How to apply for a temporary work permit in Canada

The US reopened its borders to fully vaccinated visitors 4:19

(CNN Spanish) -

By September 2021, more than 92,000 people obtained a permit under the temporary foreign worker program (TET), according to figures from the Canadian Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

But who can work in Canada, and how do you get a work permit as a foreigner?

According to the Canadian government, working in Canada as a foreigner normally requires a work permit, although there are exceptions.

For example, if you are a religious leader, artist, public speaker, or health student.

• Mexico and the US launch "Sembrando Oportunidades", an initiative to address the causes of migration in Central America

In addition, the process will also depend on the type of permit that is needed, since Canada has two types:

• Open Work Permit -

  This permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada.

  Among the people who can apply for an open work permit are eligible international students, students who cannot cover the costs of their studies, a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence, the spouse or partner of a skilled worker or student international, refugees, among others.

• Employer-specific work

  permit

  : 

  This permit only allows you to work as stated in your work permit, which indicates the name of the employer you can work for, how long you can work and the place of work.

  For example, if you are an academic, work in a television or film production, are a professional athlete or an entrepreneur, you may be eligible for a specific work permit from the employer. 

The Canadian government website has a questionnaire that lets you know the type of work permit you need, depending on the job you intend to do.

Eligibility requirements for a work permit

Before being able to apply for a work permit, the applicant must have a job offer letter, a contract, a copy of the Labor Market Impact Assessment (EIMT) and the EIMT number.

advertising

According to the government of Canada, in most cases employers need an EIMT, a document necessary to hire foreign workers.

However, there are job offers that are exempt from the labor market impact assessment.

For example: if they are covered by an international agreement - such as CUSMA (Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada) or GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) -, are they covered by an agreement between Canada and a province or territory or are exempted on "Canadian interest" grounds.

However, even if a job is exempt from an EIMT, the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Therefore, regardless of what type of work is requested and where it is requested, the person must:

• Show that you will be leaving Canada when the work permit expires

• Show that you have enough money to cover your expenses and those of your family during your stay in Canada and to return to your country of origin

• Have no history of criminal activity

• Not be a danger to the safety of Canada

• To have good health

• Not working for an employer listed as “ineligible”

• Not planning to work for an employer that regularly offers striptease, erotic dancing, escort services, or erotic massage

• Deliver to the official any document that is requested to demonstrate that they can enter the country

In order for a person to apply for agricultural work in Canada, they must be eligible for a work permit and must still meet certain eligibility criteria.

• How to apply for a temporary agricultural job in Canada

If you are eligible for a work permit, you can apply online.

Once submitted, you must provide your biometric data.

Citizens of Venezuela may need to complete additional steps when completing their application.

For example, if the printed expiration date of the passport has expired, it is possible to add 5 years by including an explanatory letter with the request that says: "I am a Venezuelan citizen with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years."

How do I find a job vacancy?

The Canadian government maintains a job board that lists Canadian employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers.

Listed workers have already obtained or applied for an EIMT.

Restrictions by covid-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all travelers 5 years of age or older must present proof with a negative COVID-19 test result in order to enter Canada.

• This is how omicron was discovered in South Africa, the variant of coronavirus that set off a chain reaction

The proof must be presented even if the person is fully vaccinated against covid-19.

However, fully vaccinated temporary foreign workers are exempt from quarantine and testing on the eighth day.

Faced with the omicron variant of the coronavirus, the Canadian government prohibited entry to foreign citizens who have been in Botswana, Egypt, Swatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe 15 days before their arrival in the North American country. .

immigration Canada