Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the right to work in Canada. Anyone who is not a Canadian or Canadian permanent resident must obtain authorization from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to work in Canada.
International companies with operations in Ontario, or that will be establishing operations in Ontario, will likely choose to transfer key personnel or employees with specialized knowledge of company procedures for a temporary period to Ontario in order to continue the growth of the business. Intra-company transferees require a work permit in order to take up a position in Canada. This guide will help companies understand the process of applying for a work permit. Specifically, this guide will provide advice on four types of workers:
• Business Visitors • Intra-Company Transferees • NAFTA Workers • Spouses of Skilled Workers
is a document issued by the federal department of
Citizenship and Immigration that allows a person who is not a permanent resident or
Canadian citizen to work temporarily in Canada. Work permits are generally only valid for a specified job and employer as well as for a specific length of time.
WHO IS A BUSINESS VISITOR?
A business visitor is someone who seeks to engage in international business activities in
Canada without directly entering the
Canadian labour market, and where the primary source of remuneration and place of business remains outside of Canada.
Examples of business visitors include:
• Representatives of foreign businesses coming to explore investment opportunities or meet with Canadian companies;
• Buyers of goods or services ;
• Company trainers/trainees coming to deliver or receive training in a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate of their company;
• After-sales service personnel as per a warranty or sales agreement, including supervising the installation of equipment or machinery purchased or leased outside of Canada, or to repair, service or provide familiarization services on such equipment. After-sales service does not include any hands-on building or construction that would generally be performed by a tradesperson.
WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR A
BUSINESS VISITOR TO ENTER CANADA?
Business visitors do not require a work permit but depending on nationality may require a temporary resident visa (TRV) to enter Canada.
Business visitors should have a letter from their foreign employer which clearly states the purpose of their trip to Canada, the anticipated length of stay, and confirmation that their source of remuneration remains outside Canada. After-sales personnel must have a copy of the relevant sales, warranty or service agreement outlining the services to be provided. These documents should be presented at the time of entry.
Business visitors are subject to normal visitor requirements and are normally granted entry for a length of time that is reasonable to fulfill the purpose of their trip to Canada.
WHO CAN APPLY AS AN INTRA-COMPANY
TRANSFEREE?
The intra-company transfer policy allows international companies with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada to temporarily transfer senior executives, managers or employees with specialized knowledge to the location in Canada in order to improve management effectiveness, expand Canadian exports and enhance the competitiveness of Canadian entities in overseas markets.
Executive capacity means the employee directs the management of the organization, or a major function of the organization; establishes goals and priorities of the organization; exercises wide latitude in discretionary decision-making; and receives only general supervision from higher level executives.
Managerial capacity means the employee manages the organization or large function of the organization; supervises the work of other supervisory or managerial employees; has the authority to hire and fire; and exercises discretion over the day-to-day operations.
Specialized knowledge means special knowledge of the Canadian enterprise’s product, service, equipment, management, etc., in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge in the organization’s processes and procedures.
Qualifying employees can apply directly to
CIC for a work permit under the intracompany transferee category. To be eligible under the intra-company category:
• Requires the Canadian company to be doing, or expect to be doing business;
• Requires the employee to have been working for the company in a similar capacity for at least one year in the preceding three years;
• Requires a letter from the employer to
Immigration detailing how the company and employee meet the requirements.
WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED TO
WORK AS AN INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREE?
Intra-company transferees require a work permit in order to take up a position in
Canada. Citizens from visa exempt countries may apply at the border upon entry.
Everyone else must apply at a Canadian visa post outside of Canada for a work permit.
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade – Corporate Immigration Services

There is an application fee of $150
Canadian for a work permit. Processing times vary depending on the visa post.
In addition to the work permit application form the employee should submit a letter from their employer providing the following information:
• Confirmation of employment in an executive, senior management or specialized knowledge capacity by the entity outside of Canada for at least one year in the previous three years;
• An outline of the applicant’s position, job title, place in the organization and duties performed;
WHO CAN ENTER CANADA UNDER NAFTA?
The North American Free Trade Agreement applies only to citizens of the U.S. and
Mexico (not permanent residents) who are seeking temporary entry. You must qualify in one of the four categories of business persons defined in NAFTA: business visitor, intra-company transferee, professional, or trader & investors.
• Business Visitor and Intra-Company
Transferee provisions are essentially parallel to the provisions in the foreign worker manual and are described above.
For information on how to hire a foreign worker, please access the CIC guide at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/TFWguide-e.pdf
Who requires a TRV?
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
For processing times, visa posts and a downloadable application form: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-how.asp
Information on medical exams: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/index.asp
For more information on Skilled Worker immigrant criteria: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who.asp
For more information on the PNP visit: www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/pnp.asp
WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED TO
WORK AS A PROFESSIONAL?
Professionals require a work permit to take up a position in Canada. The applicant must provide proof of U.S. or Mexican citizenship, a letter from the employer in Canada which affirms: the purpose of entry; the professional activity to be engaged in; the anticipated length of stay; and the arrangement for remuneration. The applicant must also be able to provide proof of the educational qualifications or appropriate credentials and that all licensing or other requirements to practice the profession are met. Applicants may apply outside Canada or upon entry.
HOW LONG CAN A PROFESSIONAL WORK IN
CANADA?
On initial entry an employment authorization may be granted for a maximum of one year.
Extensions can be issued in one year increments. There is no limit on the number of extensions that can be given provided that the employment is still temporary.
• Traders and Investors
This category is for U.S. and Mexican businesses or business persons who own or have a controlling interest in a company or other business enterprise to be established or already established in
Canada. There is a wide range of entrepreneurial activities that may qualify for this category, but it is necessary that either substantial trade or investment be involved (between either the U.S. or
Mexico and Canada).
WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED TO
WORK AS A TRADER/INVESTOR?
Traders and investors require a work permit and must apply outside of Canada .
• An outline of the applicant’s qualifications;
• An outline of the intended position in
Canada, job titles, duties, etc.;
• A description of the relationship between the Canadian and foreign entities; and
• Arrangements for remuneration.
PLEASE NOTE:
Citizens of certain countries may also require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and/or an immigration medical examination as part of the work permit application process.
HOW LONG CAN AN INTRA-COMPANY
TRANSFEREE WORK IN CANADA?
A qualifying intra-company transferee may be issued an initial work permit valid for
3 years. Executives and managers may be issued extensions in two year increments up to a maximum of 7 years, and specialized knowledge staff for up to 5 years total.
• Professional
To enter Canada as a professional under
NAFTA the applicant must:
• Be qualified to work in one of more than 60 professions listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 of
Chapter 16 of NAFTA (for example, accountant, computer systems analyst, engineer, management consultant and technical publications writer etc.,) and
• Have pre-arranged employment with a Canadian enterprise in an occupation that matches the qualification (self-employment is not included).
Professional occupations have a minimum education requirement. Unless otherwise stated, a B.A. degree is required to satisfy the requirements for admission under this category.
An employee may remain in Canada as long as their work permit is valid, or extension is granted. A foreign worker in
Canada may apply for an extension of their work permit by mail through the Case
Processing Centre in Vegreville, Alberta.
This should be done AT LEAST one month prior to the expiry of the existing work permit and preferably sooner.
Applications by mail:
CPC Vegreville
Work Permit
6212-55th Avenue – Unit 202
Vegreville, Alberta T9C 1X6
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade – Corporate Immigration Services

