow you to start your studies in Canada at what are called Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). The study permit allows you to stay in Canada until your program ends and in some cases work while you are enrolled in school or work after you graduate. To keep the Canada study visa, you must fulfill these conditions:

• Always be enrolled in a DLI.
• Be working to complete your study program.
• Meet the requirements of the student visa.
• Stop studying if you do not meet the requirements of the student visa.
• Leave Canada immediately once your study permit expires.

The study permit will not allow you to get Canadian issued documents or Canadian government benefits such as health benefits. It will however create an easier path for you to be able to apply for a Canadian citizenship if that is your goal.

What is a Designated Learning Institution?

As mentioned, you can only get a Canada student visa if you are enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). DLIs are schools or universities which are approved by the provincial or territorial government to allow them to host international students.

All primary and secondary schools that are in Canada are by default DLIs; however, there are many universities or other educational institutions which are not certified DLIs. You must not apply in those, since you will not be allowed to attend them even if they accept you.

To check whether a university or educational institution is a DLI, follow this link. It will take you to the Government of Canada website which is the official institution for all Canadian visas. In the page, you must select the province or territory and it will generate a list of all institutions which are DLIs. You can check there whether the place you want to apply to is a DLI or not.

If while you are attending the institution, it loses its DLI status, then you can continue studying there until your study permit expires. If your permit expires before you complete your degree, then you must enroll in a new institution which is a DLI to be able to get a new study permit.

Who Needs a Canadian Study Permit?

All international students who want to study in Canada and who need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada must get a student visa and permit. The permit in itself does not allow you to enter Canada, but coupled with a visitor visa or eTA, it gives you permission to start your studies.

However, there are some groups of people who might not need a study permit to study in Canada if they are in certain situations, such as:

• If your study program is less than 6 months in Canada, you will only need a visitor visa or eTA, but not a study permit on the condition that you complete the program in 6 months or less. If you cannot complete the short program in 6 months, then you will need a study permit.
• If you are a family or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada who is accredited by the Global Affairs Canada, then you do not need a study permit.
• If you are a member of the foreign armed forces in Canada and are on official duties, you do not need a study permit, but your family members might need one.
• If you are a citizen of another country who has a Registered Indian Status in Canada, you do not need a study permit.
• If you are a minor child in Canada, then you do not need a study permit if you are:
• In kindergarten;
• A refugee or refugee claimant;
• If your parents are refugees or refugee claimants;
• Going to pre-school, primary or secondary school and you have a parent who is allowed to work or study in Canada.

Do I Qualify for a Canada Student Visa?

To be eligible to apply for a Canada Student visa and permit you must fulfill the following conditions:

• Have a valid acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with this information:
  • An official letterhead of the school.
  • The program and degree you will obtain.
  • The amount of tuition fees you must pay.
  • The start and finishing dates of the program.
• Be at least 18 years old to apply as the primary student visa applicant and your children who are under 18 years old cannot apply alone. So, if you have a child who wants to attend primary or secondary school, you must apply on their behalf.
• Have a clean criminal history and submit court documents to prove it.
• You must fill and sign a Visa Application Center (VAC) Consent Form.
• You must submit copies of your current immigration status in another country or in Canada.
• Prove that your stay in Canada is temporary and that you will return to your home country once your studies are over.

Canada Student Visa Requirements

When you complete the forms, you will also have to submit the following supporting documents:

