The key to obtaining a work permit in Canada

The first question newcomers to Canada should ask themselves is "Do I need a Canadian work permit to work here?" Read on for the answers on how to obtain one.

Take Luisa, for instance — she has recently moved to Canada to join her new husband. He works full-time with the local emergency medical services. She has applied for permanent residence status, and recently received a job offer from a local retirement community for a full-time nurse position. Going to work should be no problem, right?

Yes, as long as Luisa has a work permit. The fact that Luisa is allowed to live in Canada does not guarantee she will be able to work in her profession. There are a lot of factors to consider when applying for a Canadian work permit, starting with your immigration status.

If you’re not a citizen of Canada or don’t have permanent residence status, you must have a work permit in order to legally work in this country. There are many professional exceptions to this rule — foreign workers in certain categories may be allowed to work temporarily without a work permit in Canada. They include performers, clergy, emergency service workers (among others), but under typical circumstances you will need to have a work permit. You may need to also apply for a Temporary Resident Visa.

An employer must provide a job offer letter or contract that outlines job title, wages and working conditions. You may require a job offer from an employer as well as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA permits the employer to hire a foreign worker. This isdesigned to ensure that employers look to Canadians first for employment opportunities. If you need to have your credentials assessed, that will add time to your application process.

You can either apply online or use a paper application. Paper applications could take over a month and a half while online applications are processed in a couple of weeks. Be sure to include all correct documentation noted on the document checklist, otherwise your application may be returned.

There is a processing fee of $150.

By following these steps, you can apply for a work permit and get settled into your new life in Canada.