As a Nigerian, I know it’s quite common to always imagine living in a country where one’s skills and talents are highly valued and where you can achieve your desired career aspirations. And for me, as well as many Nigerians, Canada represents that dream. Canada, with its booming economy and welcoming immigration policies, offers Nigerians a golden chance to secure a work visa and build a prosperous future. In this guide, I will provide a detailed guideline on how to apply for a Canadian work visa, including the processing time, eligibility criteria, required documents, and the costs of applying for a Canada work visa.
What Is a Canadian Work Visa?
A Canada work visa is a type of Canadian visa issued to applicants who want to work in Canada and have met the specific eligibility requirements. This type of visa should only be applied for when the applicant already has employment or job offers from a Canadian employer. The employer in quote should have what is called the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada ( ESDC). The Labour Market Impact Assessment permits employers to recruit foreign-skilled workers for occupations that cannot be filled in by citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Key Points
- To be eligible for a Canadian work visa, applicants must meet certain conditions, such as having a clean criminal record, a valid travel passport, proof of financial stability, a job offer from a Canadian organization, language proficiency in English or French, and being below 45 years of age.
- The application process for a Canadian work visa involves securing a job offer from a Canadian employer, ensuring the employer has a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), gathering necessary documents like a medical report and police clearance, and submitting the application either online or at a Canadian visa application centre in Lagos or Abuja.
- The processing time for a Canadian work visa can vary from 2-3 months to up to 20 weeks, depending on various factors. The costs associated with applying for a work visa also vary, with fees for work permits, biometrics, and other related expenses detailed in the article.
Types of Canadian Work Visa
There are 7 different types of Canadian work visas through which applicants can apply and they include the following:
#1. International Mobility Program (IMP)
In this type of Canadian work visa, the employer doesn’t need the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to employ foreign workers on a Canada work visa. Employment offers through the IMP have to be done through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (RCC) employer portal because the IRCC operates the international mobility programme unit exclusively for organisations wishing to hire via the programme.
#2. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
This type of Canadian work visa sometimes requires the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The requirements of LMIA are simply to prove that there is a demand for foreign employees and that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is suitable for this job. It is also important to note, as am applying, that TFWP permits Canadian organisations to engage temporary foreign employees for specific employment opportunities.
#3. Work Holiday Visa
This type of Canadian work visa includes International Experience Canada (IEC), which grants work visas to young individuals seeking work experience abroad. However, this work visa is granted only for a short period of time, which may be one or two years. So the applicant is allowed to reside for only one or two years with this type of visa. Unfortunately, many of the schemes under this programme do not permit Nigerians to apply. There are three types of work and travel experiences in Canada and they include:
- Working holiday
- Young professionals
- International Co-op (internship)
#4. Postgraduate Work Permit (PGWP)
This Canadian work visa is available only to foreign students who have finished an academic programme at a recognised Canadian college or university.
#5. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
This is offered by different territories and provinces in Canada. They can use this programme to choose foreign employees for permanent residency due to their abilities, professional expertise, and job opportunities within the province or territories.
#6. Open Work Permits
This is classified as a non-job-specific permit, which enables workers to seek employment with any organisation in Canada. This permit allows you to work for a specific employer, and it can come with certain conditions written in it, which can include the type of work, duration of work, and places where you can work. To apply for this permit, you must provide proof that you are in good health, financially stable, have no history of criminal records, and also meet eligibility criteria such as language skills, biometric data and insurance. Holders of the following visas can apply for an open work permit:
- Bridging open work permit
- Regular open work permits
- Spousal open work permit
- Temporary resident permit
- Temporary work permit for spouses
- World Youth Program permit
- Post-graduation work permit
- Atlantic immigration pilot program spousal permit
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for a Canadian Work Visa?
To be eligible for any visa, you must meet certain conditions or criteria; likewise for a Canadian work visa. The criteria will differ depending on the specific type of work visa the applicant is applying for. Generally, they may include:
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- You must have a clean criminal record
- You must have a valid travel passport
- You must have proof of financial stability to show you can support yourself, at least in the first year of your stay in Canada
- You must hold a job offer from a Canadian organisation
- You must be able to demonstrate language proficiency in either English or French
- You should be under the age of 45.
How to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa as a Nigerian
Can’t stress it enough but, this type of visa is only for those who already have a job offer from a Canadian organisation. So the first step in this application is to ensure you already have an employment offer. Then the next thing is to confirm your eligibility. If you are not able to meet their criteria, don’t bother applying because you will definitely be denied.
Also, ensure that the organisation has a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In some situations, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will ask the organisation to provide their LMIA and failure to do so makes them ineligible for recruiting foreign workers. The LMIA is there to confirm that no eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident is needed to take on the employment opening.
While placing your documents in order, ensure you have the right documents. Any false documents submitted might be assessed as fraudulent applications and will lead to visa denial. As a Nigerian, you will need proof of a medical checkup and a criminal background check. A criminal background check can be obtained from any police station, and they will give you a police clearance to confirm that you have been on good behaviour. The medical checkup must be done by a licensed doctor.
