A Temporary Work visa is a popular choice for applicants who wish to come to work and live in Canada as soon as possible and over 178,000 Temporary Work visas were issued in 2009. This visa will allow applicants to work and live in Canada, and gain Canadian work experience.

• International Experience Canada (IEC) Youth Exchange Programs

Canada's International Exchange Program visa allows eligible foreign students and young workers from designated countries to work and live in Canada temporarily in order to learn new skills and gain valuable exposure to the Canadian culture. The programs vary from country to country and are managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Many of these programs offer a first-come first-served processing rule, while some programs have a limited number of spaces each year. Each program maintains its own requirements, application quotas, submission deadlines and upper age limits, and applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis. Last year, over 50,000 applicants used these programs to come to work and live in Canada.

There may also be conditions attached to the visa which may limit the type of work and the employer for whom the applicant may work. Once granted, the visa holder can vacation and travel in Canada, explore the diverse country, and engage in temporary work to supplement their travel expenses.

International Experience Canada (Iec) Basic Visa Requirements

In order to qualify for a Working Holiday visa, applicants must depending on the program.

• Be a citizen of an eligible country such as; Austria, Australia, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and USA.
• Hold a valid passport from a country which has a reciprocal arrangement with Canada;
• Be aged between 18-35 years of age at the time of the application(depending on the relevant program);
• Be a full-time student in some cases, possess no criminal convictions or serious medical conditions; and
• Have private health insurance and sufficient funds for their intended stay; and
• Additional conditions as applicable to each program.

International Experience Canada (Iec) Visa Entitlements

Once an International Experience Canada visa has been issued, applicants are generally provided with assistance on organizing their trip, job search, assistance and orientation in Canada upon arrival, accommodation arrangement and support. The duration of the visa will usually vary between 1-24 months. Applicants can also pursue language, general interest of self-improvement studies. An International Experience Canada visa is an invaluable opportunity for young people to explore all that Canada has to offer. Applications are accepted on a yearly basis, on a first-come first-served basis. Some visas are issued as a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, while others allow for repeat participation. Temporary work permit holders can extend their stay in Canada by applying for another visa, during their stay

• Temporary Work Visa Canada

A Temporary Work visa is a popular choice for applicants who wish to come to work and live in Canada as soon as possible and over 178,000 Temporary Work visas were issued in 2009. This visa will allow applicants to work and live in Canada, and gain Canadian work experience. The Federal government's expansive Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows eligible foreign workers to work in Canada for an authorized period of time if their employers can demonstrate that they are unable to find suitable Canadians/permanent residents to fill the jobs and that the entry of these workers will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market.

Foreign workers for all types of businesses and with a wide range of skills can be recruited to meet temporary labour shortages. Once granted, work visa holder will be allowed to come and work in Canada for the designated employer in the specified role. Accompanying partners and children may also be eligible to work and study.

Temporary Work Basic Visa Requirements

Some temporary workers require a work visa and some do not. For some categories of workers, visas are approved more quickly. The requirements and processing times depend on the sort of work the applicant will do when they come to Canada.

To be employed in Canada, foreign workers must generally obtain a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from Service Canada, unless the work category is exempt from the LMO process. A Labour Market Opinion confirms that the Canadian employer is authorised to employ a foreign worker. Thereafter, foreign workers must generally apply for a work visa at a Canadian visa office abroad. Depending on the type of work they will undertake in Canada and where they have resided in the last year, foreign workers may also require a medical examination before entering Canada.

Temporary Work Visa Entitlements

Once a Temporary Work visa has been issued, a Temporary Worker visa holder will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 6 months and 2 years. The spouse and children may also be eligible to work and study during the stay. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to extend the Temporary Work visa for workers seeking to continue working in Canada.

A Foreign Worker may also be eligible to have their application for permanent residence processed during their temporary stay in Canada, allowing them to become permanent residents of Canada, once the application is approved.

• Live-In Caregiver Work Visa Canada

This widely-used program allows applicants to come to Canada to work and live with a Canadian family, earn Canadian experience, and become eligible to apply within Canada for permanent residence after 2 years of employment in Canada. Once granted, live-in caregivers are given the opportunity to work and live with a Canadian family for up to 4 years and 3 months.

Live-in caregivers are individuals who are qualified to provide care for children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities in private homes without supervision. Live-in caregivers must live in the private home where they work in Canada, while gaining valuable work experience.

Live-In Caregiver Work Visa Requirements

A Live-in Caregiver Work visa allows applicants with at least 6 months of training or at least 12 months of work experience to file an application. They must also meet some additional requirements detailed below.

