Different Types of Work Permits in Canada for Indians

Manmeet Kaur
[Published 09 May, 2024 | 05:26 PM]
About Author - 8 min read
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Indians who wish to work in Canada require a work permit. To apply for one, you need to get a job offer in Canada from India supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

That said, there are exceptions to these requirements, where Indian skilled workers can apply for a Canada work permit without an LMIA or even a job offer. For instance, a recent graduate from a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) or the spouse of a person on a work or study permit in Canada.

Work permits have sub-categories, making it confusing for those who wish to work in Canada.

Check Eligibility for Canadian Work Permits

Types of Canadian Work Permits for Indians

Indians have different options when it comes to applying for a work permit in Canada. While some work permits require an LMIA-supported job offer others require the candidate to have some connection to Canada – education, spousal sponsorship, etc.

Here are the types of work permits in Canada for skilled workers in India:

Work Permits requiring an LMIA

There are three types of Canadian work permits that require employers in Canada to get an LMIA before hiring foreign nationals:

• Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
  

First, we have the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, allowing Canadian employers to hire foreign-skilled workers for temporary positions. To hire, the Canadian employer has to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) approved by the Canadian government.

This proves that no citizens or permanent residents are available to fill the job openings and hiring foreign workers won’t negatively impact the Canadian labour market. Further, the TFWP has sub-streams, including high-wage and low-wage streams, and the Agricultural stream, each with its own requirements.

• Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
  

A program offered by the Quebec government, Facilitated LMIA speed up the processing of an LMIA for specific temporary foreign workers. Unlike employers in other provinces where they have to provide proof that they made efforts to hire a Canadian for the position. Employers in Quebec can apply for LMIAs without having to prove that they made efforts to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the position.

Under this work permit, employers in Quebec can only submit a facilitated LMIA application for occupations that are high in demand and with labour shortages in the region of Quebec in which they are located.

• Global Talent Stream
  

The last Canadian work permit that requires an LMIA is the Global Talent Stream. Included in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, this stream speeds up the work permit process for specific employers in the country. This allows them to compete on a global scale.

Those who are approved through this program can speed up the process of recruiting foreign workers through the Global Skills Strategy. Candidates under the Global Talent Stream are hired through two categories, each with unique requirements.

LMIA-Exempt Work Permits with exceptions

In the following types of work permits, employers can hire foreign skilled workers without a job offer or an employment contract:

• International Mobility Program (IMP)

IMP allows employers in Canada to hire temporary foreign workers without an LMIA. While most do require one, there are exceptions based on certain conditions. To hire a skilled worker from foreign nations through IMP, the employer must first verify the position or worker in question is eligible for an LMIA exemption, then pay the compliance fees, and lastly, submit the official job offer through the IMP’s Employer Portal.

• Intra-Company Transfers

Under the Intra-Company Transfers (ICT), which falls under the International Mobility Programs, qualified business owners in India can move their business to Canada and get a Canada work permit. In most cases, the primary applicant’s spouse is eligible for an open work permit and the dependent children, a study permit.

Open Work Permits

The Canadian government offers different types of open work permits that do not require a job offer or an LMIA:

• Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)

International students who are on a study permit are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit after graduating from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). With a PGWP, an international graduate can work for any employer, anywhere in Canada. The length of PGWP is the same as the length of your study program, typically 3 years.

Students can gain Canadian work experience with this work permit and after working for at least 12 months, may be eligible to apply for Canada PR through Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

• Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) Canada

Another type of Canadian work permit for Indians is the Spousal Open Work Permit. It allows the spouse or partner of a temporary permit holder in Canada to work in Canada for a certain time. Also, if you have applied to be sponsored for permanent residence by your spouse or partner in Canada, you may be eligible for a spouse-open work permit.

SOWP is not specific to a Canadian employer, meaning the spouse can work anywhere, for any employer, without the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement.

On January 22, 2024, IRCC announced a few changes to the international student program and one of them mentioned changes to the Canada Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).

• Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Canada

Indians who are currently working in Canada and want to extend their status – but are awaiting a decision on their PR application are eligible to apply for Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). It is only available to individuals who have already submitted a permanent residence application and possess a valid work permit in Canada.

If your BOWP application is approved, it results in an Open Work Permit, allowing you to work for many employers in multiple locations in the country, of your own choosing.

• Spouse Accompanying International Student or Worker

Indians applying for a study permit in Canada can bring their spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children with them. Include them in your application. While you will study in Canada, you may be eligible for a work permit.

When applying, include proof of relationship, financial proof, medical exams, police clearance certificates and other documents required for a Student Spouse Visa.

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General eligibility requirements to work in Canada

Indians who are eligible for a work permit must fulfil the following eligibility requirements too:

• Show your intention to leave Canada once your authorization to work expires
• Show evidence of funds to support yourself and any family members in Canada and to return home
• Prove you are not criminally or medically inadmissible to Canada
• Prove you plan to work with an eligible Canadian employer
• Provide additional documents as requested by the authorities that may prove your eligibility to enter Canada

Canada Work Permit Approval in 142 Days || Kavita Mathew's Visa Story

Need Help?

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Read More: Canada Immigration: From Temporary Resident to Permanent Residence