Canada Work Permits
The work permits may be specific to a single employer only or may be “open.” LMIA work permits are usually closed, meaning that a worker cannot work at any other location or for another employer. The foreign worker will need to leave Canada at the conclusion of their work permit.
Mayur Immigration Consultancy helps you craft your work permit application and your case from the ground up, ensuring that you won’t face any issues while moving forward.
Types of Work Permits
There are two types of work permits that a foreign worker can apply for in the LMIA-based work permit program: a high-wage work permit and a low-wage work permit. Then there are the open and closed work permits as well that dictate work conditions. Most LMIA work permits fall under the closed work permit category, where the employer is specific, though.
The type of work permit that the foreign worker can apply for depends on the province or territory where they will be working and the wage being offered.
High-Wage Work Permit
A high-wage work permit is required for a foreign worker who will be working in a high-wage occupation in a province or territory that has a positive LMIA. For example, a foreign worker working as a doctor would need a high-wage work permit.
The foreign worker must be paid the median wage prevailing for the occupation in the given province or territory they will be working in. The median wage is the wage that is in the middle of all wages being paid for the occupation in the province or territory.
Almost all high-wage jobs require LMIA-based work permits.
Low-Wage Work Permit
A low-wage work permit is required for a foreign worker who will be working in a low-wage occupation in a province or territory that has a positive LMIA. For example, a foreign worker who will be working as a server would need a low-wage work permit.
Some examples of occupations that are considered to be low-wage occupations are servers, housekeepers, landscapers, and agricultural workers. Usually, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program restricts the number of workers in this category, making it difficult to apply through this program. LMIA work permits may not be applicable for some occupations in this category.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit allows you to work in Canada without having a specific job offer. This means that you can change jobs at any time without having to apply for a new work permit. To be eligible for an open work permit, you must meet certain criteria as set forth by the IRCC. Currently, you can apply if you:
- Are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
- Are a student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of your studies (destitute student)
- Have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada
- Applied for permanent residence in Canada
- Are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence
- Are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student
- Are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- Are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member
- Are under an unenforceable removal order
- Are a temporary resident permit holder
- Are a young worker participating in special programs
If you are eligible for an open work permit, you may apply for one at a Canadian visa office abroad or, in some cases, online. Once you have an open work permit, you can work for any employer in Canada, with some exceptions.
It is also important to note that an open work permit is not a permanent residence status. If you want to live in Canada permanently, you will need to apply for permanent residence through one of the many programs offered by the Canadian government.
The validity of an open work permit depends on your situation. For example, if you are a student, your open work permit will usually be valid for the duration of your study permit. If you are a recent graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution, your open work permit will typically be valid for up to three years.
Mayur Immigration Consultancy Ltd. can help you evaluate your Canadian immigration needs and specifications and help you craft a plan accordingly. Regardless of the type of work permit you are applying for, we help you from the start all the way to finish – and even beyond (renewal and changes). Give us a call today for an ASSESSMENT for all your work permit needs!
