You’ve always wanted to go to Canada to make money but thought a student visa was the only option for you to begin with. What if I told you that you can go to Canada without the need for a study visa, solely because your purpose is to work, not to pursue education?
Yes, you read it right. Many of us move abroad with the ultimate goal of settling there permanently, disguising our intentions under the garb of a student visa. However, the good news is that you can ditch the books and go for a work permit if you fulfil certain conditions.
Work Your Way, Your Way
Let’s discuss some of the benefits you can enjoy if you have a work permit:
Start Earning Sooner
If income is your immediate goal, a work permit lets you jump right into the workforce. No time spent on studying (unless your job requires it).
Targeted Opportunities
Specific work permits like Intra-Company Transfers or Global Talent Streams cater to niche needs, offering faster processing times for certain professions.
Explore Different Cities
Some work permits allow you to change employers and locations, giving you a taste of different parts of Canada before settling down.
However, it is important to note here that if you aspire to study abroad, a study visa is imperative, as opposed to a work permit.
The Process
For most international individuals to work in Canada, they require a work permit. Work permits come in two varieties: employer-specific work permits and open work permits.
Employer-Specific Work Permits: With an employer-specific work permit, you can work in Canada in accordance with the terms of your work permit, including the name of the particular employer you are authorised to work for, the maximum amount of time you can work, and the location of your authorised employment (if applicable). A copy of your employment contract must be provided by your employer before you may apply for an employer-specific work visa. A copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) or, for workers exempt from LMIA requirements, an offer of employment number should also be sent to you. Your employer needs to use the Employer Portal in order to obtain this number.
Your employer is required to provide you with a copy of the employment contract if they do not need to utilise the Employer Portal to make an offer of employment.
Open Work Permit: On the other hand, an open work visa allows you to work for any Canadian employer, with the exception of those who are on the list of businesses that have not complied with the conditions or that routinely provide erotic massages or escort services. Only a few conditions must be met in order to be eligible for an open work permit: you must be an international student who has completed their studies from designated learning institutions and be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme; you must have an employer-specific work permit and be experiencing or will soon be experiencing abuse related to your employment in Canada; you must have applied for permanent residence in Canada; or you must be a dependent family member of someone who has applied for permanent residence.
Let’s move to NOC codes now which are essential for determining eligibility for Canadian immigration programmes like Express Entry. They help assess an applicant’s skills and experience based on their chosen occupation.
Understanding the NOC Codes
Each job has a unique National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. It is categorised based on Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER). This simple code holds immense power for your immigration journey. The NOC has four broad categories (0, A, B, and C) representing different skill levels and types of work. Knowing your category helps you understand where your occupation fits in the bigger picture.
The NOC code can be used by applicants and those looking for information about the abilities, responsibilities, and requirements related to a specific employment.
Your NOC code for immigration reasons is not based on your actual work title. Rather, the majority of the tasks and responsibilities specified should have been completed by you, and your job experience should align with the lead statement/position. As a result, your work experience may be classified under several NOC codes, or your official job title may be linked to a NOC code that is inconsistent with your experience.
The NOC system is revised periodically, so ensure you’re using the latest version (currently NOC 2021). If you’re unsure about your code, consider consulting the Canada PR immigration consultants in Gurugram for guidance. Selecting the incorrect NOC code may result in the denial of your application and postpone your chances of gaining permanent residency.
How To Apply
If you are applying for a work permit from outside Canada, you must apply online by filling out relevant forms with the instruction guide.
You will receive an acceptance letter stating that you are permitted to work in Canada if your application for a work permit is granted. The letter of introduction known as the port of entry is this one. When you travel to Canada, you should bring this letter and show it at the port of entry. This is not a work permit for you. Your work permit will only be issued to you on the day of your arrival in Canada at the port of entry.
The Bottomline
Decide for yourself why you want to move to Canada. Is it money or overseas education? If it’s money, then why take an educational route to move there when simpler alternatives exist? However, if it’s the quality of education that attracts you, then you must go there on a study visa, and financial benefits will naturally follow in due course.
(Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only, focusing on information related to moving abroad on a work visa. It does not endorse any other purposes, and readers should seek professional advice for their circumstances.)
