General Provisions for Temporary Workers
What do I need to work in Canada temporarily?
--- A valid employment authorization
Who may apply? --- Non-Canadian citizens
and non-permanent residents
How do I apply? --- In general, applications
for entry into Canada should be made several months in advance
at a Canadian embassy or consulate. Citizens of the U.S., Greenland
or St. Pierre de Miquelon may complete their applications at a
port of entry (documentation is required).
What do I need? --- Citizenship and Immigration
Canada (CIC) requires proof of a job offer that is temporary in
nature. Applicants must also provide evidence of their job skills/qualifications
and may be required to satisfy specific medical and security requirements.
In addition, the Canadian employer, in collaboration with Human
Resources Development Canada (HRDC) will need to conduct a job
validation (i.e. a labour market analysis to determine the economic
impact of hiring non-domestically). Once the job validation process
is complete, the applicant is eligible to apply for an employment
authorization.
Note: Not all cases will require a job
validation. In addition, employers who wish to hire several foreign
workers can collaborate with HRDC and CIC to set up a firm specific
agreement or a sectoral agreement under one set of negotiations.
How do I work in Quebec? --- Quebec workers
must obtain a "Certificat d'acceptation du Quebec" prior
to applying for an employment authorization.
Can I apply for an authorization on my visit
to Canada? --- Visitors to Canada cannot apply for employment
authorizations.
How long is the employment authorization good
for? --- It will depend on the specific terms and conditions
of the authorization.
For detailed information, visit www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index-work.htm.
Special Programs
GATS-(General Agreement on Trade and Services)-Since
1995, more than 120 member countries have participated in individual
agreements to facilitate access to their labour force. GATS applies
to business visitors, inter-company transferees and certain categories
of professionals (specific conditions exist). To determine if
you qualify for temporary entry into Canada under GATS, you must
belong to one of the aforementioned three categories, meet specified
criteria for citizenship, work in one of eight service sectors
and abide by the provisions of the Immigration Act and Regulations.
Some advantages of entering the country under GATS include its
speed and relative ease (job validations are not required). In
addition, employment authorizations are not required for business
visitors. For more information, contact a Canadian consulate or
embassy, a Canadian port of entry, a local Canadian immigration
office or visit the website
www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/gats_e.html.
NAFTA-North American Free Trade Agreement - This agreement
facilitates temporary entry into Canada for Mexican and American
citizens (with certain exceptions) for the purpose of trade, service
or investment. Four general requirements must be satisfied in
order to enter Canada under NAFTA. These include proof of citizenship,
temporary nature of entry, qualification in one of four business
categories (business visitor, professional, inter-company transferee
or trader/investor) and fulfillment of immigration requirements
for temporary entry into Canada. The main advantages of entry
under the NAFTA it is relatively quick and easy. For detailed
information visit the website www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/nafta02e.html.
Entry to Canada under the Canada-Chile Free Trade
Agreement -In effect since July 1997, this agreement pertains
solely to citizens of Canada and Chile and covers the trade of
goods and services and investment. Entry must be temporary in
nature and applicants must belong to one of four categories (business
visitor, professional, inter-company transferee and trader/investor).
For further details including specific guidelines visit the website
www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/chile_e.html.
Facilitated Processing for Information Technology
Workers - Operations Memorandum FW 99-03
In 1997, a pilot project was implemented to assist
Canadian employers in gaining access to foreign software industry
professionals. To facilitate their entry into Canada, a national
job validation letter was created which eliminated the need for
specific job validations. Currently, the pilot project is in the
process of being replaced by a new Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
However, until such time as the new program is complete, the provisions
detailed in Operations Memorandum FW 99-03 must be adhered to.
Directed at the high tech industry, Operations Memorandum FW 99-03
is based on this sector's record growth and corresponding demand
for competent labour. The memo, which pertains exclusively to
certain occupations, details a list of generic job descriptions
which are considered to have been nationally validated by HRDC.
Therefore, individuals with job offers that match these descriptions
will be permitted to obtain their employment authorizations while
forgoing the job validation process. For more specific information
on Operations Memorandum FW-99-03 and to view a list of generic
job descriptions visit the website www.cic.gc.ca/manuals-guides/english/om-web/1999/fw/fw99-03e.html
Becoming a Canadian Citizen- Complete details on
immigrating to Canada and how to become a Canadian citizen can
be found on the website www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigr/index2.html
or by phoning a call centre.
Call Centres:
Montreal-514-496-1010
Toronto-416-973-4444
Vancouver-604-666-2171
For all other areas within Canada, call 1-888-242-2100.
If you are calling from outside of Canada, contact the Canadian
Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
To obtain the address of a Citizenship office, please
phone a call centre.
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