Starting December 23, 2024, foreign nationals who want to work in Canada will no longer be able to apply for a work permit when they arrive at the border.
Instead, they will have to apply online for both new permits and extensions.
This new rule, set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is meant to make the application process smoother and faster for everyone. Here’s how it will work:
Applying Online
To apply for a work permit, foreign workers need to fill out an application on the internet. They will answer some questions that help them through the process. If they are already in Canada but leave the country, they cannot work until their new permit is approved after they come back.
After submitting the application, IRCC will check if it’s complete and if all necessary documents, like biometrics, are included.
If anything is missing, they will send the application back. For those applying from outside Canada, it’s a good idea to set up a biometrics appointment early to avoid waiting.
If the application is successful, the applicant will receive a letter that says their work permit has been approved. But this letter isn’t the actual work permit.
The real work permit is given out when the applicant arrives in Canada. At the border, officers will check the applicant’s identity and paperwork before giving them their work permit.
Entering Canada
When coming to Canada, workers should bring their passport, a visitor visa if needed, and any other important documents like proof of work experience or education.
They also need to show their approval letter. Border officers will check all this and then decide if they can enter and work in Canada.
Workers should make sure their passport is valid for the whole time they plan to stay in Canada because the work permit will expire when the passport does.
It’s also important to have health insurance ready and to check if their employer offers injury compensation coverage.
This new online system aims to make it easier and quicker to get a work permit, but it means workers have to plan ahead and make sure they have everything ready before they travel to Canada.
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