Work Permits

Work Permits and Labour Market Opinions

If you are a professional or a skilled tradesperson seeking to work in Canada, you will find that the easiest way to proceed is to find a Canadian employer first, before embarking on the work permit process. Working for a Canadian employer can be a rewarding experience and, in our experience, most temporary workers eventually apply for and obtain permanent residence in Canada through the various permanent residence immigration applications.
Most foreign nationals interested in working in Canada must be sponsored by a Canadian employer. The Canadian employer must obtain certification from Human Resources and Development Canada through a Labour Market Opinion (“LMO”) application. Following approval you can apply for a work permit at the Canadian Embassy in your home country or, if you qualify, at a Port of Entry in Canada.

Multinational Companies and Business Visitors

If you intend to work in Canada as an Intra-Company transferee or are conducting certain kinds of business or trade, you may not need a work permit. There are numerous work permit exemptions through the North American Free Trade Agreement, General Agreement on Trades and Services and other international agreements which allow you or your company to conduct business in Canada without the requirement of obtaining an HRSDC Opinion.

Low-Skilled Pilot Project and Agricultural Workers

If you intend to work in Canada as an Intra-Company transferee or are conducting certain kinds of business or trade, you may not need a work permit. There are numerous work permit exemptions through the North American Free Trade Agreement, General Agreement on Trades and Services and other international agreements which allow you or your company to conduct business in Canada without the requirement of obtaining an HRSDC Opinion.

For more information please contact our office for a confidential consultation with a lawyer.