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Work Permit Options
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Work Permit Options
What is an LMIA?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that Canadian employers often need to obtain before hiring foreign workers. It demonstrates that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill a job and that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to do so.
An LMIA is required for a foreign worker to apply for an LMIA-supported work permit, ensuring that the hiring does not negatively impact the Canadian job market.
LMIA-Supported Work Permit
An LMIA-supported work permit is a special type of employer-specific work permit in Canada. This means that the foreign worker can only work for the employer who got the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for them.
With this work permit, the worker is tied to one employer and cannot switch jobs or work for another company unless they obtain a new LMIA and work permit.
LMIA-exempt Work Permits
LMIA-exempt work permits allow individuals to work in Canada without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP), these permits cover categories like intra-company transferees, significant benefit workers, and those under international agreements like CUSMA, as well as through programs like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Common examples include PNP nominees (work permit extensions), spousal open work permits, and post-graduation work permits (PGWP).
Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP)
A spousal open work permit allows the spouse or common-law partner of temporary foreign workers and certain international students in Canada to work for any employer without needing a job offer or LMIA.
This permit offers flexibility, enabling them to pursue job opportunities in any field while living in Canada with their partner, which helps them integrate into the community and contribute to the household.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students who have completed a program at a Canadian post-secondary institution to work in Canada for a period equal to the length of their study, up to a maximum of three years.
An exception to this rule is that students who complete a two-year program are eligible for a three-year PGWP.
This open work permit provides graduates with the flexibility to gain valuable Canadian work experience in any field, which can be crucial for their pathway to permanent residency.
Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday Visa under International Experience Canada (IEC) allows young adults, typically aged 18 to 30 or 35 depending on their country of origin, to work and travel in Canada for up to two years.
This open work permit offers the flexibility to take on short-term jobs while exploring the country, making it an ideal option for those seeking both work experience and adventure.
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