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All clients wishing to make a visa application for any country are advised to complete the Visa Applications Questionnaire. This will help us to provide you with the best possible representation.
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CANADIAN VISA SERVICES - FAQs
1.What is a Work Permit?
A Work Permit is a legal document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and is required for most foreign national wishing to work in Canada. Work is defined as participation in an activity for which wages or commission is earned, or that competes directly with the activities of Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.
2.Does my Work Permit count towards my points for Permanent Residence?
If you have a Work Permit that is valid in Canada for one year, you can count those points in your Permanent Residence application.
3.Once I am in Canada on a Work Permit, if I leave, will I be allowed to re-enter?
If you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visitor visa to visit Canada, or if you are travelling to the US and will be returning directly to Canada, then you should be able to re-enter Canada on your work permit. If you do require a visitor visa before visiting Canada, then you may be required to obtain a visitor visa again before being allowed to re-enter Canada.
4.Do I need to have a job offer from a Canadian employer before applying for a Work Permit?
In most cases, for a foreign national to work in Canada, a job offer from a Canadian employer is required. Most job offers will have to be approved by Service Canada before the work permit is issued.
However, if you are coming to Canada as a self-employed person or an entrepreneur, you may not need a job offer from a Canadian employer if you can show that by hiring you there will be significant benefits rendered to Canada. Contact ILAS (LLP) on our office number or visa questionnaire on-line if you are self-employed or an entrepreneur.
5.Can NAFTA help me?
If you are a citizen of the United States or Mexico and have a highly skilled profession listed in NAFTA , you will still require a work permit but may benefit from a highly stream-lined process under the North American Free Trade Agreement. NAFTA allows these professionals to apply at the Port of Entry, without having received Labour Market Opinion.
6.What is a Labour Market Opinion?
A Labour Market Opinion is issued by Service Canada to an Employer allowing them to hire you as a foreign worker. There are few exceptions to this policy (i.e. some trades, NAFTA, etc). An application is submitted to HRSD showing numerous criteria (including but not limited to competitive salary and recruitment efforts on the employers part), and HRSD reviews the file to ensure that the employer will not harm the Canadian economy by hiring a foreign worker.
7.When do I need a Labour Market Opinion?
A Labour Market Opinion, for most people, is required before you can apply for a Work Permit. You are exempted from HRSD confirmation if you are coming to Canada to work under NAFTA, as a business visitor, intra-company transferee, or self-employed person.
8.Can I get the Labour Market Opinion after I apply for my work permit?
No. If an HRSD Labour Market Opinion is required, your employer will need to apply for this before you can apply for your work permit.
9.Can you help my employer with the HRSD Labour Market Opinion?
Absolutely! ILAS (LLP) & Partners will work with your employer as part of our overall services. We can help the employer with as much of the process as s/he requires. A Labour Market Opinion an integral part of the Work Permit process, and as such, our team of experts will ensure that every requirement is both met and exceeded.
10.Where will my HRSD Labour Market Opinion be processed?
The Labour Market Opinion will be processed in Canada.
11.Where will my Canadian Work Permit be processed?
Your Canadian Work Permit must normally be processed outside of Canada. If you have legal status in Canada and have the ability to legally enter the United States, you may be able to apply in the US. Otherwise, you will be required to apply in your Country of legal permanent residence. If you are from a visa exempt country then you can apply for a work permit at the border.
12.What should I submit with my Work Permit Application?
If you are applying under NAFTA, or any other visa exempt category, you will need to submit numerous documents indicating that you have a valid reason for entering Canada as a worker, such as a job offer, etc. You will also be required to prove that you have the skills necessary to work in that position. You can apply at the Port of Entry.
If you are applying under a non-visa exempt category, you will be required to apply at a Visa Post overseas. You will be required to submit the appropriate application, accompanied by the favourable Labour Market Opinion. You will need proof that the job is actually being offered to you, and that you are able to enter that position.
13.How long does the entire process take?
The Labour Market Opinion usually can take anywhere from two to ten weeks. The Work Permit usually takes from four to eight weeks. If you are able to apply at the Port of Entry, you will likely find out that day.
