Work Visas to Canada are usually provided to applicants upon receiving a particular employment contract or offer from a Canadian organization/employer and are accompanied by a variety of restrictions and rules.
In order to show that there is no eligible Canadian citizen or permanent immigrant to take up the vacant position, the organization/employer may be required to acquire a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
You can proceed with the application process when the employment contract and LMIA have been put in place. The type of employment and circumstances surrounding the person will determine the particular visa type and criteria. Among the most common employment visa, types are the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP), International Mobility Programme (IMP), and Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNPs).
Types of Canadian Work Visas
There are different types of Canadian Work Visas available to those looking to work in Canada. You should apply for the one that is most suitable to your circumstances. If you are unclear, reach out to IAS to see which of the following applies to your situation.
International Mobility Programme (IMP)
The International Mobility Programme enables Canadian organizations/employers to hire foreign workers on a Canada Work Permit without having to apply for an LMIA.
Employment offers through the IMP have to be done through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (RCC)’s Employer Portal because the IRCC operates the International Mobility Programme unit exclusively for organizations wishing to hire via the programme.
Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP)
The TFWP permits Canadian organizations to engage temporary foreign employees for specific employment opportunities. The TFWP sometimes demands an LMIA, which proves that there is a demand for foreign employees and also that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident can be recruited to fill the vacant position.
Working Holiday Visa
Canada has partnerships with different countries that allow young people to reside and work in Canada for a short period, normally between one and two years. These programmes, such as International Experience Canada (IEC), grant Work Permits to young individuals seeking work experience abroad. However, many of these schemes do not permit Nigerian nationals to qualify. Reach out to IAS for more eligibility information.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Post-graduation Work Permits are available to foreign students who have finished an academic programme of study at a recognized Canadian college or university.
Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNPs)
Each province and territory in Canada has its recruitment programme, they can use these programmes to choose foreign employees for permanent residency due to their abilities, professional expertise, and job opportunities within the province.
Open Work Permits
These are non-job-specific permits which enable workers to seek employment with any organization in Canada.
Our experts will navigate the paperwork, ensuring your application is complete, accurate, and submitted on time
Eligibility Criteria for a Canadian Work Visa
To be eligible for a Canadian Work Visa, you must meet certain criteria. While the requirements may vary depending on the specific type of visa you are applying for, here are some general eligibility criteria:
- Have a valid travel passport.
- Hold a job offer from a Canadian organization.
- Be able to demonstrate language proficiency in either English or French.
- Have sufficient funds to show you can support yourself during the first year in Canada
- Have a clean criminal record
Fees and Costs Associated with UK Tourist Visa
Here is a breakdown of all the fees and fees associated with obtaining a UK Tourist Visa:
Visa Application Fee:
- Standard Visitor Visa: £100 (maximum stay 6 months)
- Visitor Visa for medical reasons: £200 (maximum stay 11 months)
- Visitor Visa for study purposes: £200 (maximum stay 12 months)
- Visitor Visa for academics: £200 (maximum stay 12 months)
- Visitor visa for business purposes: £100 (maximum stay 6 months)
- Long-term Standard Visitor Visa 2 years: £376 (maximum stay 6 months per visit)
- Long-term Standard Visitor Visa 5 years: £670 (maximum stay 6 months per visit)
- Long-term Standard Visitor Visa 10 years: £837 (maximum stay 6 months per visit)
Biometric Enrolment Fee:
- £19.20 which covers the cost of providing your biometric information at a VAC.
Immigration Health Surcharge (only if applicable, read below):
- The IHS fee is £1,035 per person.
- For standard visitors, the IHS is not applicable unless you are applying for a visitor visa of over 6 months. If you’re applying for a long-term visitor visa, the IHS fee will be added to your application.
Optional Premium Processing Services:
- Priority Visa Service: £500
- Super Priority Visa Service: £800
VAC Service Fee:
- 25,050 Naira covers the cost of using the VAC
Document Translation and Certification:
- All documents must be translated into either English or Welsh to submit to the UK. This will incur a cost for a verified translator.
Allow our team of legal experts to help you with the process of a Canada Work Visa application.
