Bishop Immigration | Canadian Citizenship & Immigration Services
There are several agreements in addition to the NAFTA (now the CUSMA) that facilitate work permit issuance.
Professionals and Technicians from many countries may be eligible for work permits without having to go through the LMIA process:
This work permit category permits specialized knowledge workers and managers to transfer to Canada to work at a Canadian affiliate of their employer in their home country. Processing time can vary depending on the employee’s individual circumstances. For example, the employee’s nationality, country of residence, and admissibility to Canada.
We identify issues and establish a clear strategy from the outset, enabling employers to plan effectively and to staff important projects that will help your organization succeed. Employees feel welcomed to their new employment position in Canada and know that they are in expert hands.
Employers are often required to obtain a positive LMIA before a potential employee can apply for a work permit. This process often requires a labour market test, to justify hiring a foreign worker over a Canadian or Canadian permanent resident.
We have assisted with countless LMIA and subsequent work permit applications, and we know what will result in a successful outcome. If your organization is fortunate enough to benefit from eligibility under the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, we can assist with your Labour Market Benefits Plan and will guide you through this simplified process.
If an employee or individual needs to enter Canada for business, but will not enter the Canadian labour market, they should be able to enter as a business visitor. A work permit would not be required under these circumstances.
Common examples of business visitors include After-Sales or Emergency Service providers, and Intra-Company Trainers. Also included would be those eligible to enter Canada under the short term Global Skills Strategy work permit exemption.
Exploring potential business visitor options is often preferred when employees are entering Canada for a short duration on behalf of their foreign employer. Sometimes, a work permit requirement will be unavoidable. If business visitor entry is possible though, it is often the fastest and most cost effective approach for an employee to enter Canada.
You may think that a potential employee has little chance of being eligible for a work permit in Canada.
Perhaps they are younger, just starting their careers, and it would be hard to establish a labour market shortage justifying an LMIA. Or perhaps you would like to hire someone already in Canada, working with a different employer.
Normally, the first step in a foreign student’s journey in Canada is to be accepted into an eligible program of study. From there, there is a pathway that could end with a student eventually becoming a Canadian citizen. It is very rewarding work for us to help a student obtain a study permit and travel to Canada, to then help them transition to a post-graduate work permit, permanent resident status and finally, to Canadian citizenship.
Depending on citizenship, either a Temporary Resident Visa or an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) may be required to enter Canada, in addition to a work or study permit.
Super visas are also available to enable parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to remain in Canada for up to two years on initial entry.
Feel free to contact us with any questions, or to schedule a consultation.
