Every year, over 150,000 foreign workers enter Canada to work temporarily in jobs that help Canadian employers address skill shortages, or to work as live-in caregivers.

A work permit is needed for most temporary jobs in Canada. Some jobs do not require a work permit.

Who can apply

Some temporary workers require a work permit and some do not. For some categories of workers, permits are approved more quickly.

The requirements and processing times depend on the sort of work you will do when you come to Canada.

Remember, even if you do not need a work permit, you may need to meet other requirements. Read the information carefully at the web site of Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Certain categories of workers have their own requirements. See:

Information technology workers

The simplified entry process for information technology (IT) specialists will come to an end on September 30, 2010.

Effective October 1, 2010, employers who wish to hire foreign workers previously eligible for IT facilitated processing will be required to apply for a Labour Market Opinion.

To fill critical shortages in Canada’s software industry, Canada has a simplified entry process for workers whose skills are in high demand in that industry.

Under this process, no confirmation letter from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) is necessary for specific jobs when hiring a foreign worker, since it will not have a negative impact on Canadian or permanent-resident job seekers and workers.

This means that if you are coming to Canada to work in one of the jobs listed below, you do not need a letter from HRSDC, and your work permit application may be processed more quickly.

Live-in caregivers

Effective April 1, 2010, live-in caregivers working in Canada under the Live-in Caregiver Program:

• have two options for calculating their work experience to be eligible to apply for permanent residence:
  • 24 months of authorized full-time employment, or
  • a total of 3,900 hours of authorized full-time employment;
• have four years from their date of arrival to complete the employment requirement to be eligible for permanent residence under the Program; and
• no longer need to undergo the standard mandatory requirement for a second medical exam when applying for permanent residence.

Live-in caregivers are individuals who are qualified to provide care for children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities in private homes without supervision. Live-in caregivers must live in the private home where they work in Canada.

Both the employer and the employee must follow several steps to meet the requirements of the Live-In Caregiver Program.

To work as a live-in caregiver in Canada, you must make an application to the Live-In Caregiver Program. If your application is successful, you will receive a work permit.

Business people

Business people include certain people entering Canada under the following free trade agreements:

• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
• Other Free Trade Agreements
• General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

Business visitor is a separate category with separate requirements. Business visitors do not require a work permit.