14.Can I extend or change the terms or conditions of my Work Permit?
There is a process for changing the terms or conditions of your work permit. You may apply for an extension, but the employer must still show that they have a need for you, and that may require applying again for another Labour Market Opinion.
15.What happens if I lose my job while in Canada on a Work Permit?
Your legal status in Canada is tied specifically to your job. If you find another job, you will be required to apply for a new Work Permit for the new job.
16.If I have a Work Permit, can my family accompany me to Canada?
Your spouse or common-law partner and dependant children may accompany you, but they will be required to each submit an application and pay the appropriate government fees.
17.If I have a Work Permit, can my spouse work?
When you apply for your work permit, you can also apply for ‘an open’ work permit for your spouse or common-law partner. This allows your spouse to work in any job that s/he can find, limited by any exceptions CIC invokes.
18.Can my children go to school if I have a Work Permit?
Your children can study in Canada and a permit may not be needed.
19.Would I be able to have health care if I am in Canada with a Work Permit?
Every Canadian province is different in terms of health care coverage. Most provinces will allow a foreign national access to the provincial health care system if the valid work permit is for longer than six months duration. Some provinces do require a three-month waiting period, however.
MISCELLAENEOUS QUESTIONS
Will I be permitted to make an exploratory visit to Canada to study the situation?
In order to come to Canada many people require a visitor's visa. Click here www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html to see if you require a Visitor’s Visa.
To apply for a visitor's visa you must satisfy the immigration officer that your intent to come to Canada to purely for visitation purposes and that you will return to your home country. The process may involve proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your visit, a return ticket to your home country, and proof that you have ties to your home country such as a job, property and immediate family.
The criteria of granting a visitor’s visa are largely at the discretion of the individual consular office, but there is no particular reason why you should be denied the visa owing to your permanent residence application.
What is the basic cost of living?
Obviously the cost of living will vary from family to family and depends on many factors. For example, the size of the family, the area you choose to live in, your personal needs over and above the necessities all play a role. However, we generally advise people that for the very basic necessities, they should budget roughly $2000 CAD per month, per family.
A Work Permit is a legal document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and is required for most foreign national wishing to work in Canada. Work is defined as participation in an activity for which wages or commission is earned, or that competes directly with the activities of Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.
2.Does my Work Permit count towards my points for Permanent Residence?
If you have a Work Permit that is valid in Canada for one year, you can count those points in your Permanent Residence application.
3.Once I am in Canada on a Work Permit, if I leave, will I be allowed to re-enter?
If you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visitor visa to visit Canada, or if you are travelling to the US and will be returning directly to Canada, then you should be able to re-enter Canada on your work permit. If you do require a visitor visa before visiting Canada, then you may be required to obtain a visitor visa again before being allowed to re-enter Canada.
4.Do I need to have a job offer from a Canadian employer before applying for a Work Permit?
In most cases, for a foreign national to work in Canada, a job offer from a Canadian employer is required. Most job offers will have to be approved by Service Canada before the work permit is issued.
However, if you are coming to Canada as a self-employed person or an entrepreneur, you may not need a job offer from a Canadian employer if you can show that by hiring you there will be significant benefits rendered to Canada. Contact ILAS (LLP) on our office number or visa questionnaire on-line if you are self-employed or an entrepreneur.
5.Can NAFTA help me?
If you are a citizen of the United States or Mexico and have a highly skilled profession listed in NAFTA , you will still require a work permit but may benefit from a highly stream-lined process under the North American Free Trade Agreement. NAFTA allows these professionals to apply at the Port of Entry, without having received Labour Market Opinion.
6.What is a Labour Market Opinion?
A Labour Market Opinion is issued by Service Canada to an Employer allowing them to hire you as a foreign worker. There are few exceptions to this policy (i.e. some trades, NAFTA, etc). An application is submitted to HRSD showing numerous criteria (including but not limited to competitive salary and recruitment efforts on the employers part), and HRSD reviews the file to ensure that the employer will not harm the Canadian economy by hiring a foreign worker.
7.When do I need a Labour Market Opinion?
