Man people assume that the easiest way to move to Canada is by getting a job offer or that you need a job offer in order to move to Canada. As you know by now, this isn’t the case. If you’re a young professional or work in a skilled trade, you can probably move to Canada as a permanent resident through Express Entry.
Your odds of finding a company to sponsor you for a work permit vary greatly, based on your professional experience and personal network. If you do find a company to sponsor you, their attorney takes care of getting you a work permit. Unlike some countries, this can happen in a matter of weeks. You might want to start packing as soon as you accept the job offer.
One interesting detail is that you can’t get a work permit for any employer “who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.” That suggests they’re banned from hiring foreign workers, even you’re doing the accounting. Blame sex trafficking.
Your prospective employer will need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to show that they couldn’t hire a Canadian for the job and that hiring you won’t have a negative impact on the economy.
You’ll need to submit:
● your application,
● the job offer letter,
● a copy of the LMIA or offer of employment number,
● proof of experience or education, based on the job requirements,
● an eTA or visitor visa, if you need one
You can do this all online. You may be required to have an interview with an IRCC official and/or get a medical exam. If your job requires a medical exam, it can add significantly to the processing time.
Once your application is approved, you’ll get a letter of introduction. When you arrive at the port of entry, you’ll show this to a border services officer. Hopefully, they’ll give you a work permit without any trouble. Sometimes they’ll ask for piles of documentation. This is at the discretion of the border agent. I know people who’ve only gotten their work permit after going back for additional documents three times! Other times they approve work permits without looking at anything.
Your work permit will be specific to your employer and will say how long it’s valid for. It may even specify what location you can work if your company has multiple locations.