How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada
Applying for a Work Permit can be a lengthy process and there are a number of steps involved. Once you have secured a job offer and confirmed your eligibility you can start the process of being granted a permit.
You must ensure that your job role meets the requirements. In most situations, the Canadian organization/employer will be required by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to acquire an LMIA. The LMIA confirms that no eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents are needed to take on the employment opening.
Ensuring you have the correct documentation in place before applying is a key requirement and failing to submit the correct documents could lead to a refusal.
You will also need to arrange for a medical exam and a criminal background check. As a Nigerian who plans to work in Canada, you need to undergo a medical checkup performed by a licensed doctor. You might also be required to present police clearance documents as proof of your good moral character and prove you have no criminal record.
You can apply for your Canada work permit online at the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or in person at the Canadian Visa Application Centre in Lagos or Abuja.
At the time of application, you will also be required to pay the correct application fee. The cost of applying for a work visa in Canada varies depending on the type of Work Visa you are applying for. However, for the majority, the standard application fee is CAD 155.
Providing accurate information and complete documents is important for a successful application. We offer a document-checking service to ensure that your documents are well-organized and up-to-date.
Required Documents for a Canada Work Visa
Before you proceed and do the application you will need the following to prove your eligibility:
- Valid passport: Provide a valid passport or travel certificate. Check that your passport has been renewed for the length of your planned travel in Canada.
- Job offer letter: Submit a formal job offer from the Canadian organization stating the specifics of your job, such as the title of the position, responsibilities, length of work, and remuneration.
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): In some situations, your employer may be required by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to acquire an LMIA to show that there is an actual need to engage foreign employees for the vacant position. This has already been discussed in detail above.
- Submit documents that show your academic achievements, such as diplomas, degrees, certifications, or transcripts, as evidence of your achievements. These must come from reputable institutions.
- Provide documentation showing your related professional expertise, like letters of recommendation from prior bosses, contracts of hire, or salary slips.
- Language competency: Prove language proficiency by providing test scores like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) to verify your fluency in English or French.
- Medical report: Provide a medical report to show that you are in good health.
- Criminal clearance certificate: Present proof of police clearance to show that you do not have a criminal record.
- Evidence of financial support: Prove that you have enough money to sustain yourself and any relatives who are staying with you while in Canada. This can contain financial records, contracts of employment, or scholarship documentation.
Canada Work Visa Processing Time
The processing time for a Canada Work Visa can vary depending on several factors, including the type of visa and the workload of Canadian immigration officials.
It is estimated the time taken for a Canada Work Visa to be approved from Nigeria is 20 weeks. However, this time frame may fluctuate due to various factors such as the volume of applications, changes in immigration policies, or other unforeseen circumstances.
During the processing period, immigration officials will carefully review your documents to ensure that you are eligible and your application meets the requirements.
It is important to submit your application well in advance to account for potential processing delays. Proper planning and preparation can help ensure a smooth visa application process and minimize any potential disruptions to your travel plans.
How to Extend Your Canada Work Visa
You can extend your Work Visa Canada if you meet the eligibility requirements. The specific criteria for a work visa extension depend on the type of visa you currently hold and the purpose of the extension.
To apply for a work visa extension, you generally need to fulfil the following requirements:
- Validity of current work permit: Your current work permit must still be valid at the time of application for an extension.
- Continued employment: You must still be employed by the same Canadian employer who sponsored your initial work permit.
- Reason for extension: You must have a valid reason for needing an extension, such as the need for additional time to complete a project, waiting for the processing of a permanent residence application, or the inability to secure suitable employment in your home country.
The application process for a work visa extension involves submitting a completed application form, a copy of your current work permit, and any additional supporting documents as required. You can apply for an extension online or by mail.
The processing time for a work visa extension can vary depending on the workload of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Typically, it takes a few weeks to process an extension application.
If your work visa extension application is approved, you will be issued a new work permit with an extended expiry date.
Below are important points to consider when applying for a Work Visa extension:
- Apply before your current work permit expires, as you cannot work in Canada without a valid permit.
- Provide additional information or documentation to support your extension application.