Temporary Visitors: Work & Study Permits

Temporary Foreign Workers

If you wish to enter the country temporarily in order pursue employment for a Canadian employer, you will most likely have to apply for a Work Permit. Please note that you can only apply for a Work Permit once a job offer has already been issued to you in writing by a Canadian employer.

A Work Permit is usually issued for a specific employer (open work permits are sometimes issued under specific and narrow set of circumstances) and for a specific (usually 1 or 2 year) time period. Should your employer wish to retain your services beyond the validity of your Work Permit, an extension application will have to be filed prior to the expiry of your current permit.

Because most work permits are issued for a specific employer, should the employment be terminated, a new permit will be required.

LMO Confirmation by Service Canada

Most work permits will require a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) confirmation prior to applying. This approval issued by Service Canada confirms that there are no other Canadians equally (or better) qualified to fill the position. The LMO application must consist of details of the position being offered, proof of the employer’s recruitment efforts in Canada, and evidence of the employer’s inability to find a suitable Canadian to fill the position.

Exemptions

The LMO-exempt employment is one that benefits from certain exemptions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This type of Work Permit has expedited processing and involves less paperwork. Please contact me to further discuss these exemptions or to find out more details with regards to the LMO process.

Foreign Students

If you wish to study at university, college or trade school in Canada (and you are, at the time of the application, above 18), you will need a Study Permit. Please note that minor children who are planning on attending pre-school, primary school, or secondary school are not required to obtain a Study Permit, (except for children who are accompanying their parents who hold Temporary Resident Visas).

In order to apply for a Study Permit, you must provide proof of acceptance into an approved institution, evidence of sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living costs (either your own funds or those belonging to your family), and demonstrate the intention to return home upon the completion of studies (you most show social and financial ties with your country). Typically, when issued, your Study Permit will be valid for 1 year and you will have to renew it at the end of each school year. Over the last year, Canadian government has somewhat eased the Study Permit eligibility criteria, paving the way for more foreign students arriving in Canada on such permits.

Generally speaking, if you are in Canada on a Study Permit, you will not be able to work at the same time, unless you apply for and obtain a Work Permit in addition to the Study Permit or unless you fall under one of the few existing exemptions (namely on-campus and off-campus employment).

Please note that as of June 2010 I am also able to assist with obtaining acceptance letters from two of Ontario's leading colleges, namely Seneca and Sheridan college.

Should you be interested in pursuing any of the courses of studies offered as these two institutions, please contact me and for a nominal fee only, I should be able to assist with enrollment at either of the two colleges:

Seneca - http://www.senecac.on.ca/cmsadmin/program/

Sheridan - http://www.sheridanc.on.ca/programs%20and%20courses/full-time%20programs/programs%20a-z%20index.aspx

If you require more information regarding Study Permits and employment do not hesitate to contact me.