Over 150,000 foreign workers are admitted to work in Canada each year. These temporary workers help fill and address skill shortages in Canada’s labour markets. Over the next 10 years Canada plans to admit more than 1 million foreign workers to work in Canada.
In almost all cases a temporary work permit is required before being able to come to work in Canada.
Foreign workers with the intention of working in Canada must first secure a job offer from a Canadian employer. Job offers must be in occupations that have been deemed to be in demand or those jobs for which an employer is having a hard time filing with someone already present in Canada. In most cases, employers who want to hire foreign workers must provide evidence of such recruitment efforts within Canada before being approved.
After a job offer has been provided to a foreign worker, the employer (company) must apply for approval from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Once approved, the foreign worker may apply to the federal government for a work permit.
Foreign workers who have been working full-time in Canada for a period of at least two (2) years may qualify to apply for permanent resident status through either the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or through the Federal/Quebec Skilled Worker programs.
To learn more about how you can apply for a work permit to Canada, click here.
If your family members want to work in Canada
If you have been authorized to work in Canada, you may bring your family members with you. Your accompanying family members may also be able to work here by virtue of the permit you have obtained yourself. Your spouse or common-law partner may also receive an “Open Work Permit”. An open work permit will allow them to work in any job with any employer. An open work permit also means that they may be hired without the employer having to obtain approval from HRSDC.
Medicals and Security Clearance
Depending on your intended occupation while in Canada, certain temporary foreign workers may be required to undergo a medical examination. Medical examinations are normally required for occupations that bring you into close contact (more than 3 hours a day or risk of exchange of body fluids) with people, namely:
- workers in health sciences field
- clinical laboratory workers
- patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes
- teachers of primary or secondary schools or other teachers of small children
- live-in caregivers
You may also be required to pass a security check. Police clearances are required to determine if applicants have a criminal record. They also help visa officers make sure applicants are not a risk to Canada.