What is a Temporary Work Permit?

Categories: Temporary Work Permit 

A Temporary Work Permit allows foreign workers to take a job in Alberta and Canada on a temporary basis. In almost all cases, you must have a job offer in Canada before you can apply for a Temporary Work Permit. Foreign workers who want to take a job in Alberta will need a Temporary Work Permit.

Visitors can work in Canada if they get permission from a Canadian visa office in their own country before entering.

The Temporary Work Permit is tied to the job for which you were confirmed and is only valid for a limited time: usually multiples of 6 months. This means that you cannot work for another employer without having your Temporary Work Permit updated or amended.

How do I apply for a Temporary Work Permit?

  1. You must be offered a job by an employer in Canada. The employer must ask Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) for permission in order to hire a foreign worker. These requests are submitted to local HRSDC offices in Alberta.
  2. The job offer will be examined by HRSDC. They will consider if it is actually necessary to hire you from abroad or if the job could more easily be filled from the local labour market. This is called providing a labour market opinion. In Alberta, this is frequently positive because there are not enough local workers. A positive outcome is called a confirmation.
  3. Once your job officer is confirmed, HRSDC will notify your local Canadian visa office You can then apply to for a Temporary Work Permit.
    Thanks to recent federal-provincial government agreements, Alberta employers can now get HRSDC confirmation more quickly than ever before.

If you are applying for the live-in caregiver program, you can start your job search by registering to find work as an au pair or nanny in Canada: Au Pair and Nanny job search registration.

 

How much does it cost?

The application for a Temporary Work Permit (and a Temporary Resident Permit) is CAD $75 for a single entry, and CAD $150 for a multiple entry permit.

How long does it take?

The current processing time for Temporary Work Permits ranges from 2 to 30 working days, depending on the visa office you apply to.

Where can I find more information?

You can get more information, including application forms and instruction kits at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) under Working Temporarily in Canada.

This article originally appeared on our p

22 Responses on “What is a Temporary Work Permit?”

  1. Jeff Scott on May 30th, 2008

    I was wondering if you can help me out. I am a born and bread Canadian working in calgary at a new cabinet shop. the previous place i worked hired some German red seal cabinet makers with promises and offers of more money after three months. they have recieved nothing and are being treated not very well. they speak engilsh very well and i have job opening in my new shop. they are scared to leave for fear of deportation. what can i do..

    Thank you for your time

    Jeff Scott

  2. admin on June 5th, 2008

    Hi Jeff,

    At the risk of giving a bit of a non-answer, it may be best to speak directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada to get the offical line: Contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

    Anecdotally, it is possible to switch employment, as long as you meet the normal Work Permit sponsorship requirement.s

    If your friends are concerned about a legal issue like deportation, or have legal concerns about their employment agreement, it may be best to seek legal concil from someone who specializes in employment or immigration law. Here’s how to find a lawer in Alberta. It’s saddening that some employers take advantage of newcomers to Alberta. Good luck to you and your friends.

  3. Katrina Archer on June 18th, 2008

    I am a Canadian living in Calgary, and my fiance is from the USA. He wants to eventually have a permanent residency in Canada, but does not qualify for a skilled worker visa because he has been a student (in fine arts) up until now, and doesn’t meet the requirements for employment background. I am wondering if he could apply for a temporary work permit until he is eligible to be a skilled worker, and then if he could apply as a skilled worker while still in the country on a temporary work permit. Or if he could apply for a temporary work permit until we can be married and then apply for permanent residency while still in the country. We’re trying to limit the amount of time we have to spend in seperate countries, and any advice would be much appreciated!

    Thanks for your time

    Katrina Archer

  4. admin on June 21st, 2008

    Hi Katrina. For legal advice, please contact CIC directly or an immigration lawyer, or a CSIC registered immigration consultant. It is certainly possible to switch to a permanent visa class from a temporary one while in Canada.

  5. Keith Bertin on June 29th, 2008

    Can a Temporary Foreign Worker in the low-class classification take on two jobs, meaning have 2 work permits to supplement their low wages to survive in Alberta?

    Any advice would be appreciated, Thank-you

  6. John Kweb on July 4th, 2008

    Hi,

    I am a refugee claimant here in Canada but I am doubtful that my request will be granted. Can I go to Edmonton Alberta to get a work permit that allows you to be a PR in two years?

