Canadian Work Visas
Canada is a popular immigration destination, offering a high quality of life and many job opportunities.
The immigration process can be confusing, as various work permits are available and many factors affect eligibility. Call Total Law on +1 844 312 4979, or contact us online and we will guide you through them.
Canada Work Visas
A Canada work visa allows foreign nationals to work in the country temporarily. Some routes lead to possible permanent residency, but others are geared toward gaining work experience and professional development.
The various Canada work visa requirements will help to narrow down the choices available to different candidates. This can help if you are undecided about which work permit to apply for. Depending on your situation, age, and whether you are looking for permanent residency, there are several options to choose from.
Once you have chosen the route or program you wish to pursue, you must meet all the requirements, submit your supporting documents and pay the application fee. Processing times vary depending on the work visa category, so you may have to wait weeks or months for a decision. Once approved, you can start planning your move to Canada.
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Open Work Permits
An open work permit allows the holder to work for any employer and take advantage of various job opportunities in Canada. This type of work permit does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a job offer.
However, obtaining an open work permit means meeting the strict eligibility criteria, including:
- International students who are eligible for the Post Graduation Work Permit Program
- Spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of an international student or skilled worker
- You have applied for permanent residency in Canada or are a dependent family member of someone who has applied for permanent residency
- Students who can no longer meet the costs of studying
- Spouse or common-law partner of an Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program applicant
- Refugee, protected person or their family member
- You are a temporary resident permit holder
- You are under an unenforceable removal order
- Young people taking part in special programs
The vast majority of work permits granted in 2023 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) were open work permits, comprising 80% of the total permits issued.
Of these, 84% were part of the International Mobility Program (IMP), while the remainder were part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Employer Specific Work Permits
An employer-specific work permit means the holder can only work for that employer in Canada. Most employers offering this type of work permit have to apply for an LMIA to ensure that no Canadian or permanent resident of Canada can fill the position before hiring a foreign worker.
A positive LMIA is needed for a position to be approved for an employer-specific work permit. In 2023, just 20% of the work permits issued were employer-specific.
From September 2024, the LMIA application process for low-pay positions will become stricter, particularly for major cities with unemployment over 6%. These changes will also affect jobs in the construction and healthcare sectors and reduce the duration of low-wage positions from two years to one year.
International Experience Canada Visa (IEC)
The International Experience Canada Visa (IEC) is a Canadian government program that offers places to young workers from Australia and many other countries looking for temporary employment in Canada.
This working holiday visa is for applicants between the ages of 18 and 35. It is valid for two years for Australians and has three categories. In 2024, Canada allocated an unlimited number of places to Australians for the IEC program.
Working Holiday
With this open work permit, holders can work in any job for up to two years. It is for applicants who don’t have a job offer and would like to work for different employers in various locations around Canada.
The Working Holiday permit offers Australians the flexibility to move around and experience different territories while taking advantage of any available job opportunities.
If you don’t want to move around, you can settle in one part of the country and stay in one job. The Working Holiday Visa Canada requirements mean that it is only available to Australians between the ages of 18 and 35 with valid passports.
Young Professionals
A Young Professionals work permit is for those with a job offer in Canada that counts towards their professional development. Unlike the Working Holiday permit, holders of this permit can only work for the employer sponsoring them to come to Canada and typically can only work in the same location. The work must be paid and not a self-employed position.
International Co-op (Internship)
The International Co-op work permit is for those who are either a student at a post-secondary institution or a worker with a job offer for an internship or work placement in Canada. It is also available to anyone who needs to do an internship or work placement to complete their studies. Holders will also have to work for the same employer and remain in the same location.
How to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa from Australia
The IEC programs offer unlimited spaces to applicants from Australia, so anyone from 18 to 35 years of age can apply.
To do so:
- Decide which of the three categories of the IEC programs apply to you
- Complete the Come to Canada questionnaire on the Canadian government website
- You will receive a personal reference number
- Create your IRCC account
- Build and submit your IEC visa profile
- Choose the pool that you want to be included in
- Prepare all your supporting documents
- If selected, you will receive your Invitation To Apply (ITA)
- Submit a complete work permit application
- If you are applying for the Young Professionals or International Co-op permit, your employer pays the employer compliance fee
- Employer submits your job offer through the Employer Portal
- Employers will receive a seven-digit employer number for your work permit application
- Undergo a medical exam if working in health services, child care, education or care of the elderly
- Upload all your supporting documents or letter of explanation for missing documents
Pay the fees online - If needed, you will receive a biometric instruction letter to give your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre
- Arrange health insurance
- Check passport validity
- Ensure you have the Australian equivalent of C$2,500 in your bank account
- You will receive a Port of Entry letter from IRCC
Applying for one of the IEC programs can be complicated, and there are many deadlines to observe. To make the application process less stressful, contact Total Law on +1 844 312 4979 and let one of our experts support you.
Who Can Apply for a Canadian Work Visa?
Anyone can apply for a Canada work visa, but some requirements must be met to be considered eligible.
Regardless of where the application is made, applicants must:
- Prove you will leave Canada when your work permit expires
- Demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family, if applicable, for the duration of your stay
- Have no criminal record, obey the law and not be a threat to Canadian security
- Provide evidence of good health
- Not work for any ‘ineligible’ employers or those offering certain personal services
- Submit any documents requested by a Canadian immigration officer
The requirements for different work visas will vary, so you must ensure you can meet them all before applying.
How Do You Know Which Type of Work Visa You Need?
If you are looking for the best Canadian working visa for Australian citizens, you must assess your eligibility for the different permits available.
For those looking for an extended holiday work permit, the Working Holiday Visa Canada from Australia is the ideal route. It provides Australians with a two-year visa to work in any part of Canada for any employer. However, you need to be between the ages of 18 and 35 to apply.
Other work visas, such as the Open Work permit, give international students and other eligible candidates flexibility in making the move from Australia to Canada.
Employer-specific or closed work permits determine who you can work for, how long and where in Canada you can work. For this, you will need a job offer, a contract and an LMIA unless the job is exempt.
Canadian Visitor Visa holders can apply for a work permit without leaving the country until February 28th, 2025. They must have a valid job offer and apply for an employer-specific work permit before this policy expires.
How Can Total Law Help?
With so many options available for those hoping to obtain a work visa for Canada, the immigration processes that must be completed and the amount of paperwork to be submitted, it can be a daunting prospect. Reaching out to Total Law to help with these essential processes can ensure you are properly prepared, have all the necessary knowledge and understand the requirements.
There are also several important deadlines that you cannot afford to miss so keeping on top of your application is vital. As we have helped many Australians through this process, we have the experience and expertise to make sure you don’t miss a thing and everything is submitted on time.
With our immigration experts’ assistance, your application’s chance of success is increased. Call us today on +1 844 312 4979 or fill out the online contact form, and let us help you take that first step on this journey to a new life in Canada.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Canada has a good relationship with Australia, as the countries share many values and this has led to the allocation of unlimited places on the IEC programs for Australian applicants.
While the process may be easier for Australians, they must still meet the requirements to legally enter Canada. Total Law can guide you through all the paperwork and help you to navigate the complex administrative procedures for a successful application.
Australia and Canada share immigration data through the Migration Five, also known as the Five Eyes network, which includes the US, New Zealand and the UK.
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