Canadian Immigration: Temporary vs. Permanent Work Permits

As one of the world’s most developed countries, Canada has an excellent environment for employees. As such, it’s one of the most suitable and desirable destinations for job seekers. Consequently, immigrants from all over the world constantly apply for a Canada work permit. Moreover, they are able to take advantage of the privileges and benefits of working in the country. 

There are many ways to apply for a work permit in Canada; you may receive it in several forms, including studies, career opportunities, and international agreements.

Types of Work Permits in Canada

There are many types of work permits in Canada to which you can apply. The following are some of the legal options that you may consider:

Work Permit Through Studies

Suppose you plan to seek a post-secondary degree in Canada. During your academic sessions, you will be able to work up to 20 hours a week, and if you have scheduled breaks, you may be able to work full-time. However, before coming to the country, you must ensure that you are enrolling in a program that allows you to work. At the same time, you can study, which can lead to other job opportunities after graduation.

CO-OP Program

Among the types of work permits in Canada, one you can get while studying is from a Co-Op Program. A co-op program is a work-related part of your educational program, which means you can have in-class lessons as well as an internship. You will be working and delivering those hours to the institution, and you can only graduate after you have completed them. For instance, if your institution offers you a one-year co-op program, you can spend six months studying and six months working. You will be able to work 20 hours a week during your classes for the first six months, and then full-time during the final six months to finish your program.

Post Graduation Work Permit

You may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit, or PGWP, depending on the educational program. The PGWP is offered to you when you graduate, and you must ensure that the degree you completed qualifies for the PGWP.

International Experience Class

The International Experience Class is another option for working in Canada. There are three categories available under the program: working holiday visas, young professionals, and co-op. Under the agreement between Canada and their countries, several countries worldwide, including Europe and Asia, will be eligible for a Canada work permit. You must, however, ensure that your country and Canada have an agreement. You must also ensure that you meet the other conditions, such as age, existing work offer (if required), approval funds, and applying for the required visa.

Work Permit Through a Free Trade Agreement

If you come from a country with which Canada has a specific free trade agreement, you can also apply for a work permit in Canada. The United States, Colombia, Peru, South Korea, and Panama are among these nations. Under the free trade agreement, you must ensure that you can fulfill all of the conditions for the program to which you are applying, and receive the necessary assistance from your employer.

Work Permit Through Intra Company Transferee Program

If you work for a larger organization and your company has a partner in Canada, you are most definitely working for a global corporation. Under the Intra Company Transferee Program, you can be transferred to Canada and obtain a work permit. That way, you’ll be able to acquire an employer-specific work permit and come to Canada to put your skills to use.

Work Permit Through French Mobility Program

Among the types of work permits in Canada, this one requires something simple. If you speak French and have a job opportunity outside of Quebec and meet any of the other conditions, you might be eligible for a work permit through the French Mobility Program.

Work Permit Through the Labor Market Impact Assessment

If you have a job offer, likely, you may not be qualified for the young adult or French mobility program. On the other hand, you may try out the LMIA applications. The LMIA or Labor Market Impact Assessment companies apply for authorization to apply for a work permit. The organization must file an application with the federal government claiming that they attempted to hire a Canadian or permanent resident but could not do so. In that way, they can offer you a job and bring you to Canada. The LMIA is an ideal choice for enterprises looking to hire and fill a labor shortage in a particular sector. Companies are frequently approved to apply with LMIA for several workers at the same time.

Work Permit Through the Global Talent Stream

You and your company may be qualified for the global talent stream if you have a job offer in the tax sector. A global talent stream is an excellent option for Canada’s tech industry, where they are unable to fill vacancies with Canadians or permanent residents.

What’s the Difference Between the Permanent and the Temporary Work Permits in Canada?

