Immigration FAQ

Employer-specific work permit

• For employees with service contracts
• Permits work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as:
• Specific employer you can work for.
• How long you can work.
• The location where you can work (if applicable).

Open Work permit

• For intra-company transferees

Business Traveler Visa (time can vary from duration of visit or no more than 6 months)

Time varies depending on the location you are traveling from. IRCC website has current processing times for all varieties of applications. Click here to learn more.

Document collection can take 1-3 weeks depending on the availability of items and translation requirements.

• Pre-arrival: 4 weeks
• Post-arrival: processed immediately at point of entry

Intra-company transferee – work permit:

• Specialized knowledge worker – 3 years
• Manager or executive – 5 years
• Ability to expand by 2 years for each respective role.

All may be renewed.

• Once the Work Permit is issued at the Border, employees can start working immediately.
• If Change of Employer or Position is requested, the employee cannot work until correspondence from Service Canada/IRCC has approved and sent notice.

Yes, there is a quota cap at the Land Borders that can be reached on a daily basis. It is often met within a few hours and applicants can be turned away. Border agents can also refuse to process applications at Land Borders at their discretion or due to high volume.

If applicants have traveled to Canada within the last 10 years, or hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa, they will be screened for expedited processing.

The requirements for Permanent Residency differ based on Province. There is now a language component and a length of work in Canada requirement. More up to date information can be ascertained with a formal immigration assessment.

• Passport
• Employment contract
• Birth certificates of children
• Marriage certificates or evidence of domestic partnerships
• Updated CV
• Education Documents

Yes, if they are not in English or French.

You should apply for your work permit before you travel to Canada. There are alternative options as well listed below.

Eligibility requirements when applying outside of Canada:

• There may be visa office requirements depending on what country or territory you are applying from.

Eligibility requirements when applying from inside Canada:

• Can apply from within if:
• You have a valid study or work permit.
• Your spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study or work permit.
• You are eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid.
• You have a temporary residence permit that is valid for six months or more.
• You are waiting on a decision on an application for permanent residence from inside Canada.
• You made a claim for refugee protection.
• You’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit, but you need a work permit to work in a different job; or
• You are a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Yes.

• Articles of incorporation
• Support letter
• Corporate financial statements/tax returns
• Organizational chart (if manager)
• Evidence of assignment

The process of renewal should be initiated 6 months prior to the expiration date to maintain compliance.

Spouses and partners are recognized as dependents with full access to employment in Canada, regardless of sexual orientation. Family members other than spouses and partners also have direct access to employment. Under new regulation, some Study Permits have gained the right to work but will require a change in permit to be done.

None are required.

CUSMA and NAFTA Work Permit Application 

• U.S. or Mexican citizenship is required.
• Must be a NAFTA qualified job position.
• Salary thresholds enforced.
• Medical exam possible.
• Failure to disclose previous criminal history could negatively impact application.
• All documentation must be presented in English or French or with a certified translation.

ICT (Intra-Company Transfer) Work Permit Application

• Specialized knowledge or managerial/executive position is required.
• Required 1-year employment with sending company in the last 3 years.
• All documentation must be presented in English or French or with a certified translation.

The processing times for employees from certain countries can prove to be difficult when working in a short time frame.