Before you pack your bags and book your ticket to Canada, there is some paperwork you need to take care of regarding your visa. Depending on your reason for moving to Canada, you may need to apply for one of Canada’s visa types. This could be a work permit visa for skilled workers or even self-employment visa. This section will also cover residence permits (both temporary and permanent).
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More than likely, if you intend for your ex-pat adventure in Canada to be for a considerable amount of time, you will probably need to apply for a Canadian visa. Although dealing with all of the paperwork regarding the Canadian visa application and the process can be quite nerve-wracking and overwhelming, this section ensures that you and your family have all the information you need on Canadian visa requirements, Canadian visa costs, the medical exam for Canadian immigration, and Canada’s immigration point system.
The section also covers residence permits (permanent) and temporary resident visa (TRV), along with how to apply for them.
Work Permits and Employment-Based Visas
For most work in Canada, foreigners will need a work permit and employment visa. There are only a few jobs for which you do not need a work permit.
There are two types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits. Openwork permits allow you to work for any employer in Canada while employer-specific permits enable you to work for only one specific employer.
All of Canada’s work permit/visa application forms can be found and filled out online. The Canadian work visa cost is 155 CAD (117 USD) for a work permit.
Canadian Work Visa Requirements
Work permits are issued for a variety of workers including temporary workers, business people, and permanent workers. There are a few different ways to apply for a work permit, and the eligibility requirements vary for each: outside of Canada, within Canada, or at the point of entry.
Visa Requirements for Temporary Workers
In general though, for temporary workers, here are the eligibility requirements for all temporary workers when applying for a Canadian work permit:
Proof that you plan to leave Canada upon the expiration of your work permit.
Proof of sufficient funds to return home and take care of yourself and any family members coming with you.
Police clearance certificate.
Not be a danger to Canada’s security.
Be in good health (a medical exam may be required).
Plan to work for an eligible employer (i.e., no strip clubs, escort services, or erotic massage places).
Appropriate documents to enter Canada.
Visa Requirements for Business People
When it comes to business visas, Canada makes a distinction between business people and business visitors. Business people can work in Canada under the free trade agreement, meaning they fall under one of the following three agreements: USMCA (formerly NAFTA), Other Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), or General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
USMCA applies to US and Mexican citizens. There are four categories:
Business visitors: Workers who come take part in international business without being a part of the Canadian labor market. Business visitors usually stay for a few days or weeks, but they can stay up to six months without a work permit.
Professionals: Must have a job offer in Canada to partake in one of the specific jobs set out by USMCA (e.g., engineer, accountant, computer systems analyst). These workers need a work permit.
Intra-company transferees: Managers and executives sent to work for the same company in Canada. These types of workers must have been working on an on-going basis for at least one year in the last three years for the same employer and have a work permit.
Traders and investors: Must be a supervisor or executive involved in planning a large amount of trade in goods or services between Canada and their home country; or have a substantial investment in Canada by them or their company. These workers must have a work permit.
FTAs are agreements between Canada and other countries such as Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia, and Korea. It is modeled after USMCA, covering the same types of workers: business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders, and investors.
For more than 140 World Trade Organizations, Canada came up with GATSto make it easier for foreign workers to access the Canadian services market. The groups covered are business visitors, professionals, and intra-company transferees.
Visa Requirements for Permanent Workers
Permanent workers have to be skilled workers and will go through the online Express Entry system. There are three types of skilled worker immigration programs with specific requirements for each:
- Federal Skilled Worker
- Federal Skilled Trades
- Canadian Experience Class
Keep in mind that if you plan on living in Québec, they have their own Québec-selected skilled workers process.
- Potential documents you will need for the Express Entry application include:
- Passport or travel document
- Language test results
- Education credential assessment report
- Provincial nomination (if you have one)
- Written job offer from a Canadian employer (if you have one)
- Police certificate
- Medical exam
- Proof of funds