    Jon

  7. Richard Sawyers on July 12th, 2008

    Hey,

    I’m a recent graduate from the UK in geomatics (land surveying, GIS, GPS, cartography etc) but I lack the years work experience to apply for a skilled worker visa. Could I apply for a temporary work visa instead, or do the same rules apply?

    Thanks

  8. Richard Sawyers on July 12th, 2008

    I forgot to mention I have lived in Ontario for a year on a travel/work visa, although i have since moved back to the UK. Just incase that effects anything

  9. Herman Swanson on July 25th, 2008

    Apparently a 2-3 year work permit doesn’t entitle one (or one’s family) to Medicare benefits. This means that one has to obtain private insurance to meet these needs and then pay the doctor/hospital in cash. Is that correct? Does a 2-3 year work permit entitle one to obtain an Alberta driver’s license? Does it enable a person to open a checking account at a Canadian bank?

  10. SAID K on August 19th, 2008

    Can a Temporary Foreign Worker in the low-class classification apply for PR. Been workin in alberta for about 11 months and recently moved to a new job, and got work permit for another 2 years, if yes plz do let me know the procedure to go about it .

    thank u

  11. lucy on August 24th, 2008

    hello.
    i got a job i canada and the employer is applying for me for a temporary skilled visa, well my question is, what processing time does it take and when its granted and they make approved decision,what is next step do i send them my passport to put visa stamp or i will have to go to embassy??
    reply would be appreciated. thx

  12. maria cruz on September 4th, 2008

    I am a foreign worker here in canada. I have read that there is a new immigration category (canadian experience class). i want to know where i could go to obtain application forms.
    thanks

  13. Ricky Esquivel on September 5th, 2008

    I have been approved for a work permit. I am in Calgary, AB. Where do I go to pay the fee and receive the permit- Is there an office downtown Calgary?

  14. Natarajan kumaravel on October 31st, 2008

    I am working as Instrument Technician in Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., India, I am interested to work in Alberta. I requested for guideline from any friends.

  15. ritesh nadan on January 5th, 2009

    im working in a company for a one year contract and now they are axtending it one more.i want to live in alberta for good how and when can i apply for a PR.my close families r here cn they do anything for me?

  16. catherine on January 13th, 2009

    hi iam a filipina and work here in reddeer as live in caregiver. i came here having single entry visa which is valid until dec 2008. if i will go home in the philippines by 2010 can i get re entry visa again and how long is the processing time to get re entry visa?

  17. K.MAHANAND JUDA on January 20th, 2009

    HI,
    I AM LIVING IN INDIA I WANT TO WORK UNDER PILOT PROJECT WHICH IS IN ALBERTA,
    CAN YOU HELP ME IF ANY COMPANY IS SPONSORING THESE JOBS UNDER E.L.MO.
    REGARDS.
    JUDA.

  18. Esperanza Rufino on February 9th, 2009

    Greetings!
    I just want to inquire about the new law that temporary foreign workers can apply for 2nd job wherein they will be working with 2 different work permit. It’s still a confusion to most of the foreign workers so all we want to know is if that’s possible to work 2 jobs with different work permit. Cause I phoned the Employment Standard and they told me it’s possible so I just want to confirm it with you.
    Thanks a lot and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

  19. Esperanza Rufino on February 9th, 2009

    And if it’s possible can you respond too in my email address cause the foreign workers wants to have proof (handsout). Because verbal information sometimes does not work well through miscommunication.
    Thanks

  20. dhindsa daljit on February 28th, 2009

    hi
    i am on work permit in calgary as a cook how can i apply my permanent residence card and after how many months give me right advice please

  21. Ben on March 15th, 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    A friend of mine is working in Calgary under W-1 visa. He’s from El Salvador and got in Canada 4 months ago. Is it possible for him to become a Permanent Resident?. If yes, what are the requirements?

    Thank you for you help!

    Ben

  22. Mark Jason D. Paraico on April 16th, 2009

    I am applying for a temporary work permit. I already submitted all the requirements needed,My question is how long does it take to process my application? Its more than 30 (working days) since I submitted my requirements. Would it be possible to give me information on the status of my application? Hope to have a reply on this inquiry…

    thank you very much.

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