Immigration Lawyers for LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
This process involves applying directly for a Work Permit without the need of prior approval from Canada’s Department of Labour. The policy rationale for this broad program is that these particular workers meet broader economic, cultural or other competitive needs or provide reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents.
International Mobility Programs
Free Trade Agreements / Treaty Based Work Permits
Canada has signed treaties with numerous individual countries and blocs of countries:
The United States and Mexico (CUSMA), formerly called NAFTA, Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), Chile, Peru, Colombia, Korea, Panama.
Intra-Company Transfers: Office Transfers and Start-Ups
For intra-company transfers, the employee must have worked for the foreign entity for at least one year. The foreign entity can transfer to a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate company in Canada or even possibly a start-up Canadian entity. What is key is that the employee is transferring in the same role.
Work Permits for Those With Higher Skilled Job Offers With French Fluency
There is a special work permit available for those fluent in the French language who will be working outside of Quebec. They need not speak French at work but most be performing a skilled role.
A French test may not be necessary and the big advantage is that there is no requirement to get approval from the Department of Labour for this type of work permit.
Religious Workers
While some type of religious leaders may not need a work permit at all, some religious workers require a work permit and indeed, there may be advantages to securing a closed work permit (tied to a specific employer) so that additional points are awarded towards a Permanent Residence application.
Academics
Visiting professors, researchers and guest lecturers may be eligible for work permits.
Open Work Permits: International Experience Canada (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, International Co-Op Internships)
These work permits are available to those between 18 and 35 years from certain countries only. There are three categories of work permits: the Working Holiday (which provides for a an open work permit) and the Young Professionals and International Co-Op Internships which involve work permits tied to a specific employer. There are unique rules for each country so please contact us at [email protected] to learn more about the rules as they apply to you and also the chances of being selected.
Bridging Open Work Permit
These work permits are available for those who need to “bridge” the time between when their current work permit is set to expire and when they receive permanent residence status under Express Entry.
To be eligible, one must be in Canada with valid status and intend to live outside of Quebec, have a work permit receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) of one’s permanent residence application. Essentially, it’s a completes check by the officer.
Immigration Legal Services
We are a full-service immigration law firm with decades of experience and are able to navigate complex legal issues and avoid legal and practical problems before they arise.
