How to Apply as a Foreign Worker in Canada

Canada is a great country to live and work in. If you were born here or are a Canadian resident, it is as simple as applying for a job and getting hired. Working in Canada isn’t that easy for citizens of another country.

While it is a process, you can apply as a foreign worker in Canada. The Temporary Foreign Worker program was created for Canadian employers to bring in workers that are not citizens to fill in temporary labour shortages.

• It is based on the needs of the labour market for specific occupations across all regions.
• It ensures that Canadian citizens and permanent residents get the opportunity to apply for the job positions first.
• It was originally only for live-in caregivers and agricultural workers but now covers many skilled and unskilled jobs.

Here are the steps you must take to apply as a foreign worker in Canada.

Qualifying as a Foreign Worker in Canada

To qualify for the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, the applicant must have an offer of employment from a Canadian employer. Companies need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to obtain permission from the government to hire foreign workers. This is done through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The ESDC will then determine if the employer can hire foreign workers to fill the positions.

Applicants must be legally permitted into Canada. This means there is no medical, financial or criminal reason for inadmissibility. Since it can be a tricky application process, make sure you work closely with your employment lawyer to maximize the success.

Applying for a Foreign Worker in Canada

To get hired under this program, people must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a work permit. You can also apply at a Canadian visa office. This must happen before coming to Canada.

Outside of Canada

With the application, you must give biometrics. This is a photo and fingerprint. They will be reviewed together to make sure you qualify for the work permit and that the company that wants to hire you has complied with all the required conditions. You may also be asked to go in for an interview in your country and send any additional paperwork asked for. You may also be required to have a medical exam which can delay the process for several months.

If approved, you will get a Port Of Entry letter Of Introduction, which you show when you get to the border. They will give you your work permit on the day you arrive. You must be fully vaccinated to come into Canada.

If you are already in Canada

Your application will be processed in Canada with all the included documentation and biometrics. The same procedure will take place about your employer’s eligibility and your qualifications. A medical exam may be requested before the officer grants the work permit.

Visitors to Canada can also apply for a foreign worker job but must have a valid visitor status or reapply if it has expired. They also must have had a valid work permit for 12 months before applying for the new permit. Eligible people will then fill out the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker form. When approved, your work permit will be mailed to the address you gave on file.

All work permits will state the type of work you can do, where you can work, how long your stay is, and the employer’s name.

Arriving in Canada

When you are ready to travel into Canada for your job, make sure you are fully vaccinated and have all your travel documents and proof of work application with you. Also, bring any supporting documents, including proof of experience and education, as well as your offer of employment and a copy of your employer’s LMIA. This will make getting through customs easier.

Your identity will be checked using fingerprints and documentation, and you must tell the border services officer that you are here for work. The officer determines to their satisfaction that you meet the entry requirements and that you will leave at the end of your stay. They might check your medical exam results and request another one if they expired. Then they will give final approval for you to enter Canada and print out your work permit. Make sure your passport is valid to pass the date of your departure, or you will have to leave when it expires.

After going through the process and obtaining all the required documents, you have arrived safely to start your employment on Canadian soil. Remember that a work permit does not mean you can immigrate to Canada. This is strictly permission to travel into Canada to work for a specific company for a specific period.

Foreign citizens are here to fill skill and workforce shortages in Canada, and it is a great program to hire qualified people internationally.