• Your passport scan to prove that it is valid.
• Your travel history, meaning your whole passport scanned to also prove that you have blank pages in it.
• Letters from the court and police in your country to prove you have a clean criminal record;
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a visa and study permit.
• Two photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements.
• Medical examinations.
• Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas.
• Proof that you can cover the expenses of studying in Canada (tuition and living costs) through one of the following:
  • You must have proof of a Canadian bank account that is in your name;
  • You must have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) issued by a Canadian financial institution.
  • You must have proof that you have taken a student loan from a bank.
  • You must have bank statements for at least the past 4 months.
  • You must have proof that you have already paid your tuition and housing fees.
  • You must have a letter from a person or institution giving you money.
  • You must have proof that you have a scholarship.
• If you are going to study in Quebec, then you will also need to submit a Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) which is issued by the Quebec government. You will get the instructions from your school on how to apply for a CAQ.
• You must submit a letter of explanation saying why you want to study in Canada and guaranteeing that you accept and understand your responsibilities as a student in Canada.
• If a minor is going to Canada to study and need a custodian that is not a parent of the minor, then you also need to submit a Custodian Declaration Form which states who the custodian of the child is and must be signed by the parents or legal guardians of the child.
• If you are applying for the first time, then a document number on the study permit that is called a Unique Client Identifier (UCI) is not required for you. If you have applied for a study permit before, you are required to write your study permit document number which you can find in any letters that have been sent to you by the Canadian Government.
• If your family members (spouse or common law partner and minor children) are also accompanying you, you must also have the application forms ready for them and apply together as a family.

All the documents must be translated into English or French and you must have certifications and proof that the translation is correct. Once you submit all the documents, you can then proceed to submit the application and pay the fees.

What are the Minimum Financial Requirements for a Canada Study Visa?

To be able to get a student visa or study permit, you must have enough funds to cover your tuition fee and living costs in Canada. If you have family members accompanying you, then you will also need additional funds. There are two types of fund requirements for students:

• Students studying outside of Quebec
• Students studying in Quebec

Students studying outside of Quebec must have these funds to prove they can cover their studies in Canada:

Students studying in Quebec must have these funds to prove they can cover their studies in Canada:

How Can I Apply for a Candian Study Permit?

To be able to start studying in Canada, you must apply and get approved for a study permit. However, there are three situations that you can be in, so you can apply from:

• Outside of Canada;
• Inside of Canada;
• At the Canadian Port of Entry (POE) ;

Additionally, for each option you can also apply in paper format or through the online system. The application process will be the same, but if you apply in paper format, you will have to print all the documents and send them to the Canadian Consulate, while when you apply online, you can only submit the scanned documents and completed forms by attaching them through your account.

How to Apply for a Study Permit From Outside of Canada?

If you are an international student who has been accepted to a Canadian DLI, but is outside of Canada, then the application process for you will include applying for an extended visitor visa and a study permit. If you are from a country that does not need a visa to enter Canada, then you will apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and a study permit.

The application is done through one process, so you do not need to have them separately. If you get approval for the visa, then you will also get a study permit.

The process of applying for a Canada Student visa and permit from outside of Canada is the same as the application process for every type of Canadian visa. 

How to Apply for a Study Permit Within Canada?

Applying for a study permit within Canada can only be done if you are in a few of the situations below:

• You are a minor child in primary or secondary school;
• You are an exchange or visiting student in Canada;
• You have completed a short-term (less than 6 months) study course or program in Canada;
• You have a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) for 6 months or more, or your family member has such a TRP;
• You are the spouse or common law partner or someone who is being sponsored to immigrate to Canada or has applied for permanent residence;
• You have a study permit from outside of Canada and you want to extend it;
• You are the family member of:
  • a Canadian based sports team;
  • a media representative;
  • a member of the clergy;
  • military personnel assigned to Canada;
• You are a family member or private staff member of a foreign representative in Canada.

To apply, you will have to go to the Embassy of your country in Canada or contact the Canadian Embassy to submit the documents there in person and pay the relevant fees.

How to Apply for a Canada Study Permit at the Port of Entry (POE)?

Another option of applying for a study permit is when you travel to Canada at the port of entry. However, you can only apply at the POE if you fulfill these conditions:

• You are a citizen of the United States of America (USA).
• You are a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the US.
• You are a resident of Greenland or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

To apply at the POE, you will first have to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and then present the documents mentioned above (section: Applying for a Study Permit Outside of Canada) at the Canadian Port of Entry. The officials will review these documents and will make a decision on whether to grant you the study permit or not.

