Maple News reports that foreign nationals can still enter Canada to work despite COVID-19-related travel restrictions—as long as they meet certain requirements. Temporary foreign workers are exempt from the government’s non-essential travel ban, which continues to apply to tourists and other discretionary travelers.
To be eligible to work in Canada during the pandemic, applicants must hold a valid letter of introduction for a work permit and have passed an immigration medical exam. Additionally, travelers are required to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival and demonstrate they can begin working afterward. Most applicants will also need to present a valid job offer unless they qualify through programs that allow open work permits, such as those for spouses or common-law partners.
If a traveler’s medical exam is expired, lacks a job offer, or their prospective employer has shut down due to COVID-19, they may be denied entry into Canada.
Canada offers two major types of work permits: those that require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and those that are LMIA-exempt. An LMIA is a document requested by the employer and issued by the government to confirm there are no Canadians available to fill the position. Most temporary work permits fall into this category.
On the other hand, LMIA-exempt work permits are available in specific situations. These include employment that provides social or cultural benefits to Canada, jobs under reciprocal agreements like the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), intra-company transfers, and roles in charitable or religious activities. Certain academics, French-speaking professionals working outside Quebec, and entrepreneurs may also qualify.
To apply for a work permit, the first step is for the Canadian employer to obtain a neutral or positive LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which is then submitted with the applicant’s work permit application. For jobs in Quebec, a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) is also required.
Once an LMIA and, if necessary, a CAQ are secured, the employer formally offers the job to the foreign national, allowing them to proceed with the work permit application.
Whether you’re filling a labor shortage or pursuing an international exchange opportunity, the Canadian work permit process remains open for those who meet government standards—even amid a global pandemic.