Canada is one of the most developed countries in the world, with many opportunities for work and a good salary. Also, there are a lot of Canadian companies that sponsor foreign workers. 

As a result, it attracts many foreign workers who want to go there and find good jobs. The Government of Canada has anticipated this, so they have designed the work visas.

However, if you want to work in Canada, you must have a Canadian work permit to help you find an employer or sign a work contract. 

Moreover, a work permit is a document for which you must apply when applying for a visa to Canada. 

Meanwhile, the application is made simultaneously, and the Consular Office will treat your visa application as a work permit application.

Furthermore, you can get a Canadian work permit through Temporary Work Visas or Permanent or Immigrant Work Visas.

Therefore, if you want to learn more about what it takes to work in Canada and the list of Canadian companies that sponsor foreign workers, this article will highlight that in detail. 

But first, let’s get to know the terminology of words.

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Table of contents

Who is a Foreign Worker?

A foreign worker has been one of the essential features of Canada’s labor market landscape for decades. 

A foreign worker is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident employed in Canada by a company or organization.

In essence, foreign workers are foreign nationals engaged in work activities in Canada and are authorized to enter and remain in Canada for a limited period with the appropriate documentation. 

However, in Canada, foreign workers are grouped into two overarching temporary labor migration programs, which are: 

  • The temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
  • The Permanent or Immigrant Worker Program

What Type of Visa is for Foreign workers?

In Canada. there are different kinds of work permits for foreign workers. 

As such, if you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you need a work permit to work legally in Canada.

More so, you need to apply for a work permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a Canadian visa office before you come to Canada.

However, you can get;

  • Temporary work visa
  • Open Work Permit
  • Working Holiday Visa
  • Post Graduate Work Permit

1. Temporary Work VISA

A Temporary Work Visa for Canada combines a Temporary Resident Visa and a Work Permit. 

Moreover, with a temporary work permit, you can stay in Canada for six months or less, work in the job you have already found, or look for a job.

However, after the Canadian work visa expires, you can either apply to have it renewed or return to your home country.

Meanwhile, the maximum time you can work temporarily in Canada with all extensions is four years. 

However, that is not applicable for each case and may depend on your country and your visa type.

In addition, you cannot stay and work in Canada after your visa expires because you will put yourself at risk for deportation, which may not allow you to get a Canada visa again.

2. Open Work Permit

The Open Work Permit is given to foreign workers going to Canada with a job offer and allows them to switch employers. 

However, this is different from the other work permits/visas as it is not employer specific. 

As this allows you to change employers in Canada, other work permits/visas do not allow you to do so.

3. Working Holiday VISA

The Working Holiday Visa is granted to young people from 30 countries working in Canada and traveling. 

However, this visa is granted through a random selection visa that applicants will have to submit their applications and wait to be randomly selected to apply for the work permit.

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4. Post Graduate Work Permit

The Post Graduate Work Permit is given to foreign students who have completed a degree from a Canadian educational institution and want to stay in Canada longer through working.

What is LMIA? 

LMIA means “Labour Market Impact Assessment”.

This is a document that an employer in Canada needs to get before hiring a foreign worker.

However, an LMIA will show a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and also show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job. 

Requirements to Work in Canada as a Foreign Worker? 

To work in Canada, there are specific requirements you need to meet depending on where you apply for your work permit.

However, no matter where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, if you are applying from outside of Canada, you must be able to: 

  • Prove to an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires;
  • Show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home;
  • Obey the law and have no record of criminal activity, and probably provide a police clearance certificate
  • Not be a danger to Canada’s security;
  • Be in good health and have a medical exam
  • Not plan to work for an employer who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages; and
  • Give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

If you are applying from inside Canada, you must: 

  • Have a valid study or work permit;
  • Ensure that your spouse, common-law partner, or parents have a valid study or work permit;
  • Ensure that you’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit and that your study permit is still valid;
  • Make sure that your temporary resident permit is good for at least six months.
  • Make sure you’re in Canada while you wait for a decision on an application for permanent residence.;
  • Ensure that you claimed refugee protection;
  • Make sure that the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has recognized you as a convention refugee or a person who is safe.
  • Ensure that you’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit, but you need a work permit to work in a different job or
  • Be you’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee, or professional under the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

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How to Get a Work Permit in Canada

The Canadian work permit application process varies depending on how and where you apply. 

However, if you apply for a work permit from outside Canada, you can use either a paper or online application.

Meanwhile, it is easier and quicker to complete your application online. Also, applicants already in Canada must apply online.

Below are the steps to take to get a work visa in Canada.

1. Gather Necessary Supporting Documents

If you are applying from outside Canada, you may need to use the Document Checklist (IMM 5488) to gather the supporting documents required for your work permit application. 

Meanwhile, these documents may vary based on the country you apply from, so check the requirements that apply to you.

Also, you may need to submit supporting documents for your proof of identity.

  • Proof of employment in Canada,
  • Proof of relationship with accompanying family members,
  • Educational credentials,
  • Past employment records, and
  • Proof of funds. 

2. Fill in Your Work Permit Application

You’ll need to fill out the Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295), the document checklist, information about your family, and the use of a representative, if applicable.

