Working temporarily in Canada: Active pilot projects

Some provinces and territories have signed agreements with CIC that address federal‑provincial /territorial collaboration on temporary foreign workers. These agreements underscore a commitment to develop pilot projects to attract certain temporary foreign workers, as well as their spouses, common-law partners and working-age dependent children to a particular province or territory.

Who is Eligible?

British Columbia

Open work permits are available to spouses, common‑law partners and working-age dependants (18‑22) of most TFWs employed in British Columbia.

For more information, see: News Release - Pilot project to attract more working families to B.C.

Application deadline: February 15, 2013

Alberta

  • Open work permits are available to working‑age 18‑22) dependants of highly skilled temporary foreign workers employed in Alberta in an occupation classified as NOC 0 (managerial), NOC A (professional) or NOC B (skilled trades).

    For more information, see: Operational Bulletin 122

    Application deadline: July 30, 2012

  • Open work permits are available to spouses and common-law partners of temporary foreign workers employed in Alberta as long-hau l truck drivers.

    For more information, see: Operational Bulletin 146

    Application deadline: July 30, 2012

  • Two-year occupation-based work permits are available to temporary foreign workers employed in Alberta as steamfitters or pipefitters once they have been certified in that occupation by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AAIT).

    Workers who are AAIT-certified steamfitters or pipefitters are eligible for a work permit that allows them to change employers in that occupation without applying for a new work permit.

    Workers who are not AAIT-certified may apply for a one‑year employer-specific work permit as steamfitters or pipefitters, during which time they may become certified and eligible for the occupation-based work permit.

    For more information, see: Operational Bulletin 279-B

    Application deadline: May 31, 2012

Ontario

  • Open work permits are available to spouses, common-law partners and working-age (18‑22) dependants of Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to re-establish themselves in Ontario in an academic or healthcare career.

    For more information, see: News Release – ‘Brain gain’ pilot project launched in Ontario

    Application deadline: May 24, 2013 (extended)

  • Open work permits are available to dependants (minimum 14 years old) of highly skilled temporary foreign workers employed in Ontario in an occupation classified as NOC 0 (managerial), NOC A (professional) or NOC B (skilled trades).

    For more information, see: Operational Bulletin 123

    Application deadline: July 30, 2012