Work permits
If you’re hiring someone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they will need a valid work permit before they can work in Canada. There are many types of work permits, so assess which option is best given your candidate’s citizenship, education and experience.
Work permits are issued by specific work permit programs, with each program having different eligibility criteria, such as citizenship, occupation or type of employment. In some situations, you may be able to choose from different work permit programs, and in other cases, the program you choose may depend on processing times or the level of complexity of the application.
Choosing the most applicable work permit program
The following questions can help you determine which work permit program is best for your candidate’s situation:
- Is your candidate an American or Mexican citizen?
Check out NAFTA as an option. - Is your candidate Francophone?
Check out the Francophone Mobility Program. - Is your candidate under the age of 30 or 35?
The International Experience Canada programs might be a possibility. - Is your position full-time and ongoing?
Check out the BC Provincial Nominee Program as an option. - None of these options apply to your situation?
You can always pursue one of the Labour Market Impact Assessment streams.