Canada work visas are issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The TFWP is intended to help Canadian employers recruit foreign workers in response to labour market shortages.

TFWP is made up of four streams: high-skilled workers, low-skilled workers, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, and the Live-In Caregiver Program.

Foreign workers must have an approved job offer and a work permit before arriving in Canada under the TFWP.

IRCC works with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure foreign workers do not take jobs for which Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available. Canadian employers intending to hire a foreign worker must obtain prior approval.  This is done by applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

In some cases, foreign workers may qualify to work in Canada without an LMIA under various programs, such as the International Mobility Program.

Immigration.ca, in conjunction with our in-house recruitment enterprise SkilledWorker, frequently helps employers and job seekers in the recruitment process and in securing favourable LMIAs and applying for Canada work permits and related Canada visas.

Candidates who have a job offer in Canada and are ready to apply for a work permit should complete the following questionnaire for a free assessment.

Important Temporary Foreign Worker Program Information:

• How to Get a Canada Work Permit For a Caregiver
• Some Families Hiring Caregivers Exempt From $1,000 LMIA Fee
• Quebec Launches New Global Talent Stream
• Global Talent Stream
• How to Access Short-Term Canada Work Permit Exemptions Under Global Skills Strategy
• How to Apply for a Canadian Temporary Work Permit
• Open Work permit in Canada
• Where to Apply for a Canadian Temporary Work Permit
• Permanent Residence Applicants apply for Open Work Permits in Canada
• How to apply for an LMIA for work in Quebec
• Extending or Changing a Canadian Temporary Work Permit
• Extension and Renewal of Work Permits in Quebec
• How CIC Assesses Temporary Foreign Worker Applications
• Jobs That Are Exempt from the LMIA Requirement
• Jobs That Do Not Require a Work Permit in Canada
• Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in Canada
• Language Requirements for Temporary Foreign Worker Applicants
• Canadian LMIAs for low Skill Occupations
• Required Documents for Canadian Temporary Work Permit
• Business Visitor do not require Work permit in Canada
• Foreign Nationals with No Other Means of Support
• Foreign Representatives and Their Family Members Without Work Permit in Canada
• Foreign Workers and Strike Situations
• Grounds for Inadmissibility Work in Canada
• Process of hiring a foreign worker

Options for Family Members to Work in Canada

A TFWP Canada work permit holder’s family may come with them to Canada.

All family members must complete their own application forms, but they can be submitted together.

If a family member wants to work in Canada, they will need their own Canada work permit.

In certain cases, spouses or common-law partners are eligible for an open work permit. If a temporary foreign worker’s children would like to study in Canada, they need a study permit.

An open work permit allows the holder to work in any job with any employer with limited exceptions. An open work permit also means the holder’s employer does not need an LMIA.

A spouse’s eligibility for an open work permit depends on the skill level of the temporary foreign worker’s job.

A high-skilled foreign worker’s spouse could be eligible for an open work permit, provided the foreign worker is authorized to work in Canada for at least six months.

A low-skilled worker’s spouse will only be eligible for an open work permit through an active pilot project.

Dependent children are only eligible for an open work permit through an active pilot project.

For information on work permit conditions, validity and duration, click here.

Canadian employers wishing to hire a temporary foreign worker, or candidates who have been offered a job by a Canadian employer should complete our Free Online Evaluation for an assessment of your needs.