CORPORATE SERVICES
WORK PERMIT
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Every year, more than 180,000 foreign workers enter Canada to work temporarily in jobs that help Canadian employers address skill shortages. A work permit is needed for most temporary jobs in Canada.
Important information:
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Your employer may need to get a labour market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). An LMIA confirms that there is no Canadian or permanent resident available, and the employer can fill the job with a foreign worker.
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Some jobs do not require an LMIA..
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You must meet the general requirements for entering the country, for studying in Canada and for getting a work permit. This means you may also need to temporary resident visa.
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A work permit is not an immigration document. It does not allow you to live in Canada permanently.
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Caregiver who meet certain requirements can apply to stay in Canada permanently.
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Your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children may apply to come to Canada with you.
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NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA)
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Under Chapter 16 of NAFTA, citizens of Canada, the United States and Mexico can gain quicker, easier temporary entry into the three countries to conduct business or investment activities.
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Business people covered by NAFTA do not need to labour market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). This means that Canadian employers do not need to have a job offer approved by HRSDC to hire an American or a Mexican business person, as set out in NAFTA.
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Business people covered by NAFTA must, however, comply with the general provisions on temporary entry to Canada.
NAFTA applies to four specific categories of business people:
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business visitors
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professionals
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intra-company transferees
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traders and investors
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INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER
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The intra-company category permits international companies to temporarily transfer qualified employees to Canada for the purpose of improving management effectiveness, expanding Canadian exports, and enhancing competitiveness in overseas markets.
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Qualified intra-company transferees require work permits and are exempted from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) as they provide significant economic benefit to Canada through the transfer of their expertise to Canadian businesses. This applies to foreign nationals from any country, including under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
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LABOUR MARKET IMPACT ASSESSMENT (LMIA)
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A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker.
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A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job. It will also show that no Canadian worker is available to do the job.
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If the employer needs an LMIA, they must apply for one. Once an employer gets the LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit.
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To apply for a work permit, a worker needs:
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a job offer letter,
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a contract,
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a copy of the LMIA, and
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the LMIA number
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