If you’re considering relocating to Canada for work, you’ve chosen well! It’s a great place to work in Canada. It has strong worker rights, a good work-life balance, and a lot of annual leave and benefits that you as an employee can receive.
Many employers offer housing and health insurance subsidies. In Canada, a full-time job is regarded as a 30-hour workweek. You need to apply for a work permit first before you can take advantage of these benefits.
Whether you are applying from within Canada or outside, the procedure is different. Where you apply will also affect the average processing times. For instance, if you are submitting a work visa application from the United States, it will take 10 weeks to receive a response; from Ghana, it will take 27 weeks; and from Peru, it will take 14 weeks.
Whatever your country of origin, there are ways for you to streamline your application for a work visa in Canada and receive a decision as quickly as possible.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
To determine whether you are eligible to work in Canada, take the first crucial step. Generally speaking, in order to qualify for a work permit, you must find a full-time position with a Canadian employer. You can demonstrate this by producing a duly executed employment offer. You need to be able to fulfil the following conditions:
- You promise to prove to a Canadian border official at the port of entry that you’ll leave the country once your job is done by displaying ties to your home country, such as family or property.
- You can demonstrate your compliance with the law and lack of criminal history with a clean police certificate.
you don’t endanger Canada’s security, please. - That you have a clean medical history and are in good health.
- Not intend to work for a company on the List of Ineligible Employers.
Step 2: Get a Job as Soon as You Can in Canada
In Canada, there are more than 1 million open positions. And if you have the right credentials, you can work as an electrician, truck driver, or fruit picker in addition to being a lawyer, doctor, and accountant.
Making sure your CV adheres to Canadian standards is a crucial step in the job search process in Canada. Create a comprehensive CV that details all of your experience, then look for suitable positions on Indeed and Jobbank. You will have a better chance of finding employment quickly.
Applying for a position that is in high demand in Canada will help your application move along more quickly because employers will want you to start working as soon as possible.
Step 3: Early Document Gathering
A Labour Market Impact Assessment is one of the most crucial records you’ll need to obtain in order to submit an application for a work visa (LMIA). You must submit a positive LMIA in order to obtain a work permit, unless you are applying for a position that is exempt from the LMIA due to your qualifications or place of origin. The following documents are required:
- Passport-based identification
- Education history
- Proof of previous work experience
- Evidence of funds
- Information about dependents and accompanying family members
- Positive LMIA certificate
- Valid job offer letter
- Forms completed
Step 4: Complete the forms
This is where the process becomes complicated, and having someone like a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to guide and assist you can make a huge difference. In order for your application to be considered complete, you must fill out several forms. These are the forms:
- Work Permit Application Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295)
- Document Checklist (IMM 5488)
- Authorization to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)
- Information About Your Family (IMM 5645)
- Schedule 1- Temporary Resident Visa Application
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)
- Use of Representative (IMM 546)
Step 5: Pay Your Fees On Time
The processing fee for a work permit in Canada is $155. However, you must also pay the biometric fee and, if applicable, the open work permit holder fee of $100. The sooner you send payment, the better. Your application will not be processed unless the application fee is paid.
Step 6: File the Application
The last step in finishing your application is to submit it. After such a long journey, it must be a relief to finally submit your application for a work permit in Canada.
Why Should You Use An RCIC?
Hiring the services of an RCIC is the best and most certain way to streamline your application for a Canada work visa. They are Canadian immigration experts who have been trained to guide you through the process. You’ll be sure to check all the boxes and submit a complete application if you follow their advice.