Canada’s economy is strong. Its job market is good. Employers always demand skilled workers. Every year, the Canadian government attracts skilled workers from all countries in the world. Different Canada work visa got introduced to tackle workforce shortage. Here is a list of all of them.
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ToggleWho is Eligible for a Canada work visa?
Applicants have to be eligible for a Canada work visa. The requirements and rules vary for each one of them. The Canadian government is strict with work visa rules. There is no way to escape the law. You have to know them very well and try to comply with it.
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Canada Work Visa
Different Types of Canada Work Visa
There are different types of Canada work visa. Each one of them got introduced for different purposes. Canada work visa comes in two major categories:
1. Canada Non-immigrant work visa
You can only work for a limited time under these work visas. Applicants may not apply for a long stay or citizenship. They are as follows:
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows you to work in Canada as a skilled worker. Its validity is up to six months. However, you can extend it. Holders of a TFWP have to work for only one Canadian employer.
Applicants have to be eligible to receive a TFWP. Its eligibility includes but not limited to:
- LMIA
- Proof to have enough funds
- Job offer
- Etc.
Openwork permit
Canada open work permit is an authorization to work in the country. It is not restricted to a particular job. You can change your employer under an open work permit. Applicants do not have to work only for one employer. The initial validity of the open work permit is six months. However, it is possible to extend it.
Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
There are thousands of foreign students in Canada. Many of them want to say in the country after graduation. The work experience is valuable for their future career. The Canadian government also wants to benefit from these fresh and motivated graduates. So introduced Post Graduate Work Permit. If foreign students are eligible and meet the requirements, they can stay in Canada after graduation. PGWP’s validity depends on the students’ lengths of stay in Canada. However, you do not have to hold a job offer for it.
Working holiday visa
Working holiday visa is for young people to work and travel in the country. It is for people who want to experience life in other countries but do not have funds. Working holiday visa allows its holders to work and visit different parts of the country. Only a few countries are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa. There is also an age limit. Not every age group can apply for it. However, if you comply with it, it’s a good opportunity. The maximum validity of the working holiday visa is one year.
2. Canada Immigrant work visa
The second category is an immigrant work visa. The validity of this group is longer. If the vis holder is eligible, he/she can apply for Canadian citizenship. The work visas in this category are as follows:
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program is one of Canada’s program to attract highly skilled people. It allows people with the right skill to move to Canada. People could get permanent residency through FSTP. It works like a lottery. However, the acceptance probability is much higher.
Every year, the Canadian government releases the skills it needs. Eligible people can submit their profile. Then they get invited to apply for FSTP.
Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Canadian provinces have power and control over their territory. They have different programs and strategies for their own needs. PNP got introduced to respond to the workforce shortage. Every province could have different needed skills. So they can attract whomever they find fit.
While Alberta province might need math teachers, British Colombia could need a few production workers. The province finds the appropriate candidate; then, the federal government approves their eligibility.
Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
The Canadian provinces have different rules and regulations over immigration. They have different necessities regarding the workforce. So they attract only people they need. The Quebec province has its immigration program called Quebec Skilled Workers Program. It allows highly skilled people to move tho Quebec.
The eligible candidates with the right skill enter a pool. They get points based on a grid system. The officials chose applicants with the highest score.
You must hold the least point to be eligible for QSWP. If you apply alone, the least required point is 50.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
There are four Canadian Atlantic provinces:
- New Newfoundland and Labrador
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
They have their immigration programs called Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. It allows each province to attract the workforce they need. The program is a point-based system. Applicants have to receive a minimum required to point to be eligible. The essential requirement is the job offer. Candidates must hold a job offer from a Canadian employer. Please note that there are other requirements, as well.
There are also subcategories for Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)
- Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)
- Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)
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Canada Work Visa Requirements
The requirements for a Canada work visa is as follows:
- Valid passport
- Application form
- Photo
- Resume/CV
- Language proficiency certificate
- Job offer
- Accommodation proof
- Clean record certificate
- Proof to have enough funds
- Previous visa (if any)
- Marriage certificate
- LMIA (if required)
- Medical exam (if required)
Please remember that the requirements are different for each Canada work visa. Also, the authorities might ask for more requirements.
Read our article if you want to learn how to write a Letter of Invitation Canada Sample.
Canada Work Visa Application Process
The application process for a Canada work visa is different. There are various procedures to follow. They depend on the type of visa. In some visas, the Canadian employer has to start the procedure. I other cases, the employee should start it. There might be some things both the employer and employee has to complete. The application process for a Canada work visa is as follows:
1. Check eligibility
As we explained above, there are eligibility criteria for every Canada work visa. You have to comply with it. If not, you can not apply for a work visa. The eligibility is different for each visa:
- Job offer
- Language proficiency
- Job skill
- Point-based system
Check it before you do anything.
2. Application form
There is an application form for a work visa. You have to complete the right one. The place you have to get it depends on the type of visa. You could get it from the IRCC or each Canadian province’s website.
3. Requirements
You have to collect supporting documents to prove:
- You have been honest with your application.
- The applicant is eligible.
Be cautious while gathering supporting documents. Everything must be complete and according to the instructions. Focus even on small details.
4. Submitting requirements
Once you gathered all the requirements, you have to submit them. The place depends on the type of visa. You might have to submit them online or in person.
5. Interview
When you submit the requirements in person, you might have to pass an interview. The Canadian officials ask a few questions about your background. Try to be truthful and give true answers.
When you submit the requirements online, you must pass the Border Control when you get to Canada.
6. Fees
Applicants have to pay a fee for visa application. The fee varies according to the type of visa.
7. Processing
When you completed the above procedures, you just have to wait. Wait until the authorities process your visa. The processing time varies for every visa. It could start from one month to one year. We have explained this element in each blog.
When the application gets approved, authorities will inform you. Now, you can travel to Canada. Providing that it gets denied, the officials will tell you why. In some visas, you can apply again.
8. Residence permit
In some cases, you have to apply for a Residence Permit. It might be part of its application process. You know about it when you read about the visa.
Let’s sum up…
In this text, we explained all types of Canada work visa. You can find a work visa that suits you very in a recognizable way. To find out more about other types of Canada visas visit the left menu of the. You could visit the homepage of the Visa Library to find more about other countries’ visas.
- Published by
- Max-B.
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Hi, thank you for all the useful information provided in this article. My question is are there different pools for 3 types of express entry or all applicants are drawn from the same pool? The reason is the applicants with a Canadian job offer most probable get higher points and based on this system higher point holders receive invitation. So if someone applies through federal skilled worker program it’s less likely to get the invitation.
Thanks for the question. Canada’s Express Entry system has a single pool of applicants, and all of them are chosen from this pool. Your profile is sent to the same group of people who are applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
There are many things that determine how many points you get, such as your age, education, work experience, language skills, and whether you have a valid job offer or a provincial nomination. Of course, having a job offer in Canada can help your points and increase your chances of getting an invitation. But that doesn’t mean that Federal Skilled Worker Program applicants have less of a chance of getting invited.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is what makes the Express Entry system work. It ranks candidates based on how many points they have. The top candidates in the pool are usually sent Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, it doesn’t matter which program they applied through. No matter what program you applied for, you have a good chance of getting an ITA if you have a competitive CRS score and meet the other requirements.