How To Get Work Visa For Canada

1. About the process
2. Who can apply
3. How the pools work
4. Create a profile
5. Get invited to apply
6. How to apply
7. After you apply

Image that represents the different stages of the application process and biometrics.

We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.

1. Apply for your visitor visa, study permit or work permit

If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you're eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.

Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.

2. Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you're between 14 and 79 years old, you probably need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years to make repeat trips to Canada easier.

Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give biometrics.
You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.
Find out where to give your biometrics.

3. We process your application

After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.

If we need more information from you, we'll contact you.

4. We make a decision on your application

When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you're approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.

If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.

5. You travel to Canada (if you're approved)

Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes travel documents like a visitor visa, study or work permits or an eTA (electronically linked to your passport).

Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don't have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.

Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.

6. We check your identity when you arrive in Canada

When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.

If we can't verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.

If the officer determines that you're not admissible to Canada, you won't be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you'll have to take a return flight to where you came from.

7. You're allowed to enter Canada

If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You're normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.

You must meet some basic requirements to enter Canada. You must:

have a valid travel document, like a passport
be in good health
have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
have enough money for your stay
- The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.

Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:

criminal activity
human rights violations
organized crime

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.

Find out more about inadmissibility.

IEC participants: Requirements for travel to Canada

As an IEC participant, you can only travel to Canada if you have a port of entry letter of introduction and

you're fully vaccinated

you have proof of a valid job offer and can start your job as soon as you complete your quarantine
- Make sure you check the start date on your job offer before you travel.

Find out more about travel, testing, quarantine and borders in Canada.

Eligibility

To participate

your country or territory of citizenship must have an agreement with Canada that allows you to apply for an IEC work permit or
you may be able to use a recognized organization (RO)

You must also meet the eligibility requirements for your country or territory of citizenship and the pool you're applying for.

Some countries only allow you to participate once. Others allow you to participate twice, but in different pools. Because each country is different, it's important that you check to see if you're eligible to apply.

Even if you're issued an invitation to apply (ITA), you can't participate more times than your country allows. Make sure you read and understand all the requirements before you submit an application.

Even if you hold a refugee travel document issued by a country that has a youth mobility agreement with Canada, you're not eligible to participate.

Dependants

Your dependants aren't eligible to accompany you to Canada under the IEC program. However, they may apply to visit, study or work in Canada. Your application will be examined separately from theirs.

Find out more about how dependants can come to Canada.

Travel and work experiences

Depending on which country you're from, you can choose from up to 1, 2 or 3 pools of travel and work experiences.

Working Holiday

Due to current travel restrictions, unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated Working Holiday candidates will have to

provide proof of a valid job offer when they arrive in Canada
be required to quarantine.

Working Holiday candidates no longer need to submit a job offer to receive an ITA.

Fund your vacation with temporary work in Canada.

Normally, this category is for you if

you don't have a job offer (due to current travel restrictions, a valid job offer is required if you're not fully vaccinated)

This category is also for you if

you want to work for more than one employer in Canada
you want to work in more than one location
you'd like to earn some money so that you can travel

The type of work permit you get for Working Holiday is an open work permit.

An open work permit lets you work at most jobs in Canada. However, there are some jobs where you'll have to get a medical exam first.

Young Professionals

Gain Canadian professional work experience to better compete in a global economy.

This category is for you if

you have a job offer in Canada that contributes to your professional development
you'll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada

Under this category, work must be

paid
not self-employed

The type of work permit you get in the Young Professionals category is an employer-specific work permit.

Your employer must meet all labour laws in the province or territory you plan to work including meeting minimum wage requirements.

The job you are offered in Canada must be classified as a National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code Skill Type Level 0, A or B to be considered as contributing to your "professional development." A NOC C job might be accepted if you can submit a post-secondary diploma, certificate or degree, with your work permit application. Your diploma, certificate or degree must be translated to English or French.

International Co-op (Internship)

Get valuable overseas work experience related to your field of study.

This category is for you if

you're a student registered at a post-secondary institution
you have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada
you need to do this work placement or internship to complete your studies
you'll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada

The type of work permit you get in the International Co-op (Internship) category is an employer-specific work permit. The internship you are offered in Canada must be directly linked to your field of studies.

Wages must follow the labour laws in the province or territory you will be working in. The labour code of the province or territory will determine if an internship needs to be paid or not.

Employment and labour law standards apply to all foreign nationals in Canada. It is up to the IEC candidates and their Canadian employer to inquire, for their particular case, with the relevant provincial or territorial departments regarding labour standards.

Where are you from?

To be eligible for the category, you must: