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Temporary work visas or permits to work in Canada can vary depending on the job you’ll be performing there. Before starting your visa application process, it is important to decide what kind of work you want to do, as well as verifying the specific requirements you’ll need to fulfill in order to start the process. 

Employers in Canada can hire temporary workers through two different programs:

1. Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP), through which foreign workers are hired in Mexico via the Temporary Agricultural Workers Program (PTAT). 

TFWP requires Canadian employers to perform a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or to obtain a confirmation letter from the Canadian government certifying that there are no Canadian residents or citizens that can perform the jobs required by the company, and therefore recruiting foreign workers is necessary to fill the job openings.

2. International Mobility Program (IMP), which allows the employers to hire foreign workers without the LMIA or certification letter. Under this program, workers should have a presentation letter and a work permit. In most cases, Canadian employers should post an offer of employment through the Employer Portal. 

After the employer completes their process, the foreign worker should apply for a temporary work permit at the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

TFWP only applies to participating countries, like Mexico and Caribbean nations, for a period no longer than 8 months between January 1 and December 15. Employment can only be offered in primary sectors like basic production or agriculture. Temporary agricultural workers are responsible for their visa application and work permit processing fees to IRCC and/or to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) at ports of entry. 

What does a person need in order to be eligible for temporary employment in Canada?

First, you’ll need an approved employment offer, your valid passport and a work permit. In order to prepare your application will need to follow these steps:

1. Fill your application

You can either submit a physical application or an electronic one. You can find both formats at the IRCC website. You can fill them directly in the website electronically or print the form and manually fill it out. All required documentation should be attached to your application.

2. Prepare your application

Since July 31, 2019 when you apply for a visitor visa, a student permit or work permit you might need to have your biometrics—such as fingerprints and picture—taken at a Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC). 

If you do need to have your biometrics taken, you’ll be notified with a letter of biometric information instructions. If this is the case, you will have to go to a CVAV to have your biometrics taken by appointment only. The letter you receive will have the information of the day, time and location of your appointment. 

You will have to pay a $85 CAN for a government and biometrics fee, if needed. You’ll get a receipt with a personalized number. You will need this number to track your application online. You can also track your visa application status through their webchat, via email at [email protected], or by phone at +52 800 461 0184.

If your application is denied, the visa office will return your passport to the CVAC where you had your initial appointment, where you will be able to retrieve it. If your work permit is authorized, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) will be issued with it.

Here are some tips to avoid being victim of fraud in the process:

• Be careful, particularly if the offer sounds too good to be true.

• Having a representative helping you with the process does not guarantee that your visa or work permit will be approved.

• your employer must provide you with a copy of the LMIA and the letter of employment offer of contract.

• Never lie in your application, be wary of representatives to invite you to do so.

• Never share your original documents with a representative.

• Never sign anything you cannot read and/or understand

• Ask your representative for copies of all documents submitted in your name

• The Canadian government will never call you or ask you to deposit payments in personal accounts to process your application.

• All processing fees paid at the Visa Application Centers are paid in Canadian dollars (CAN).

• Payments to cover transportation and lodging are never a requirement

• Representatives and recruiters must provide the name of the employer, place where you will work, position, dates, hours and wages.

• Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC) are the only authorized places to accept and process applications.

• Be careful with Whatsapp communications

• The Canadian Embassy and the Canadian Government agencies have no relation with recruiters, nor do they participate in the recruitment process of temporary workers.

• The email addresses of the Canadian government officials, offices, and agencies are not commercial emails (they never have domains like @gmail.com, @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, etc.)

• Work letters and contracts never have the Canadian or Mexican governments logos. Contracts are private between the worker and the company. You will not be working for the Mexican nor the Canadian government, you’ll work for a private company. 

It is important to verify your job offer for Canada before making any payment or deposit. You can do so by sending an email to [email protected].

Imágen: Flickr/Rohan Mishra 2019/Vía Flickr.com