You may be eligible to apply for a Work Permit in Canada, depending on the type of work and your current status. Below are a few of the Work Permits which can be issued to foreign workers.
International Student
International students who are registered for a full-time program at a Designated Learning Institution in Canada and meet ALL of the requirements listed below are usually eligible to work off-campus without a work permit, unless otherwise specified on their study permit:
– the student is enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program OR is enrolled in a vocational training program in Quebec
– the student is enrolled in a study program which lasts at least 6 months and offers a diploma or certificate at the time of completion
– the student has already started studying
– the student has a Social Insurance Number issued by Service Canada
International students are only allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the regular school term. During regularly scheduled breaks (such as summer vacation), international students are allowed to work full-time, on the condition that that they will continue their studies once the break is over.
A lot of study programs in Canada include an internship in their curriculum. International students who are attending a program where it is required to complete an internship in order to graduate need to obtain a Co-Op Work Permit. You can apply for a Co-Op Work Permit after you have received your Study Permit and when you are already in Canada. Alternatively, you can apply for the Co-Op Work Permit at the time when you apply for the Study Permit.
In order to apply for a Co-Op Work Permit, you need a letter from your learning institution confirming that work experience is part of the curriculum and an internship is needed in order for students to complete the program.
If you have graduated from a learning institution in Canada, you may be eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit. Not all study programs are eligible for a PGWP! You can verify if your learning institution offers programs eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit here.
The length of the PGWP depends on the program of study. Completing a program which lasted less than 8 months does not make you eligible for a PGWP. Programs that last between 8 months but less than 2 years are usually eligible for a PGWP valid for the same length as the program of study. Completing eligible programs which last 2 years or more may qualify you to obtain a PGWP for up to 3 years.
Students can apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit within 180 days of receiving their completion documents and final marks. However, it’s important that the Study Permit is still valid when applying for the PGWP. If the study permit has expired by the time you apply, you need to restore your status as a student and incur additional costs. For more information about PGWP applications, contact us at imm@zoiwis.ca.
Your spouse or common-law partner could be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit. This type of work permit was created for spouses of people temporarily working or studying in Canada and is usually granted for the same duration as the spouse’s study permit or work permit.
You may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if your spouse or common-law partner is an international student studying full-time. To find out about the requirements for applying for an Open Work Permit, contact us at imm@zoiwis.ca.
Depending on your situation, there are several other programs which can offer either Open Work Permits or employer-specific Work Permits for foreign nationals wanting to work in Canada.
Whether you are an entrepreneur who would like to start a business in Canada or an intra-company transferee who wants to move to Canada, we can advise you on the best path to obtain a work permit. Contact us at imm@zoiwis.ca for more information.