Canada, a multicultural and developed country, attracts thousands of Filipinos to travel, study or work in Canada. If you want to work in Canada and make more money, you must apply for a work visa or permit. However, the process of applying for a work visa is not easy. Don’t worry. Read below and we will get you covered.
Canada Work Visa: Definition & Types
The Canada Work Visa, one of the nonimmigrant visas, is a legal document that allows a foreign national, such as temporary workers, business people and students to engage in employment for a certain period of time. With a work visa, foreign workers can protect their rights and enjoy benefits. There are two main types of Canada visas: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.
Open Work
Open work permits allow Filipinos to work for any employer in Canada, as long as the employer is not listed as non-compliant under the Temporary Foreign Worker or International Mobility Program. And employers can’t run a sex work company. This work permit may be suitable for you if you have diverse employment skills and are looking for employment on arrival.
International Experience Canada’s Working Holiday Visa (WHV)
The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is a program under International Experience Canada (IEC). The visa allows you to work and travel in Canada for a temporary period. If you are a young Filipino who wants to experience Canadian culture, a visa will be the best option for you.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students to work in Canada temporarily after graduation. If Filipino graduates obtain this visa, they can gain valuable work experience and transition to permanent resident status in Canada.
Bridging Open Work Permit
The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) allows Filipinos to continue working in Canada while the PR application is being processed. It will bridge the gap between the work permit and the PR application.
Refugee Claimant Open Work Permit
Asylum claimants can apply for this work permit once they can provide refugee protection in the Canadian Refugee Protection Portal or IRCC Portal. A recognized Convention refugee or protected person may apply for this open work permit.
Spousal/Common-Law Partner Open Work Permit
This visa allows a common-law partner or spouse of certain temporary Canadian permit holders to work in Canada. If they have this visa, they can work for any employer without any restrictions.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
This work permit allows you to work under specific conditions in Canada. This means that you need to work for the company within a particular location or region. If you join another company, you must re-apply for a new work permit. The permit will be valid for a certain period of time, so you need to renew it after it has expired.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The TFWP is a federal program that allows Canadian employers to hire Filipino workers to address temporary labor and skill shortages. Employers must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment to indicate that it will not impact the Canadian labor market.
International Mobility Program (IMP)
This is a Canadian immigration program that allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers without LMIA. It also helps meet the needs of the workforce and attracts international talent.
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
This is a trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada that aims to create economic growth and higher standards of living in all three countries. It requires all three countries to adopt and enforce ILO-recognized labor laws.
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
This is a free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union that helps increase trade and create jobs in both countries. By cutting tariffs, businesses and people can benefit from exporting goods and services.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
It is a free trade agreement between 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It will safeguard high labor standards and facilitate economic cooperation between its parties.
Who Is Eligible for a Canada Work Visa?
Before Filipinos apply for a Canada work visa, they must meet the general eligibility criteria for their chosen type of work permit. Here you can check your eligibility below:
- You must have educational credentials recognized in Canada through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) offered by a designated organization.
- You must have relevant work experience to highlight your skills and expertise.
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) demonstrates your language skills.
- Scoring at least 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
- A medical examination confirms that you meet Canada’s health standards.
- Enough money to prove that you can take care of yourself and your family.
Canada Work Permit & Visa Requirements for Filipinos
Once you are eligible to apply for a Canada work permit and visa, you must collect the necessary documents. Here is the list of supporting Canada work visa requirements.
- A completed work permit application form
- A valid Philippine Passport
- Proof of funds, such as bank statements, scholarship letters, or proof of support from a family member
- Letter of offer from a Canadian employer (for employer-specific work permits)
- Educational credentials to show your diplomas or degrees.
- Police certificates to show you have a clear criminal record.
- Language test results
- Proof of work experience
However, there are some variations on the Canada visa requirements from the Philippines depending on the specific program that you are applying for.
How to Apply for Canada Work Permit & Visa for Filipinos
Once you have prepared all the necessary required documents, you can apply for your Canada work visa. You can apply online or on paper at the courier. If you don’t want to go out, you can follow the steps below and start the application.
- Visit the online website
- Fill out the application form after you have logged into the account.
- Pay the application fee and biometric information collection fee.
- Visit the specific application location to collect your biometrics, such as taking a photo or fingerprint collection.
- Attend the interview to answer some questions honestly.
- You need to take a medical exam to check your health.
- Once done, you can wait for the approval letter.
Upon arrival in Canada, you will be issued a work permit with this letter.
How to Track Canada Visa Application Status
Once you have successfully applied, you can do the Canada visa application tracking if it takes you a long time to get the visa. Follow the steps below and check your visa application.
- Visit the status check website.
- Select the work permit from the options.
