What you need to know
If you wish to work temporarily in Canada, you
will likely require an employment authorization.
An employment authorization
is issued by an immigration officer after a Human
Resources Canada Centre (HRCC) approves your job
offer. For any advice, contact the Canadian Embassy,
High Commission or Consulate General near you.
Additional procedures may be required if you
wish to work in Quebec. For further information,
contact the Canadian Embassy abroad or a Canada
Immigration Centre in Canada.
What your employer must do
Your employer must give details
of your job offer to a Human Resources Canada
Centre (HRCC).
An employment counsellor will check to determine
if your offer of employment meets the prevailing
wages and working conditions for the occupation
concerned. A check will also be made to see if
the job cannot be filled by a suitably qualified
and available Canadian or permanent resident.
If these conditions are met, the HRCC will approve
your job offer. They will then issue a confirmation
of offer of employment and send this to the Canadian
Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in your
country. The employer will be provided with a
copy of the confirmation of offer of employment,
to be forwarded to you. Your
employer is responsible for arranging your worker's
compensation and medical coverage when you arrive
in Canada. Some jobs may be exempt from
HRCC approval and either the HRCC or a visa office
at a Canadian embassy or consulate can advise
you on this.
What you must do
The Canadian visa office near you will contact
you upon receipt of your confirmation of offer
of employment.
You may be asked to go to an interview or to
send some information by mail. You may also
be asked to have a medical check-up, which
you will have to pay for yourself. If you qualify
and have all the necessary documents, you will
receive an employment authorization and possibly
have a separate visitor visa placed in your passport.
The employment authorization
will state that you can work at a specific job
for a specific period of time for a specific employer.
You will need to produce the authorization when
you arrive in Canada, as well as your passport,
visa (if issued) and airline tickets. There
is a processing fee when you submit an application
for an employment authorization. There
are no refunds if your application is refused.
Different procedures exist for citizens or permanent
residents of the United States. You should seek
clarification from the nearest Canadian embassy.
An employment authorization will not be issued
to you to come to Canada to look for work. It
is valid only for the specific job, the specific
amount of time and the employer stated on the
form.
When you arrive in Canada
When you arrive at the port of entry to Canada,
show your confirmation of offer of employment,
your employment authorization and other papers
to an immigration officer. You
will be given forms to fill out so that you can
get a Social Insurance Number. When you
receive your Social Insurance Number (SIN) card,
you will have to give your number to your employer.
Your employment authorization is not a contract.
Your job can be ended by you or your employer
at any time. However, if your duties change or
the job is to be extended, you must contact a
Canada Immigration Centre right away, before the
expiry date of your current authorization.
Some workers can apply at a port of entry
Most foreign workers must apply
for employment authorization outside of Canada.
But if you are a resident of the United States,
Greenland, or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you can
apply for an employment authorization when you
arrive at a port of entry to Canada. To apply
this way, you must produce your confirmation of
offer of employment and other papers when you
arrive at the port of entry. Remember that you
must find out what papers you will need before
arriving in Canada. Check with the Canadian Embassy,
High Commission or Consulate General.
Remember
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