Step One: Need worker, demonstrate

• Need a worker to fill a job that requires high school (or less) education.
• Attempt to hire or train Canadians or permanent residents of Canada.
• If unsuccessful, locate a suitable foreign national and have him/her sign an employment contract.
• Send the appropriate application form and signed employment contract to Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada.
• Provide evidence (for example: copies of ads) showing that they tried to hire or train Canadians but were unsuccessful.
• Demonstrate that wages and working conditions offered are consistent with what Canadians receive when doing this kind of work.
• Demonstrate that the job requirements are usual for the occupation.
• Formally declare that there is not a labour dispute in progress at the employer’s firm.
• Demonstrate that foreign worker(s) will find suitable accommodation at a reasonable rate.

Step Two: Contact worker, pay return airfare

If the application is approved by Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada, employers must:

• Send foreign nationals a copy of Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada’s approval letter (called a confirmation) and advise them to apply for work permit and any other needed documents at a Canadian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission.
• Pay return airfare for foreign nationals.

Step Three: Permits, S.I.N., accomodation

If Citizenship and Immigration Canada approves the foreign nationals’ work permit application, employers must:

• When foreign nationals arrive, view their work permits to ensure that the terms and conditions listed will allow them to begin work.
• Ensure foreign nationals obtain Social Insurance Numbers (SIN’s). If they already hold SIN’s, ensure that the SIN’s have been updated.
• Ensure that foreign workers find suitable accommodation.
• Adhere to: terms and conditions of the work permit; provincial labour laws and; conditions listed in employment contract.

Step Four: Change conditions

• If employer wishes to change terms or conditions of foreign nationals’ employment, before doing so, contact Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada for information.

Step One: Job offer, passport

• Be offered employment in a job that requires high school education or less.
• Have the skills, education and experience needed for the job.
• Have signed an employment contract with the Canadian employer.
• Have a copy of Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada’s approval letter (that the Canadian employer sent).
• Have a current, valid passport. (US citizens require only a birth certificate)

Step Two: Application, CIC documents

• Send the appropriate application form, application fee and signed employment contract to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.Include a copy of Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada’s approval letter.
• Provide any other documents required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (For example, such things as police certification, proof of education, licences, etc. may be required. The foreign national may be required to have a medical examination. For further information, consult the nearest Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Consulate, Embassy or High Commission for advice
• Foreign nationals may also need to apply for other documents such as a travel permit, exit visa, temporary resident visa etc. For further information, consult the nearest Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Consulate, Embassy or High Commission for advice.
• Send the appropriate immigration processing fee(s) to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Payment methods vary in each country.
• If bringing a family member or friend to Canada, consult the nearest Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Consulate, Embassy or High Commission for advice.

Find a List of Embassies on this website.

Step Three: Advise employer, travel

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will assess the application(s) and advise the foreign national of the decision. If the application has been approved, the employee must:

• Advise the Canadian employer that the work permit has been approved and arrange a start date to begin work.
• Make arrangements to travel to an area near the employer’s place of business.
• If bringing furniture, equipment or items of high value to Canada, visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website
for instructions.

Step Four: Arrival

On arriving at a Canadian airport or border crossing, the foreign national must:

• Show Canadian Immigration Officer passport and copy of approval letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
• If foreign national is given final approval to enter Canada, the Canadian Immigration Officer will give the foreign national a work permit.

Step Five: S.I.N., begin work

• If foreign national does not have a Social Insurance Number, apply for one. If foreign national already holds a Social Insurance Number apply to have it updated.
• Begin working for the Canadian employer.

Step Six: Changing conditions

• Foreign nationals are permitted to remain in Canada under this program for no longer than one year. Within that time, if the foreign national wishes to change the terms or conditions of employment (for example: change employers or; change occupations or; change the location of his/her work) before doing so, the Canadian employer (or new Canadian employer) must first obtain formal approval (confirmation) from Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada.
• Once the Canadian employer has received formal approval from Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada, the employer must give the foreign national a copy of the approval letter.
• The foreign national must send a copy of the approval letter, the appropriate application form and processing fee, as well as any other required documents to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. **It is important that foreign national sends all these documents together, well before the expiry of his/her work permit.
• The new work permit must be received before the foreign national begins working under the changed terms and conditions.