Canada welcomes newcomers:  opportunities to work in Canada

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• Skilled workers
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Business Immigration Program
• Working in Canada temporarily
• Your rights as an employee in Canada
• Contact us

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Every year, tens of thousands of newcomers create new economic opportunities for themselves and for Canada by joining this country’s labour force. Many come to stay in Canada permanently (as permanent residents) through Canada’s immigration programs for skilled workers, or through the Provincial Nominee Program operated by many of Canada’s provinces and territories. Other newcomers come to Canada to start their own business or to work temporarily to help Canadian employers address short-term requirements for employees in specific occupations.

If you decide to apply to come to Canada through any of the programs described below, all the information and forms you need are available at no charge on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website at www.cic.gc.ca.

Skilled workers

If you have skills and experience that meet Canada’s labour market needs, you may qualify for permanent resident status in Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Other factors, including education, the ability to speak English or French well, and whether you have an offer of employment are also considered.

The CIC website has an interactive tool that will help you determine whether you meet the basic requirements. If you answer a few simple questions, the website tool will let you know whether you may be eligible for this program, and what other options may be available to you. You can find the interactive tool at www.cic.gc.ca/cometocanada.

It is important to remember that your application as a skilled worker will be assessed according to the eligibility requirements that are in effect at the time your application is received. Please visit the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca/skilled to see the current eligibility criteria.

Please note: The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for people who would like to come to any part of Canada except the province of Quebec, which is responsible for selecting its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, please visit www.cic.gc.ca/quebec for more information.

Provincial Nominee Program

As part of the Canadian immigration system, the provinces and territories in Canada can have agreements with the federal government that allow them to nominate immigrants who have the skills to meet their specific economic and labour market needs. One of the standard requirements for the Provincial Nominee Program is that the applicant must intend to settle in the province that nominates them.

To qualify for this program, you must apply to the province or territory where you wish to settle and complete its provincial nomination process. The provinces and territories have different requirements and each has its own application process.

If your application is accepted by the province or territory, you then have to make a separate application to CIC for permanent residence. A CIC officer will then assess your application based on Canadian immigration regulations.

For more information on the Provincial Nominee Program, including links to provincial and territorial government websites, visit www.cic.gc.ca/pnp.

Business Immigration Program

If you are an experienced businessperson, an investor or someone with self-employment experience, you may be eligible for permanent resident status in Canada through the Business Immigration Program.

This program is designed for newcomers who have financial resources to invest in Canada, as well as businesspeople who will own and operate businesses that can contribute to Canada’s economic prosperity and create jobs for Canadians. People with self-employment experience in farm management, the arts or athletics may also be eligible for permanent resident status through this program.

There are three categories for business immigrants to Canada:

• investors;
• entrepreneurs; and
• self-employed people.

There are different requirements for each category, but all require a certain amount of relevant business or self-employment experience. In some categories, you may also have to meet certain minimum financial requirements. Visit www.cic.gc.ca/immigrate to learn more about the Business Immigration Program.

Working in Canada temporarily

Every year, thousands of people enter Canada to work temporarily through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Temporary workers help Canadian employers address shortages of people with particular skills or work experience.

As a temporary foreign worker, you may eventually become eligible to apply for permanent resident status in Canada. In fact, a new immigration category called the Canadian Experience Class has been created especially for certain people who have been working in Canada temporarily.

In order to work temporarily at most jobs in Canada, you need a work permit. You may also need a temporary resident visa. To find out whether you need a visa, and how to qualify for one, you can view the requirements at www.cic.gc.ca/visit.

As part of your application, you will need to include some documents that will be provided by your employer in Canada, including a detailed job offer. Your employer may also have to obtain permission from the Government of Canada to hire you. If this is required, your employer will also give you a copy of a document called a Labour Market Opinion to include with your application for a work permit. The Labour Market Opinion is just one of the factors that will be assessed as part of your application.

You will find more details on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program at www.cic.gc.ca/work. More information on what employers need to do to hire a temporary foreign worker is available at www.cic.gc.ca/employers.

Your rights as an employee in Canada

Canada has laws that protect every worker, including temporary workers from other countries. Among other protections, these laws set standards for fair pay, hours of work, rest periods and workplace safety. Your employer cannot take your passport or work permit away from you.

Every province and territory in Canada has an office that deals with labour and employment laws. If you have concerns about fair pay, your hours of work, rest periods or other questions, talk to someone at the employment or labour standards office near you. You do not need your employer’s permission to contact an employment or a labour standards office, or to visit its website. They cannot punish you or have you deported for doing so.

To find a list of provincial and territorial labour standards offices, and for more information on your rights as an employee in Canada, see www.cic.gc.ca/work.

Contact us

In Canada: You can call the CIC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (toll-free) for more information. The automated voice response system can provide you with answers to general questions 24 hours a day. You can also speak to an agent during normal business hours. If you are hard of hearing and you use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service at 1‑888-576-8502 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time.

Outside Canada: You can contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your region.

Help us serve you better! Tell us what you think of this publication at www.cic.gc.ca/feedback.

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© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2009
Cat No. Ci4-14/2009
ISBN 978-0-662-06667-5