Work in Canada
In order to work in Canada legally, you require a work permit. Some work permits require a job offer and a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while other work permits (Open Work Permit) do not require LMIA.
Examples of Open Work Permits:
Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
This is for international students in Canada who have completed at least 8 months of full-time studies in Canada. The PGWP is usually issued for a period between 8 months and 3 years and the duration you get depends on the length of your studies.
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
In order to be eligible for BOWP, you must already be working in Canada on a work permit. The BOWP is used to extend your work permit while you wait for the outcome of your permanent residence application. In other words, it is only available for work permit holders who have applied for permanent residence and need to extend their work permit to enable them to have a valid status and keep working pending a decision on their permanent residence application.
Inland Spousal or Common Law Partner Sponsorship
This is for foreign nationals who are being sponsored by their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residence – they could be eligible to apply for an open work permit provided they follow the inland (within Canada) application process. You can apply for Open Work Permit together with your sponsorship application.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada to sponsor their family members to join them in Canada.
You can sponsor your:
- Spouse or Common Law Partner
- Biological or Adopted Child or Children under the age of 22
- Parents and Grandparents