The spouse or common law partner of a skilled worker may apply for their own work permit without the need for a job offer in Canada.
A skilled worker is someone whose occupation falls within one of the following categories:
• Management
• Professional (usually requiring university education)
• Technical and skilled trades (usually requiring college education or apprenticeship training)
The work permit would allow the spouse to work in most occupations in Canada and would be valid for the same duration as the skilled worker’s permit.
Eligibility
To be eligible, the work permit of the principal applicant (skilled worker) must be valid for a minimum of six months and the skilled worker must reside in Canada.
A work permit offers only temporary status in Canada. If your company would like to hire a foreign worker on a permanent basis the company would need to obtain an
Arranged Offer of Employment through
Service Canada. If approved, the prospective employee would apply for permanent residence under the Skilled Worker category through a visa office abroad. Applicants for permanent residence must meet the requirements for selection as a Skilled
Worker immigrant and also demonstrate good health and character.
Foreign workers in Canada on certain temporary work permits may receive extra points on their Skilled Worker immigration application without the need for an employer to obtain an Arranged Offer of
Employment . They must have a valid work permit and have an offer of permanent employment from a Canadian employer in order to be eligible for these arranged employment points.
Ontario’s Pilot Provincial Nominee Program
(PNP) allows employers to attract skilled immigrants to occupations that are facing labour market pressures. Potential employers must be pre-screened and obtain approval for the positions they wish to fill. The
PNP is comprised of two categories: the
Employer category and the Multinational
Investor category.
The Employer category allows Ontario employers to permanently recruit foreign staff to eligible occupations in the health, education, manufacturing and construction sectors. Currently there are twenty occupations on the PNP occupation list. To be eligible as an employer your company must:
• Have been in existence and operation for at least three years in Ontario;
• Have at least $1,000,000 gross revenue in the previous fiscal year;
• Have at least five permanent full-time employees.
The Multinational Investor category can allow for the permanent entry of key personnel into companies that are making major investments in Ontario. To be eligible, companies must:
• Make a qualifying investment of
$10 million or more in Ontario;
• Create 25 net full-time permanent positions.
Ontario’s public school system is funded through taxes. The public school system offers quality education to 97% of Ontario’s children. As a work permit holder your children may attend school in Ontario at the primary or secondary level without the need for a study permit or payment of tuition fees .
As a work permit holder, you and your dependants are eligible for publicly funded health care under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan
(OHIP) which provides free basic health care services such as doctor or hospital visits. To qualify, your work permit must be valid for at least
6 months and your intended duration of work assignment in Ontario must be at least three years (the work permit need not be valid for three years). OHIP coverage does not apply for the first 90 days after arrival so it is advised that private coverage be arranged prior to coming to Ontario or within the first 5 days after arrival.
Visitors to Ontario may drive with a foreign license for up to one year provided their license is valid and accompanied by an international driver’s permit. Residents of Ontario who wish to drive must apply for an
Ontario driver’s license. A foreign driver’s license is only valid for 60 days after arriving in Canada.
Licensed drivers with at least two years of driving experience from the U.S.A., Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Germany,
France, Great Britain and Austria may get full class license privileges without taking a knowledge or road test.
Drivers from other countries must present official, written confirmation of their driving experience.
Everyone who works in Canada is required to have a Social Insurance
Number (SIN). This is a nine-digit number used to identify people who earn money through work, pay taxes and use government services.
A SIN should be applied for immediately after obtaining a work permit.
This can be done at any Service Canada Centre.
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade – Corporate Immigration Services

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade – Corporate Immigration Services

Business Immigration Section
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
3rd Floor, Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M7A 2E1
Phone: 1-416-325-6777
Fax: 1-416-325-6653
Email: bis@ontario.ca
Website: www.investinontario.com/bi
© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2008 008435-ENG/05/08