Most workers coming to Canada require an ordinary work permit, but there are some exceptional circumstances. Business people, professionals and company transferees from countries covered under NAFTA or other free trade agreements generally do not need to go through the same application process as ordinary workers. Workers entering Canada to be live-in caregivers can enter under the Live-In Caregiver program. This program has a separate application procedure and is intended to allow nannies and those who care for the elderly or disabled to eventually become permanent residents.
You must have a job offer from a Canadian employer and meet the requirements to fill the position in order to apply for a work permit. In most cases, you will also need a police certificate that indicates you have no criminal record and are not a threat to Canada. Workers from certain countries and territories and workers who will be taking jobs in the health care field are also required to have a medical certificate showing that they are not carrying any communicable diseases. You can find a link to a list of the countries from which workers require a medical certificate in Resources.
You need to obtain, complete and submit an application in order to get a work permit. You can get an application kit by contacting your regional Canadian visa office or by downloading and printing one from the CIC website. You will need to include a written job offer from your prospective employer, proof that you can meet the job requirements, proof that you have paid the application fee and a copy of a positive labor market opinion from Human Resources and Development Canada with your application. It is the responsibility of your prospective employer to get the positive labor market opinion and send it to you. Once you have completed your application, collected your documents and paid your fee, submit the package to your regional Canadian visa office.
The processing fee for a work permit application is CA$150. This fee must be paid before you apply through your regional Canadian visa office. You can find a link to these offices in Resources.
Foreign workers in some jobs do not require work permits. These workers include athletes, artists, business people not directly entering the Canadian labor market, diplomats and clergy members. You can find a link to a full list of jobs for which work permits are not required in Resources.