- Sign in to your account to check your application.
- Click “Check status and messages” under “View my submitted applications or profiles”.
- Then you will see the status of your visa application.
Canada Work Visa Cost & Processing Time
The Canada work visa cost and processing time for a Canada work permit visa depends on the work permit you are applying for. When you apply for a work permit, you need to pay the application fee. It is CAD 155 （6461.66PHP) per person and CAD 85 (3,543.49PHP) for your biometric collection fees. If you are applying for an open work permit, you need to pay CAD 100 (4,168.81PHP). The process time of the open work permit is about 20 weeks. However, the closed work permit will take 12 to 14 weeks to process.
Canada Work Visa & Permit Validity
Generally, a Canadian work permit is valid for 1-2 years, but it can be extended for an additional 2 years. If your Canada work visa expires, you must leave Canada and remain for at least 4 years before you can work in Canada again.
How to Make Canada Visa Picture Online Free
When submitting your Canada visa application on paper, you must submit a visa photo that meets the government photo requirements. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money at the photo booth, you can take a free Canada visa photo at home. You must learn these basic Canada visa picture requirements:
- The size of the photo for a Canada visa must be at least 35 x 45mm, 3.5 x 4.5 mm, or 13/8 x 13/4 inch.
- The background should be plain and light grey. No patterns, objects, or other people.
- The head must cover 80% of the photo, which should be between 31 mm and 36 mm or 1.2 to 1.4 inches in the photo.
- Keep a neutral facial expression with your eyes open and your mouth closed. Do not smile or frown.
- Lighting must be sufficient and even. No shadow on the face or background.
- Do not wear sunglasses, tinted glasses, or other large-frame glasses that may cover your eyes.
Once you know the basic Canada visa photo, you can follow these steps to get a compliant visa photo at home.
Take a photo in the right place
You should find a plain grey wall with a well-lit and natural light when you take a photo.
Prepare a high-quality mobile phone
You should use a cell phone with a high-resolution lens. You can ask your friend to take a photo or set it with the tripod about 1.2 meters from the background.
Show the proper expression
Maintain a neutral facial expression. Don’t close your eyes or open your mouth. Then you can take more photos.
Crop Photo to Canada Visa Photo Size Online
Resizing your photo to Canada visa photo size is easy if you use an online passport photo editor. Powered by advanced AI technology, AiPassportPhotos can turn your photo into a Canada visa photo that meets the official government requirements.
With a single click, our photo editor will automatically detect the face, change the background color and resize and perform the compliance check.
Can I Bring My Family to Canada with a Work Visa?
Yes, you can bring your family to Canada on a work visa. However, they are not included in your visa application. Your family members need to apply for their open work permit separately if they want to live and work with you.
How Much Is the Cost of Living in Canada for OFWs?
The cost of living in Canada will depend on where you live. For example, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is CAD 1,200 to CAD 2,500. Monthly utilities such as electricity, water, or garbage will range from CAD 150 to CAD 200. Transportation will cost you CAD 150 per month.
Additional Tips on Hunting Jobs in Canada for Filipinos with Visa Sponsorship
If you are currently Filipino and want to find a job in Canada, there are some tips you can follow:
- Use the job search website, such as Job Bank, or Indeed.
- Ask a friend who works in Canada for job advice and work visa suggestions.
- Update and tailor your resume to meet Canadian companies’ standards.
- Meet eligibility requirements and prepare all required documents for the work visa application.
- You can attend job fairs and recruitment events.
- You should pass the language test to meet the basic level of conversation.
FAQ
Is it difficult to get a Canadian work visa?
It will depend on your circumstances. If you have met all the criteria and followed careful instructions, it will not be difficult for you to obtain a work visa.
Do I need proof of funds for a Canada work permit?
Yes, you will need to provide proof that you have enough money to support yourself in Canada when applying for a Canadian work permit.
What is the difference between a work visa and a work permit in Canada?
A work visa is a travel document that allows you to enter Canada for work. However, the work permit is the document that authorizes you to work legally while in Canada.
Can I apply Canadian work permit without an employer?
Yes, you can apply for a work permit in Canada without an employer, if you are a recent graduate of a Canadian Designated Learning Institution or a dependent family member of someone who applied for PR in Canada.
What to do if my Canada work visa application is rejected?
If your Canada work visa application is rejected, you can carefully review the reasons for the refusal and seek professional advice. After you have addressed any issues raised in the decision letter, you can reapply with additional supporting documentation.
Conclusion
All in all, the Canadian visa application process might be complex and difficult. You should carefully check the application requirements and prepare complete documentation to avoid any potential rejection. With this detailed guide on Canada work visas, we hope that you can successfully obtain a work visa in Canada. Enjoy the journey.
Dolores Xiao