Every year, over 150,000 foreign workers come to Canada to work, with Work Permits issued once an offer of employment has been made. The Work Permit is not an employment contract, but rather a document allowing foreign nationals to work in Canada legally.

There are two types of Work Permits:

Open Work Permits and Employer-Specific Work Permits. 

Open work permits allow foreign nationals to work for any employer in Canada, except for a few exceptions. Individuals eligible for open work permits include permanent residence applicants, dependent family members of some permanent residence applicants, spouses and common-law partners of some workers and international students, refugees, refugee claimants, protected persons, their family members, some temporary resident permit holders, and some young workers participating in special programs.

Employer-specific work permits are issued based on the employer, location, and job. Individuals eligible for employer-specific work permits include workers on a film or television production, academics, researchers at certain Canadian institutions, co-op students on a work term, repair or maintenance workers for industrial or commercial equipment, religious workers, charity workers, professional athletes, coaches, dancers, actors, orchestral musicians, opera singers, entrepreneurs, workers on a farm, agricultural workers, employees for foreign diplomatic missions, consular posts, international organizations or foreign governments, employees of the owner or operator of an international bridge or tunnel, workers whose employer is applying to hire them through the Global Talent Stream, and others.

If you don’t see your situation listed, HOI can help you assess your qualifications and assist you in preparing your application. We offer end-to-end job search services, including a job search strategy report, opportunity research, and job applications. Our job search services are designed to make your journey smoother, with a dedicated job search consultant working with you on your international career.

Why choose Canada for a Work Permit? With over one million job vacancies in Canada, more than 600,000 Work Permits were issued in 2022. Earn an average salary of CAD 50,000 to 60,000, with relaxed work policies for skilled workers. Work 40 hours per week and enjoy 25 paid leaves every year. Average salaries per hour have increased, making Canada an attractive destination for foreign workers.
If you are interested in working in Canada, HOI can help you through the application process and provide end-to-end job search services to make your journey smoother. Contact us today for more information.