Meanwhile, you’ll need to create an IRCC account and fill in the forms digitally if you apply from outside Canada. 

3. Pay the Fees

Based on the work permit you’re applying for, and whether you’re required to give your biometrics, you can make the payment online using a valid email address and a debit or credit card. 

However, you must remember to print copies of your receipt and attach them to your application.

4. Submit the Application

If you apply online, you must submit your application directly through your IRCC account.

However, If you opt for a paper application, you need to send your printed application and the payment receipt to a Visa Application Center (VAC) that serves your area.

5. Wait for Your Application To Be Processed

The IRCC will check your application to ensure it’s complete and confirm your eligibility for a work permit.

In addition, you may be asked to provide additional information to support your application.

appear for an interview with Canadian immigration officials in your country, or take a medical, test.

10 Best Canadian Companies That Sponsor Foreign Workers

Several big Canadian companies sponsor foreign workers as it allows companies to access specialized skills and talent not available in Canada.

This will also help the organization to provide workers with the opportunity to improve their lives.

Sponsoring foreign workers can be complicated and costly and must be done in coordination with the Canadian government.

Here are some Canadian companies that sponsor foreign workers: 

1. University of Alberta

The university’s science and engineering department hired 23 international students under the International Student Programmes (ISP) and International Research Internship Scheme (IRIS) in 2018. 

However, the institution keeps on recruiting each year.

2. Air Canada

Air Canada sponsored foreign workers to fill positions in its operations, including engineering, customer service, accounting, and sales. 

Meanwhile, the airline has been sponsoring foreign workers for over 25 years and placed more than 1,000 workers with various Canadian companies.

3. University of Alberta Research Foundation

The University of Alberta Research Foundation is one of the Canadian companies that sponsor foreign workers.

It hires international students for its research center and faculty to work as scientists or researchers under its sponsorship program.

Also, it hired 26 international employees across various departments in 2018.

4. The Toronto Catholic District School Board

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is also one of the Canadian companies that sponsor foreign workers.

It has a program for foreign workers that helps students with special needs access employment in Ontario’s education system. 

More so, it sponsored 38 foreign workers through its TalentLink program and placed them at various companies under its umbrella.

Most of the companies that use it include Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) 2018.

5. Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ)

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) also sponsors foreign workers to work in its financial services sector.

However, the bank places employees as investment bankers and portfolio managers and sponsors 61 foreign workers through its Talent Link program in 2018

6. CGI Group Inc.

The CGI Group Inc. has been sponsoring foreign workers for over 25 years.

However, the organization has placed approximately 250 foreign professionals in positions across its Humber College campus every year.

In addition, the IT services company sponsors foreign workers to work at other CGI Group facilities across Canada.

7. Toronto Catholic District School Board

The Toronto Catholic District School Board sponsored 11 foreign workers through its talent link program.

However, this helps them to place their employers in companies under its umbrella.

Most of the companies include Ontario Power Generation, Tejinder Singh and John Evans (THEW) Limited Partnership, Markham Stouffville Hospital, and the Royal Ontario Museum.

8. Manulife Financial

In 2018, Manulife sponsored 62 foreign workers through its Talent Link program.

However, this helps them to place their employers in companies under its umbrella including Intact Financial Corp., Power Corporation of Canada, Goldcorp Inc., and FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.

9. Tourism Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s tourism sector is one of the Canadian companies that sponsor foreign workers to work in the province by providing jobs with their provincial development agency Heritage Trust Fund.

However, in 2018, Tourism Nova Scotia sponsored the work of 12 international workers through the program.

10. Metrolinx

The Metrolinx transportation authority also has a sponsorship program for foreign workers. 

It sponsored 22 foreign workers through its TalentLink program.

This has also helped them in placing employees at companies including GO Transit, the Toronto Transit Commission, and Bombardier Transportation Inc.

How to Get The Sponsored VISA Faster

The time it takes to process an application varies, depending on where you applied and your situation. 

However, to avoid delay in your Canadian-sponsored VISA, you must: 

  • Include all the information needed in your application.
  • Make sure the photocopies and documents you submitted are clear
  • Provide certified English or French translations of original documents that you submit in other languages
  • Tell the truth on your application

Meanwhile, your visa may be delayed, if:

  • You do not talk of any criminal or security problems related to it
  • Your family situation is unclear because of issues such as divorce, or an incomplete adoption

More so, the office has to consult with other offices in Canada or abroad.

Do I Need a Job Before I Immigrate to Canada?

You necessarily do not need a job before you can migrate to Canada. 

However, immigrants contribute to the economy and create jobs for Canadians.

Also, the strength of Canada’s economy is partly measured by the number of people working and paying taxes to fund public services, such as health care.

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Conclusion

As foreign workers are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents and are employed in Canada by a company or organization.

Big companies in Canada sponsor foreign workers visas to Canada and help in the improvement of their productivity. 

However, Canadian companies that sponsor foreign workers have to obtain LMIA.

This can be done if it is evident that there are not enough hands on the ground to work and show the need to bring in foreign workers. 

More so, you can get any type of Canadian work visa like a temporary work permit, open work permit, post-graduate permit, and working holiday visa. 

We hope this blog post on Canadian Companies that sponsor foreign workers is beneficial to you and answer all your questions.

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