How to Get a Canadian Work Visa in 2023

Did you know that there is a gap in the job market in various industries in Canada? To combat this, the Canadian government seeks foreign workers to fill in-demand positions to help contribute to the Canadian economy.

This is a perfect opportunity to live in one of the most financially secure countries while using your skills to contribute to the country’s growth. If you’re interested in starting afresh in a new country this new year, you should consider moving to the Great North. Let’s talk about how to get a Canadian work visa in 2023.

Join the Canadian Work Force

If you want to work in Canada, the most important thing you will need is a Canadian work permit or permanent resident status. In an effort to make the immigration process easier, the Canadian government has developed a number of immigration and work permit programs that you can apply through depending on what suits you best.

To make the process even simpler, we’ve outlined five great options to consider if you need to know how to get a Canadian work visa in 2023.

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is part of the Express Entry system which is a popular immigration option because of its fast processing time of as little as six months. The Federal Skilled Worker Program is geared toward people who have the qualifications, skills, or work experiences to contribute to the Canadian economy.

So how do you know if this program is for you? Let’s look at the requirements you need to meet in order to apply for the FSWP.

• Have skilled work experience in 1 of these positions listed in the National Occupation Classification (NOC)

• Managerial
• Professional
• Trade/technical occupation

Successful applicants will obtain Canadian permanent residence, which allows them to live and work in Canada.

2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is designed for skilled trade workers who want to become permanent residents in Canada. Here are the requirements you need to meet in order to apply for the FSTP:

Skilled work experience

You need to have skilled work experience classified under the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) categories:

• Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades
• Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades
• Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
• Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
• Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
• Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers

You must:

Language requirements

You must meet the required language levels for each of the following language abilities:

Do I qualify? Check now

3. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

If you are still looking for options on how to get a Canadian work visa in 2023, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program may be for you. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program was developed to allow Canadian employers to hire foreign workers within a variety of job positions.

Because the TFWP was designed to help employers fill in-demand occupations, a key part of the program is applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

An LMIA proves that the position available was not able to be filled by a permanent resident or Canadian citizen. As an employer, if you wish to hire a temporary worker, the worker you wish to hire must submit a copy of the LMIA or the LMIA number along with their work permit application.

If you want to hire a foreign worker that is exempt from an LMIA you can do so through the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Apart from applying for an LMIA, you need to meet the following requirements to be able to apply through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

• You must have a job offer in Canada
• You must prove that you will leave Canada after your work permit expires
• You must prove that have sufficient financial resources for your and your family’s stay in Canada and that you have enough funds to return to your home country
• You must prove that you have a clear criminal record
• You must be in good health

4. Post Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP)

If you have completed your studies in Canada and now you wish to start your career here, the Post Graduation Work Permit Program could be the pathway for you.

The Post Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) is designed to help foreign students who have completed a qualification from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), live and work in Canada.

This program allows international PGWP students in Canada to receive an open work permit. This work permit will allow graduates to work full-time, part-time and be employed anywhere in Canada.

To qualify for the Post Graduation Work Permit Program, you need to meet the following requirements:

• You must have completed a program of study that lasted at least 8 months and led to a degree, diploma or certificate
• You must have studied full-time each academic session without taking time away from studies
• For distance learning, you must have completed at least 50 percent of your program in Canada, which is calculated based on the number of courses completed in Canada
• You must have completed at least 50 percent of your program in-person

5. Atlantic Immigration Program

If you can picture yourself living close to the blue waters and enjoying walks on the beach, then you should consider applying through the Atlantic Immigration Program. This program is designed for skilled workers who are seeking permanent residence in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces, namely:

1. Newfoundland and Labrador
2. Prince Edward Island
3. New Brunswick
4. Nova Scotia

The pilot is also open to foreign graduates who have completed their studies in one of these four provinces.

There are three programs within the Atlantic Immigration Program namely:

1. The Atlantic International Graduate Program
2. Atlantic High-Skilled Program
3. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

These are the requirements you need to meet to apply for each program:

Atlantic International Graduate Program

Due to its significant success, the former Atlantic Immigration Pilot has become the Atlantic Immigration Program.

• This program is for individuals who have attained a qualification from a publicly-funded institution in one of the Canadian Atlantic provinces
• You will need to have lived in the province for a minimum of 16 months in the 2 years before attaining your qualification
• You will have to take a language test, regardless of the language you completed your studies in, and
• You must be able to prove you will be able to support yourself as well as any dependents that will be staying with you.

Atlantic High-Skilled Program

• To apply for this program, you must have at least 1 year of experience working in management, professional or skilled job
• You must have a foreign degree or diploma equal to a Canadian credential, for which you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report done
• You will need to take an approved language test to prove you are proficient enough in English or French to live and work in Canada
• You need to have proof of funds that meet the minimum required amount to support yourself as well as any dependents regardless of whether they are joining you in Canada or not

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

FAQS

1. Is it difficult to get a Canadian work visa?

It can be complicated to obtain a Canada work permit. While you can apply for a work permit by yourself, the process is much easier if you work with an RCIC who will ensure that you submit all the necessary documents correctly and guide you through the entire process.

2. How long can you stay in Canada on a work visa?

The amount of time that you are allowed to stay in Canada with all extensions is no more than 4 years.

3. Is it possible to apply for a Temporary Work Permit and a Canada Immigration Visa?

The short answer is yes. You can apply for a Temporary Work Permit on its own or along with an application for a Canada Immigration Visa. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly CIC) recognizes the concept of "dual intent". This allows an applicant to work in Canada temporarily and thereafter live and work in Canada permanently.

4. What qualifies as proof of funds?

Proof of Funds usually comes in the form of a bank, security or custody statement, and can be procured from your bank or financial institution that holds your money. Bank statements are the most common document to use as proof of funds and can typically be found online or at a bank branch.

Can I leave and come back to Canada if I have a work permit?

Yes. However, a Canada work permit isn’t a travel document. It doesn’t give you the right to travel to Canada. Along with your permit, you need either:

• a temporary resident visa or
• an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Having an eTA or a visa, along with your work permit, doesn’t guarantee that you will be allowed to re-enter Canada. You must show the border services officer that you meet all the requirements before you will be able to re-enter.

Now that you know more about how to get a Canadian work visa in 2023, it’s time to apply for your visa application. We know it can be complicated and time-consuming, that is why our RCICs are here to guide you through the application process so you have a better chance of success.

Ready to start? Apply now