Resident Visas - Temporary Visas
Email this pageAnother objective of the Immigration Act is to facilitate the entry of visitors into Canada for the purpose of fostering trade and commerce, tourism, cultural and scientific activities and international understanding.
Working Temporarily in Canada
In most cases, applicants seeking to work in Canada on a temporary basis must have a valid work permit.
Before applying for a work permit, an applicant must first have an offer of employment. In some instances, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) must provide a so called "confirmation" of the job offer.
Pursuant to immigration legislation, and/or international treaties that Canada entered into, temporary workers can also be admitted pursuant to:
1. Intra-company transfers
2. NAFTA Employment authorizations (for those seeking entry into Canada)
3. GATS employment authorizations (Member Countries)
4. "Significant benefits to Canada" provisions
There are also special programs to facilitate the application process for work permits in industries with a heightened need for skilled workers, the main one being the Pilot Project for Information Technology Workers.
Facilitated Processing for Information Technology Workers
This program for temporary employment in Canada was designed to fill critical shortages in the software industry by providing a streamlined process for the entry of those workers whose skills are in high demand.
To qualify for the expedited process, the job must fit within one of seven software occupations. The foreign national must demonstrate that he/she possesses the educational background, skills, and language abilities required and that he/she has a job offer meeting certain prescribed criteria.
Spousal Program
Through the Spousal Program, spouses may qualify for a work permit without the need for a job confirmation from HRDC.
There are two requirements to be met before a spouse may apply for such a work permit. First, the principal applicant must be authorized to work in Canada for six months or longer. Secondly, the principal applicant’s work must meet a minimum skill level.
Once these two categories have been met, the spouse of the principal applicant may apply for a work permit. This permit is “open” and will allow access to any job subject to certain medical requirements.
The spouse's work permit is valid for the length of the principal applicant’s permit.
Other services provided by Blaney McMurtry
- Offshore immigration trusts
- Family business applications
- Humanitarian and compassionate applications
- Student visas
- Applications for Domestic Help
