Provincial/territorial pilot projects—Work in Canada

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

Who is Eligible?

British Columbia

Alberta

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

    For more information, refer to Operational Bulletin 122.

    Application deadline: July 31, 2013

  • Open work permits are available to spouses and common-law partners of TFWs employed in Alberta as long-haul truck drivers.

    For more information, refer to Operational Bulletin 146.

    Application deadline: July 31, 2013

  • Two-year occupation-based work permits are available to TFWs employed and certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AAIT) in one of the following occupations: steamfitter/pipefitter, welder, heavy-duty equipment mechanic, ironworker, millwright and industrial mechanic, carpenter, and estimator.

  • Workers who are AAIT-certified 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 in their occupation during which time they may become certified and eligible for the occupation-based work permit.

    For more information, refer to Operational Bulletin 279-D.

    Application deadline: July 31, 2013

Ontario

  • Open work permits are available to spouses, common-law partners and working-age dependants (minimum 14 years old) of Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to re establish themselves in Ontario in an academic or health care career.

  • For more information, refer to the 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 TFWs employed in Ontario in an occupation classified as NOC 0 (managerial), NOC A (professional) or NOC B (skilled trades).

    For more information, refer to Operational Bulletin 123 “Pilot project for Working-Age Dependent Children of Workers Destined to Ontario.”

    Application deadline: July 31, 2013