Opposite to the permanent one, temporary work permits Canada issues, allow the holder to work for any employer in Canada for a limited period and service. Although it requires a small amount of effort and requirements, it has many downsides that would lead you to leave your work in Canada in the future. However, holders of temporary work permits Canada issued can apply for permanent residency. Depending on the province you are working at, you have several options to apply for a permanent residence, such as Express Entry System, Provincial Nominee Program, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and New Agri-Food Immigration Pilot.

Canada Work Permit Processing Time

If you’ve ever applied for a work permit in Canada, you’re aware that it can take much from a month to more than a year for your paperwork to be approved. On the other hand, a long processing time can be your friend if it means the immigration will not reject your work permit application.

So, Which Permit Should I Choose?

You can select which type of permit depending on what you need to do in Canada. If you are an international student trying to work in Canada, it is ideal for you to choose the study permits, allowing you to work in a limited amount of time per week and depending on your program. On the other hand, Canada work permits are available for you to choose from and may vary depending on what programs are suitable for you. To have a smoother Canada work permit process, having an immigration consultant that is an expert in the field would greatly benefit you and help you choose what permit you should apply for without worrying.

Errors in Applying for Canadian Visas

Deciding to immigrate to Canada for better job opportunities is a life-changing decision, an exciting experience full of possibilities. However, chasing this chance of a lifetime can be overturned by a simple mistake. To avoid lengthening a Canada work permit processing time, below are some errors that applicants for permanent residence, visitor visas, and even temporary work permit Canada issues, must be aware of:

Inconsistencies in Personal Documents 

Applications for permanent resident status and other temporary residence applications require individuals to enumerate their travel information, personal background, and educational history in depth. There shouldn’t be any gaps in this history. Anomalous periods, as brief as a week, should be taken into account.

You can avoid this by taking note of everything, including short vacations in your travel history. For personal history, periods of unemployment should still be taken into account. You should thoroughly check this portion of your application to ensure that the timelines are correctly aligned. These periods should also coincide with the supporting documents, such as the reference letters.

Forwarding Ineligible Dependents

In the case of Canadian permanent residence applications, principal applicants can only identify spouses, eligible biological or lawfully adopted children, and common-law partners as dependents. However, some candidates misinterpret these restrictions and chart other relatives as dependents, such as siblings or parents. 

These members may not be included in the application, which could slow down the application’s processing period. You can avoid making this mistake by ensuring that only your eligible dependents are identified as dependents.

Employment Letters Not Complying with Requirements

Many programs require that job experience be proven through a letter of employment. Such letters describe the type of work that an employee has practiced daily by current or previous employers.

Reference letters must include the position held, number of hours rendered, salary and working conditions, job description, employer’s valid signature; the letter must be printed on the company letterhead. Furthermore, it must include the company information, such as address and contact information.

If the requirements as set out above do not comply, the employment letter may not be accepted as proof of the applicant’s work experience. To avoid this, check your employment letters after you receive them. It may help to provide the employer with a basic template highlighting these requirements.

Consulting an Unauthorized Representative

To minimize errors like those mentioned above, many people may consider hiring a representative to help guide them in their application. Representatives are sometimes paid or unpaid; however, they would have to be an attorney or immigration specialist approved to assist Canadian immigration applicants if they are paid.

Sadly, for people applying, numerous fraudsters claim to be immigration representatives when they cannot represent individuals. These false representatives are not accountable to the government or even the credentialed order, and most will ask for massive amounts of money for a ‘secured’ visa.

Read the Great North Visa Review of Immigration Scams – 5 Tips

If you are looking for a representative, do not hesitate to ask for their professional qualifications. An immigration attorney should be registered with the judicial society in their region of residence. On the other hand, an immigration specialist must be certified by the ICCRC (Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulation Council).

Let the Great North Visa Help You!

Moving into Canada is indeed a life-changing decision, and the process can be tedious. If you are looking for experts to guide you through this process, you can count on Great North Visa to provide you with the assistance you require. Contact us now and start your journey with the right people!