A work permit is needed for most temporary jobs in Canada, though for some positions and business people it is not necessary.

You almost always have to apply for a work permit from outside Canada. Sometimes, you can apply from inside or as you enter Canada.

To apply for a work permit, you must have:

  • a job offer from a Canadian employer
  • written confirmation from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job. This confirmation is called a positive labour market opinion.

You must also do the following:

  • Satisfy a visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your work permit.
  • Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada.
  • Respect the law and have no criminal record. (You may have to provide a police clearance certificate.
  • Show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada.
  • Be in good health. (You may have to have a medical examination.)

In some cases, you do not need a labour market opinion. Please see below the list of people that require a work permit but no labour market opinion:

 

Workers covered under international agreements

  • Professionals, traders, investors and business people coming to Canada to work under certain international agreements

 

Entrepreneurs and intra-company transferees

  • Some types of entrepreneurs, workers transferring within a company, and other types of workers who will provide significant benefit to Canadians or permanent residents by working in Canada

 

Participants in exchange programs

  • People whose employment in Canada will provide similar employment to Canadians abroad, such as participants in youth exchange programs, teacher exchange programs or other reciprocal programs

 

Co-op students

  • Foreign students who are studying in Canada and who need to do co-op work placements as part of their program of study

 

Spouses

  • Spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign workers and of certain foreign students who are currently studying or working under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program . This exemption applies to spouses who are not themselves enrolled in full-time studies.

 

Academics and students

  • Certain academics and students

 

Religious workers

  • People doing charitable or religious work

 

Others

  • Certain people who need to support themselves while they are in Canada for other reasons such as the refugee determination process

Some temporary jobs in Canada may not require a work permit. You may not need a work permit if you fall into one of the following categories:

Business visitors, Foreign representatives ,Family members of foreign representatives , Military personnel , Foreign government officers, Students working on campus, Performing artists , Athletes and coaches, News reporters, Public speakers, Convention organizers, Clergy, Judges and referees, Examiners and evaluators, Expert witnesses or investigators, Health-care students, Civil aviation inspectors , Accident or incident investigators, Crew members, Emergency service providers