Every year, over 150,000 foreign workers enter Canada to work temporarily in jobs that help Canadian employers address skill shortages, or to work as live-in caregivers.

Some temporary workers require a work permit and some do not. For some categories of workers, permits are approved more quickly.

The requirements and processing times depend on the sort of work you will do when you come to Canada.

Jobs that do not require a work permit:

You may not need a work permit if you fall into one of the following categories:

• Athletes and coaches
• Aviation accident or incident investigators
• Business visitors
• Civil aviation inspectors
• Clergy
• Convention organizers
• Crew members
• Emergency service providers
• Examiners and evaluators
• Expert witnesses or investigators
• Family members of foreign representatives
• Foreign government officers
• Foreign representatives
• Health-care students
• Judges, referees and similar officials
• Military personnel
• News reporters, film and media crews
• Performing artists
• Public speakers
• Students working on campus

What you should know?

If you want to work in Canada, you must understand the following important information:

• Your employer helps determine if you are eligible. Your employer may need to get a labour market opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). A labour market opinion confirms that the employer can fill the job with a foreign worker.
• To work in Canada, you must meet the general requirements for entering the country and for staying there, in addition to those for getting a work permit. This means you may need a temporary resident visa.
• A work permit is not an immigration document. It does not allow you to live in Canada permanently. To live in Canada permanently, you must qualify under an immigration category, such as skilled worker. Live–in caregivers can stay in Canada permanently if they meet certain requirements.
• If you want your spouse or common–law partner and your dependent children to come with you to Canada, they must apply to do so.

If your family members want to work in Canada:

If you are authorized to work in Canada, your accompanying family members may also be able to work in Canada by virtue of the permit you have obtained yourself. No other authorisation is required. If they intend to work while in Canada, they should find out if they are eligible for an “open” work permit. Open work permits allow them to work in any job with any employer. Their work permits will be valid for the duration of your own work permit.