A Labour Market Opinion, for most people, is required before you can apply for a Work Permit. You are exempted from HRSD confirmation if you are coming to Canada to work under NAFTA, as a business visitor, intra-company transferee, or self-employed person.
8.Can I get the Labour Market Opinion after I apply for my work permit?
No. If an HRSD Labour Market Opinion is required, your employer will need to apply for this before you can apply for your work permit.
9.Can you help my employer with the HRSD Labour Market Opinion?
Absolutely! ILAS (LLP) & Partners will work with your employer as part of our overall services. We can help the employer with as much of the process as s/he requires. A Labour Market Opinion an integral part of the Work Permit process, and as such, our team of experts will ensure that every requirement is both met and exceeded.
10.Where will my HRSD Labour Market Opinion be processed?
The Labour Market Opinion will be processed in Canada.
11.Where will my Canadian Work Permit be processed?
Your Canadian Work Permit must normally be processed outside of Canada. If you have legal status in Canada and have the ability to legally enter the United States, you may be able to apply in the US. Otherwise, you will be required to apply in your Country of legal permanent residence. If you are from a visa exempt country then you can apply for a work permit at the border.
12.What should I submit with my Work Permit Application?
If you are applying under NAFTA, or any other visa exempt category, you will need to submit numerous documents indicating that you have a valid reason for entering Canada as a worker, such as a job offer, etc. You will also be required to prove that you have the skills necessary to work in that position. You can apply at the Port of Entry.
If you are applying under a non-visa exempt category, you will be required to apply at a Visa Post overseas. You will be required to submit the appropriate application, accompanied by the favourable Labour Market Opinion. You will need proof that the job is actually being offered to you, and that you are able to enter that position.
13.How long does the entire process take?
The Labour Market Opinion usually can take anywhere from two to ten weeks. The Work Permit usually takes from four to eight weeks. If you are able to apply at the Port of Entry, you will likely find out that day.
14.Can I extend or change the terms or conditions of my Work Permit?
There is a process for changing the terms or conditions of your work permit. You may apply for an extension, but the employer must still show that they have a need for you, and that may require applying again for another Labour Market Opinion.
15.What happens if I lose my job while in Canada on a Work Permit?
Your legal status in Canada is tied specifically to your job. If you find another job, you will be required to apply for a new Work Permit for the new job.
16.If I have a Work Permit, can my family accompany me to Canada?
Your spouse or common-law partner and dependant children may accompany you, but they will be required to each submit an application and pay the appropriate government fees.
17.If I have a Work Permit, can my spouse work?
When you apply for your work permit, you can also apply for ‘an open’ work permit for your spouse or common-law partner. This allows your spouse to work in any job that s/he can find, limited by any exceptions CIC invokes.
18.Can my children go to school if I have a Work Permit?
Your children can study in Canada and a permit may not be needed.
19.Would I be able to have health care if I am in Canada with a Work Permit?
Every Canadian province is different in terms of health care coverage. Most provinces will allow a foreign national access to the provincial health care system if the valid work permit is for longer than six months duration. Some provinces do require a three-month waiting period, however.
MISCELLAENEOUS QUESTIONS
Will I be permitted to make an exploratory visit to Canada to study the situation?
In order to come to Canada many people require a visitor's visa. Click here www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html to see if you require a Visitor’s Visa.
To apply for a visitor's visa you must satisfy the immigration officer that your intent to come to Canada to purely for visitation purposes and that you will return to your home country. The process may involve proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your visit, a return ticket to your home country, and proof that you have ties to your home country such as a job, property and immediate family.
The criteria of granting a visitor’s visa are largely at the discretion of the individual consular office, but there is no particular reason why you should be denied the visa owing to your permanent residence application.
What is the basic cost of living?
Obviously the cost of living will vary from family to family and depends on many factors. For example, the size of the family, the area you choose to live in, your personal needs over and above the necessities all play a role. However, we generally advise people that for the very basic necessities, they should budget roughly $2000 CAD per month, per family.
ILAS now offers legal & visa services for American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Polish & Nigerian applications.
| · | American Legal Services |
| · | Canadian Visa services |
| · | South African Visa Services |
| · | Australian & New Zealand Visa Services |