What is the Cost of the Canada Student Visa?

The application process for the Canada Student Visa requires that you pay all the application fees per person as well as for your family members applying. You cannot submit an application without paying your fees if you are applying online and if you submit paper applications without the fee, they will not be processed.

You must pay the fees if you are serious about applying for a student visa and starting your studies in Canada. The fees are as follows:

How long is the Canadian Student Visa valid?

A Canadian student visa is valid only for the length of the study program and an additional 90 days. These 90 days allow you to prepare for leaving Canada or to apply for extending your Canada study visa.

So if you do not complete your program within the time that your study permit is valid, then you will need to extend it. If you complete the program earlier than the study permit expiration date, then you will only have an additional 90 days and must leave Canada.

You must provide proof that you have completed your program by submitting the notification of graduation from your school such as an email, a letter, or another document, or submit a copy of your degree, diploma, or certificate. The date when one of these was issued will be used as the date you completed your program and then your additional 90 days for preparation to leave Canada will begin.

Does the Canada Student Visa Allow you to Visit Your Home Country?

The Canadian school system has many breaks in between the school years during the summer and winter. Naturally, many foreign students want to travel to their home countries during these breaks.

The student visa for Canada allows international students to travel abroad during their holidays; however, when they return to Canada they must provide proof of their status. They must show a valid visa or eTA and their study permit. Even if the study permit is valid, the visa or eTA must be valid, otherwise the student is not allowed to enter Canada. So before you travel out of Canada, make sure that your documents are in order and that they are valid. If they are not, apply for extensions before you travel.

Can I Change Schools With a Canada Student Visa?

The student visa for Canada allows the holder to change schools while they are enrolled if they meet the requirements of the visa. You must notify the Canadian Government if you are changing schools in these situations:

• If you have finished primary school and want to start high school.
• If you finished high school and are starting post-secondary school.
• If you are a post-secondary student and you are changing schools. Post-secondary schools include:
  • Universities.
  • Community colleges, CEGEP, institutes.
  • Private universities, academies, career colleges, training institutions.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) / French as a Secondary Language (FSL) or other language training courses.
• If you need to change any of the conditions that are stated in your study permit.

In these situations, you will have to change your study permit, so get a new one. You will have to go through the application process and get the study permit for the new school.

You do not need to notify the Canadian Government when changing schools in these situations:

• If you are changing schools in the same educational levels such as from one primary school to another.
• If you are changing a study program but remaining in the same institution.
• Your study program is 6 months or less.

Can my Family Members Accompany me to Canada?

Your close family, so your spouse or common-law partner and minor children can accompany you to Canada when you go there to study. However, they will have to apply for their own visas (not study permits), which will be visitor visas. You can submit the applications together so you can tell the Canadian Consulate that you are a family and want to stay together for the duration of your studies.

Can I work while on a Student Visa?

There are several conditions which a student must meet to work while they are on their Canadian student visa. These conditions are to prevent illegal workers who want to just get a student status and not attend classes or get their degrees. However, students are allowed to work in these following instances:

• On-campus work if they are enrolled in a full-time program;
• Complete co-ops or internships if they are required from their program curriculum;
• Off-campus work if your study permit allows it and you work less than 20 hours per week;

Each of these options has additional requirements and conditions which depend on the individual student’s situation, so you must check with the Government of Canada and refer to our article on working while on a student visa in Canada for more details.

Can I Work After I Complete my Studies?

Some students want to keep working in Canada after they finish their educational degree. When you have a student visa, then it is easier to get a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), the length of which depends on the length of your study program:

• If your study program was less than 8 months, you are not eligible for a PGWP;
• If your study program was between 8 months and 2 years, you can get a PGWP for the same length as your study program;
• If your study program was two or more years, you can get a PGWP that is valid for 3 years;
• If you were enrolled and completed more than one study program, you can get a PGWP for up to 3 years.

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