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You might have heard of such a conversation, “I can’t find an employer who sponsor my work permit”.
To obtain a Work Permit, you need an employer who support you. Finding an employer is the first and the most difficult step to come to Canada as a worker.
Employers must go through a process called LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) to hire temporary foreign workers.
Employers are assessed that they make their best efforts to hire Canadians or PRs. To apply for LMIA to hire you is what we call “an employer sponsor you”.
Canada Shaws holds an Employment Agency Licence of British Columbia. We help both the employers to find right employees and apply for LMIA applications.
Under certain conditions, you can obtain a Work Permit which allows you to work for any employers.
This type of Work Permit is called Open Work Permit.
Open Work Permits have several categories based on your situation.
Spouse Open Work Permit
If you are a spouse of a Work Permit or Study Permit (university or public college student) holder, you are eligible for Spouse Open Work Permit.
If your application is approved, you will obtain a Work Permit that is valid for the same period of your spouse’s Work Permit or Study Permit.
PGWP
If you graduate from a Canadian university or public college and your program is more than 8 months, you are eligible to apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
PGWP is an Open Work Permit so you can work for whatever employer you want.
Depending on the length of the program you graduate, you can obtain a PGWP that is valid for up to 3 years.
The examples of eligible countries and territories are :
Japan
South Korea
Hong Kong
Taiwan
The conditions varies by countries and territories. Basically, you have to be between 18 and 30 years old. You can obtain a Working Holiday Work Permit once in the lifetime.
CONCLUSION
You need to obtain a Work Permit to work in Canada. It is difficult but not impossible if you proceed step by step.
Canada Shaws Consulting will help you from the beginning until you obtain a Work Permit.
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Spousal open work permit processing time from IRCC: 16 weeks for a work permit in Canada, country figures from abroad, who qualifies and the CAD 255 in fees.
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