Introduction
A work visa can be obtained more easily for many people who want to live and work in Canada if they have prior job experience there. For individuals who have previous job experience in Canada, there are multiple career paths available. Canada is a nation that honors competent professionals who have proven their ability to contribute to the economy. The several work visa alternatives, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and advice on making the most of your Canadian work experience are all covered in this guide.
Routes to Work Permits for Individuals with Prior Work Experience in Canada:
1. The Express Entry System
2. Program for Federal Skilled Workers (FSWP)
3. Experience Canada Class (CEC)
4. Program for Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP)
5. Programs for Provincial Nominees (PNPs)
6. Short-Term Work Permits
7. The Express Entry System
One of the most widely used methods for acquiring a permanent work permit in Canada is the Express Entry procedure. People who submit a profile through an online immigration application system may be eligible to be classified as skilled immigrants. Under Express Entry, there are three main programs available:
Program for Federal Skilled Workers (FSWP): The FSWP is intended for skilled professionals who wish to permanently immigrate to Canada and have prior experience working abroad. Although employment experience in Canada is not a requirement for this program, it can improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence (ITA).
Qualifications
To qualify for the FSWP, you have to fulfill the following requirements:
Work Experience: Within the last 10 years, at least one year of continuous full-time or comparable part-time paid work experience in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B).
Language Proficiency: Take a standardized test to demonstrate your language skills in either French or English (CLB 7 or higher).
Education: Possess an equivalent foreign credential evaluated by an ECA, or have a certificate, diploma, or degree from a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada.
Points System: On the FSWP selection grid, based on variables including age, education, work experience, job offer, language proficiency, and adaptability, you must receive at least 67 out of 100 points.
Advantages of Work Experience in Canada
Your CRS score can rise dramatically if you have Canadian job experience because the system gives you extra points for that work history. In particular, one year of work experience in Canada is worth up to 80 points, and this could be a deciding factor in getting an ITA.
Experience Canada Class (CEC): For those who have worked in Canada and wish to obtain permanent residency, the CEC is designed specifically for them. For people who have already lived and worked in Canada and have assimilated into the country’s work culture and way of life, this program offers significant benefits.
Qualifications
You have to fulfill the following conditions to be qualified for the CEC:
Work Experience: Perform at least 12 months of skilled work in NOC 0, A, or B positions in Canada throughout the last three years.
Language Proficiency: Meet your employment level’s language standards (CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A, CLB 5 for NOC B).
Procedures for Applications
Make an Express Entry profile by stating that you are interested in the CEC and providing information about your education, job history, and language skills.
Obtain an ITA: You can be eligible for an ITA if your CRS score is competitive and you meet the qualifying requirements.
Submit your application: Within 60 days of receiving the ITA, finish the application for permanent residency.
Undergo medical examinations and produce police certificates as needed to comply with security and medical checks.
Obtain Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): If your application is accepted, you will be issued a COPR, allowing you to start the process of relocating to Canada permanently.
Program for Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP): For skilled workers who meet the requirements of a skilled profession and wish to become permanent residents, there is the FSTP. Qualifications
Job Experience: Within the five years before applying, at least two years of full-time job experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade are required.
Job Offer or Certification: A legitimate offer of full-time employment for a minimum of a year, or a qualification certificate in that skilled trade from a provincial, territorial, or federal government agency in Canada.
Meet the minimal language proficiency criteria (CLB 4 for reading and writing, and CLB 5 for speaking and hearing)
Programs for Provincial Nominees (PNPs): Canadian provinces and territories, through PNPs, can recommend people for permanent residence by the demands of the local labor market. Numerous provinces offer special application streams, frequently connected to the Express Entry system, for candidates with prior job experience in Canada.
PNP Stream Examples for Candidates with Work Experience in Canada
Program for Ontario Immigrant Nominees (OINP): The Human Capital Priorities Stream is designed for Express Entry applicants who possess expertise and experience in fields that are in high demand in Ontario.
Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream: For recently graduated students with an Ontario-based job offer from a Canadian university.
Program for British Columbia Provincial Nominees (BC PNP): Workers with a legitimate employment offer in a skilled occupation fall under the skilled worker category.
International Graduate Category: For recently graduated post-secondary students from Canadian universities who have been offered employment in British Columbia.
Program for Albertan Immigrant Nominees (AINP): Candidates who have close ties to Alberta or who may contribute to the province’s economic expansion are eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream.
Short-Term Work Permits: Temporary work permits might be a great choice for people who need to continue obtaining work experience in Canada but are not yet eligible for permanent residence. There are several work permit programs accessible, based on your unique situation.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): International graduates of Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) are eligible for the PGWP. Depending on how long their study program is, they can work in Canada for a maximum of three years under this permit.
Qualifications
Graduation from a DLI: Completing a course of study at a Canadian DLI that meets the requirements.
Program Length: A minimum of eight months must pass during the study program.
Since the PGWP is an open work permit, you can work in practically any occupation for any employer in Canada. Afterward, this experience will help you become eligible for CEC and other programs.
Program for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWP): The TFWP permits employers in Canada to temporarily fill labor and skill shortages by hiring foreign nationals. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required for this program to prove that hiring a foreign worker won’t have a detrimental effect on the Canadian labor market.
Qualifications
Job Offer: An official job offer from a company in Canada.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) may provide an LMIA if necessary.
To apply for a work permit, apply along with the LMIA and the job offer.
The Programme for International Mobility (IMP): Employers can hire foreign nationals without obtaining an LMIA, thanks to the IMP. There are several streams in this program, including reciprocal employment agreements, major benefits, and intra-company transfers.
Qualifications
A legitimate employment offer from a Canadian business falls into one of the LMIA-exempt categories.
Application for Work Permit: Apply for a work permit through the relevant IMP stream.
Maximizing the Benefits of Work Experience in Canada
When applying for a work visa, consider the following tips to make the most of your work experience in Canada:
Correct Documentation: Make sure that all of the employment you’ve done is properly recorded in contracts, pay stubs, and reference letters.
Improve language competence: Your CRS score and total application strength can both be greatly increased by having a higher level of language competence.
Remain Up to Date: Since criteria and procedures are subject to change, stay informed on modifications to immigration laws and programs.
Look for Provincial Opportunities: Consider PNP options that can provide candidates with Canadian experience with specialized streams or lower requirements.
Think About Education: Getting more education in Canada will help you qualify for more immigration programs and improve your profile.
A smart way to live and work permanently in Canada is to apply for a work visa if you have prior Canadian job experience. Skilled laborers with local knowledge are highly valued by the nation’s immigration system, which opens up several programs to those who have already demonstrated their capacity to boost the Canadian economy.
Above all, utilizing your Canadian employment experience, whether via the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs, or temporary work permits, can greatly improve your chances of being accepted. It is possible to successfully traverse the immigration landscape and fulfill your dream of working in Canada by being aware of the qualifying requirements, application procedures, and strategies for optimizing your benefits.