Canada Work Visas

Living and working in Canada is possible through a range of Canadian immigration and visa services from short term work permits through to longer term points based Canadian visas for skilled migrants and Canadian business visas.

As Canadian immigration specialists, Global Visas help individuals and businesses to obtain the right Canadian visa services for their needs. Get your application started today by visiting the online assessment area.

Canadian Work Permits – Living and Working in Canada

Canadian Work Permits, like US work permits are an employer led process and depend primarily upon the candidate having a guaranteed offer of employment from a Canadian company. In Canada, work permit applications are employer specific, which means that a candidate may only use the work permit for the sponsoring employer and for the specific position outlined in the application. All job offers must be authorised by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and it must be established that employing a non-Canadian employee will not displace an exiting Canadian permanent resident or Citizen.

Although a Canadian work permit cannot be extended and is not intended as a route to permanent lawful residence in Canada, it may be possible for a work permit holder to transfer into another work or business visa category subject to meeting the appropriate requirements.

Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Visa

The Federal Skilled Worker Visa is a permanent Canadian immigration service which assesses candidates under a points based system. Skilled worker visas are designed to attract migrants with skills and experience which will befit the Canadian economy. As such, this Canadian visa route focuses upon several key areas including an applicant’s age, experience, qualifications, language proficiency and their ability to adapt to living and working in Canada. Candidates must score a minimum of 67 points in order to qualify and although a pre-arranged job offer is not essential, extra points may be accrued for having an offer of work. Candidates must be proficient in at least one of the two official languages of Canada, English, and French, although ability in both will result in extra points.

As a route to permanent immigration, the Federal Skilled Worker visa allows candidates to apply for Canadian citizenship after the minimum residency requirement which in this case is three years.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Visa

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has the ability to influence which applicants may to immigrate to Quebec. As a result, skilled migrants will undergo the points based Quebec Skilled Worker Visa, which like its Federal counterpart, assesses candidates in several key areas although the criteria are different, reflecting the requirements of the predominantly French speaking province.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Visa is also granted for three years with the possibility of applying for Citizenship beyond this period, and many of the same areas of assessment are employed as in the Federal skilled worker visa. Candidates are assessed on their qualifications, age, adaptability, earnings and linguistic ability although in the language category points are more heavily weighted towards the French language. One of the key differences between the Quebec and Federal skilled visas is the way in which points are awarded for the employment category.

Under the Quebec Skilled Worker Visa, candidates must score a minimum of 8 points, although this can be raised to 12 or 15 points depending on the candidate’s circumstances. If the candidate will be relocating to Canada in order to work in a shortage occupation, 12 points may be awarded. Candidates must intend to fill a position in the stated occupation and must have been employed in the previous country of residence in a similar position for at least six months. Under the Quebec Immigration Assured Job program, candidates with a definite job offer from a Quebec employer may accrue 15 points in the employment category. Candidates must have occupied a similar position for at least 10 years and all job offers must be approved by Quebec Immigration service authorities and will need to undergo labour market testing. Job offers must not in any way displace an existing Canadian citizen or permanent resident and it must be shown that no such candidate could be found and suitably trained in less than 1 year.

Canadian Business Visas - The Canadian Entrepreneur Visa

Canada offers a range of business based visas for permanent immigration which are collectively known as the Canadian Business Immigration Program. The first of these, the Canadian Entrepreneur Immigrant Programme seeks to attract applicants with business skills and experience which will allow them to contribute to the Canadian economy. Canadian entrepreneur visas require candidates to start or assume control of a Canadian business which will create job opportunities within Canada.

Like all components of the Canadian Business Immigration Program, the Canadian Entrepreneur Visa requires candidate to attain a minimum of 35 points on a point based assessment which review a candidate’s business experience, education, age, and adaptability. Candidates must also be proficient in either English or French. However, the key requirement of this Canadian business visa is that a candidate must have at least two years of business experience and they must possess a minimum net worth of $300,000 CDN.

The Canadian Investor Visa

Like the Canadian Entrepreneur Visa, the Investor visa assesses candidates on a points system and requires an investment to be made. However, as they name suggests this immigration service is less concerned with a candidate’s ability to manage a business on a day to day basis and is chiefly designed to attract those who can invest large sums in the Canadian economy. Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $800,000 CDN and must make an investment of $400,000 CDN or more with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Canadian Self Employed Visa

The third Canadian business visa which fits into the Canadian Business Immigration Program is the Canadian Self-Employed Immigration program which once again assesses candidates on a points system which requires a 25 point minimum pass mark. Once again, the key areas of education qualifications, age, adaptability, and language are taken into account, however unlike the other Canadian business visas no specific net worth or investment is required. Self employed visa applicants must be able to present a viable business venture proposal and must have sufficient funding to themselves and any dependents in Canada whilst the proposal is brought to fruition. Self employed visa applicants must be setting up a venture which will benefit Canada’s sporting or cultural development, or alternatively this visa can be obtained by those who will be relocating to Canada in order to purchase and manage a farm.

You can take the first step towards relocating to Canada today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area. To find our whether you qualify for a work permit or one of the Canadian business visas, simply fill in one of our straightforward assessment forms and a specialist Canadian immigration consultant will contact you.