Information on Immigration and Visas

Working Temporarily in Canada

Every year, over 90,000 foreign workers enter Canada to work temporarily to help Canadian employers address skill shortages. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) ensure that these workers will support economic growth in Canada and create more opportunities for all Canadian job seekers.
In almost all cases, you must have a valid work permit to work in Canada.
These steps must be followed before you apply for a work permit:

1. An employer must first offer you a job.
   
2. HRSDC must normally provide a labour market opinion
   or "confirmation" of your job offer. However, some types of work are exempt from this process.
   
3. After HRSDC confirms that a foreign national may fill the job, you apply to CIC for your work permit.
   To get a work permit, you must fill out an Application for Work permit. A work permit is issued if the application is approved.
   You cannot immigrate with a work permit. If you want to come and live in Canada as a permanent resident based on your work skills or experience, see if you qualify for the Skilled Worker Program ( see below for details).

Immigrating to Canada as a Skilled Worker

Will You Qualify as a Skilled Worker?

Skilled workers are people who can become permanent residents because they are able to become economically established in Canada.
To be accepted as a skilled worker, applicants must:

• meet the minimum work experience requirements;
• prove that they have the funds required for settlement; and
• earn enough points in the six selection factors to meet the pass mark.

  Foreign workers may do some jobs in Canada without a permit. See the link below to see if you can work without a permit.

  Jobs Exempt from Work Permit Requirement