Read Also: How to Write a Letter of Permission to Travel: Step-by-Step Guide
You can apply for a Canada work visa online at the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or in person at the Canadian visa application centre in Lagos or Abuja. Determine the appropriate cost of your Canada work visa, depending on the type of work visa you are applying for. You will be asked to pay your application fee at the time of application. Providing accurate information and complete documents is the number-one step in a successful application.
A designated area will be picked for your biometrics, and then you await the processing. During the processing, be patient and know that the processing time varies depending on the factors listed below in this article. Once it is approved, you will receive your Canadian work permit. Review the details, which include the type of work, duration, and location. You are advised to move to Canada on or before the date specified in your work permit.
How do you Extend your Canada Work Visa?
When you want to extend your work visa, there are also specific criteria you must meet. This criteria depends on the type of work visa you are extending. To apply for a work visa extension, you generally need to fulfil the following requirements:
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- Your current work permit must still be valid at the time of application
- You must still be at the same organisation when you applied for the Canada work visa
- You must have a video reason for your extension, such as the need for additional time to complete a project, waiting for the processing of a permanent residence application, or the inability to secure suitable employment in your home country.
You have to submit a completed application form, a copy of your current work permit and any additional supporting documents as required. The processing time varies, just like when applying for a work visa but in most cases, it takes less time to extend your visa. Most people get successful extensions in a few weeks. The important points to consider when applying for a work visa extension are:
- Provide additional information or documentation to support your extension application
- Apply before your current work visa expires, as you cannot work in Canada without a valid work permit
What Are the Required Documents for a Canadian Work Visa?
Some documents will be required for you to prove your eligibility for this visa. Some of these documents include:
- Provide a valid passport or travel certificate
- Submit a formal job offer from a Canadian organisation stating the specific job offered to you
- Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- Academic documents such as diplomas, degrees, college certificates, or transcripts from a reputable institution
- Provide documentation showing your related professional expertise, like letters of recommendation from prior bosses, contracts of hire or salary slips
- Prove of language proficiency by providing IELTS or TEF test scores
- The medical report from your medical checkup must be issued by a licensed doctor
- Police clearance form as evidence of good behaviour
- Financial records (like bank statements), contracts of employment or scholarship documentation as proof of funds
- Submit current passport-sized photos
Fees and Costs Associated With Canada Work Visa
| Types of Canada Work Visas | Fee |
| Work permit (including extensions) – per person | $155.0 |
| Work permit (including extensions) – per group(3 or more performing artists) | $465.0 |
| Maximum fee for a group of 3 or more performing artists applying at the same time and place | |
| International express canada | $161.0 |
| Open work permit holder | $100.0 |
| Restore your status as a worker | $355.0 |
| Restore your status ($200) and get a new work permit ($155) | |
| Students | |
| Study permit (including extensions) – per person | $150.0 |
| Restore your status as a student | $350.0 |
| Restore your status ($200) and get a new study permit ($150) | |
| Inadmissibility | |
| Temporary resident permit: | $200.0 |
| Biometrics | |
| Biometrics per person | $85.0 |
| Biometrics- per family (2 or more people) | $170.0 |
| maximum fee for a family of 2 or more people applying at the same time and place | |
| Biometrics- per group ( 3 or more performing artists) | $255.0 |
| maximum fee for a group if 3 or more performing artists apply at the same time and place |
What Is the Processing Time for a Canadian Work Visa?
The processing time for a Canada work visa varies depending on the type of work permit the applicant is applying for and also the workload of the immigration officer. It usually takes 2–3 months for overseas applicants. Some can take up to 20 weeks (5 months). The number of applications, changes in immigration policies and unforeseen circumstances are also factors that can affect the processing time of a Canadian work visa.
During the processing period, the immigration officer will carefully review your documents to ensure that you are eligible and that your application meets the requirements. It is important to submit your application well in advance to account for potential processing delays. Without proper planning and preparation, you might encounter a rough visa application process and increase the potential disruption to your plans.
Track Your Canadian Work Visa Processing Time with This FREE Easy-to-Use PDF Tracker!
Canadian Work Visa.pdf
Can the Spouse or Common Law Partner and the Dependent of a Work Permit Holder Work in Canada?
Yes, in most cases, they can work in Canada. They will need a work permit to work in the country. However, they must individually apply for the work permit. In some cases, they can also apply for an open work permit, which allows them to apply for any job with any employer. The employer must get an LMIA to employ the person. The spouse-dependent work permit will be processed in 1 to 3 months.
When Can One Apply for a Spouse Dependent Work Permit?
You can apply for a spouse-dependent work permit as soon as you get your study/work permit in Canada. You will get them approximately 15 days from their arrival.
What Do I Do if My Canada Work Permit Has a Mistake?
The Canada work permit is to be printed after the border services officer has checked the documentation, confirming that you can enter Canada. In case of any mistake on the printed work permit, ask the border services office concerned.
Conclusions
The journey to obtaining a Canadian work visa is a crucial step toward achieving your professional and personal goals. By getting yourself familiar with the various visa types, eligibility requirements, and application procedures, you can streamline the process and increase your chances of success.
I believe this article has equipped you with essential knowledge of the types of visas, eligibility criteria, the application process, and associated costs. With careful planning and adherence to guidelines, you can make your dream of working in Canada a reality.
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References
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