Each year, over 100,000 temporary workers come to Canada to fill job shortages in certain sectors/industries. Canada is currently actively looking for workers and professionals internationally to help grow its economy.
In this “Work in Canada” section, you will find up-to-date information on all the different paths available for you to be able to come to Canada as a foreign worker.
Most of the time, a foreign worker will need a Work Permit to be authorized to work in Canada. However, there are a set of circumstances where a foreign worker would not need a Work Permit (stage performers, athletes, journalists, business visitors, etc.).
Additionally, there are other ways to work in Canada without going through the traditional Work Permit application process, such as the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), or permits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), such as NAFTA.
If you have any of the questions below, please refer to our articles for more detailed information:
If you are looking for a job, you can apply to online job postings, on Job Bank for example. You need to understand that finding a job when you do not have the legal documents allowing you to work in Canada is difficult, but not impossible. You have to check the in-demand jobs in each province and see if you have the necessary qualifications to apply for them.
Another option is to look for Designated Employers of the Atlantic Provinces. Those register with the government as looking for foreign talent to fill their human resources needs
If you have a Canadian job offer, you will have to apply for a Work Permit. If you and your job offer are eligible to Express Entry and/or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), you could come to Canada with your Permanent Residence in hand.
If you are under 30 or 35 (depending on the country) AND from select countries that signed agreements with the government of Canada, you could be eligible to an Open Work Permit under the Working Holiday category of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
If this is the case, and you are from one the countries that signed an agreement with Canada, you could be eligible to an Employer-Specific Work Permit under the Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship categories of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
In order to stay in Canada legally, under what is called “implied status”, you have to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit.
If you are from the 12 countries that signed an agreement with the government of Canada, you can apply for the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program.
Under the Free Trade Agreements signed between Canada and these countries, you could be granted a Work Permit without the need to have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA takes time and money and is not necessarily granted.