Applicants require:

• A job confirmation letter from a Canadian employer;
• A written contract with the future employer including certain mandatory provisions;
• Successful completion of the equivalent of Canadian secondary school, at least six months' training, or at least one year of full-time paid experience (including six months with one employer) during the past three years.

In addition, they must have a good command of either English or French. Training and experience in the areas of geriatric care, early childhood care, paediatric nursing or first aid care are all considered useful.

Live-In Caregiver Work Visa Entitlements

Live-in Caregivers are allowed to live and work in Canada for a one-year period, which can be renewed for up to 4 years and 3 months. While usually tied to a specific employer, it may be possible for applicants to change employers during their stay in Canada. Once live-in caregivers have accumulated at least 2 years of Canadian work experience, they can then apply for an open work permit allowing them to work for any employer and apply for their Canadian permanent residence.

Applicants can apply for an open work permit at the same time that they apply for permanent resident status. They can also include immediate family members in their application for permanent resident status and obtain permanent resident status at the same time with the family members.

• Information Technology Workers Visa Canada

The dynamic Information Technology (IT) Workers visa allows the processing of visa applications for skilled professionals in the software industry seeking to gain valuable Canadian work experience on a temporary basis. The Information Technology Work visa allows applicants with the required education and experience in the specified products or technologies applying for specific jobs to apply under this versatile program.

Applicants must be able to communicate in English or French, and provide evidence of sufficient experience in the specified IT industries and specified products or technologies. Once approved, applicants will be allowed to be issued a work permit. Applicants are also eligible for work permit renewals.

Information Technology Workers Visa Requirements

In order to apply for the Information Technology Workers visa, applicants must provide confirmation of possessing the required education and experience in the specified products or technologies required for the occupation. Applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in working in an English and/or French work environment.

Information Technology Workers Visa Entitlements

Once an Information Technology Workers visa has been issued, applicants will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 6 months and 2 years. Their spouse and children may be eligible to work and study during the stay. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to extend the temporary work permit if they wish to continue working in Canada. An Information Technology Workers visa may assist them towards permanent residence. A permanent residence application may be processed in tandem, which could allow to work and stay in Canada while their application is in process.

• Low-Skill Pilot Project Visa Canada

The Low-Skill Pilot Project visa is an ideal option for workers seeking to work temporarily in occupations that usually require at most a high school diploma or a maximum of 2 years of job-specific training. This exciting and versatile program seeks to fill immediate labour shortages where there is demonstrable shortage of Canadians available for occupations requiring lower levels of formal training.

Once granted, the Low-Skill Pilot Project allows the temporary entry of foreign workers into Canada to work in lower-skilled occupations deemed in demand for the duration specified on the work permit, gain Canadian work experience and obtain a renewal for a stay of up to 2 years in Canada.

Low-Skill Pilot Project Visa Requirements

In order to acquire a Low-Skill Pilot Project visa, applicants will require a job offer from a Canadian employer in an occupation deemed to be in a low-skill. The offer of employment must outline:

• Wages, duties and working conditions;
• Benefits relating to transportation costs,
• Medical coverage in Canada and coverage for the appropriate provincial workers compensation plan.

In Canada, lower-skilled occupations are defined as occupations that usually require at most a high school diploma or a maximum of 2 years of job-specific training. Certain advertising and recruitment efforts must be satisfied. Applicants must meet the requirements for temporary residence as well as the requirements for issuance of the work permit including the required education, experience and licensing required by the offer of employment.

Low-Skill Pilot Project Visa Entitlements

Once a Low-Skill Pilot Project visa has been issued, applicants will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 6 months and 2 years. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to extend the Low-Skill Pilot Project visa if they wish to continue working in Canada for a maximum duration of 24 months. Applicants are required to leave Canada at the end of their work permit and at most after 24 months in Canada, unless they apply for an extension or a new work permit.

• Off-Campus Work Visa Canada

In a continued effort to retain the best and brightest foreign workers in Canada, the Off-Campus Work visa was created to allow full-time students enrolled in designated public post-secondary institutions to work part-time off-campus under an authorized work permit. This temporary work permit for foreign students in Canada now allows students to take advantage of the many varied employment opportunities without the requirement of a specific job offer or having a set of required credentials or experience.

Once granted, students will be eligible to work up to 20 hours a week off-campus for any employer in any occupation. In addition, they will be eligible to work full-time during school breaks and holidays. In addition, this visa may assist applicants in obtaining permanent residence while in Canada.

Off-Campus Work Visa Requirements

Foreign students may take advantage of this temporary work permit if they satisfy the following requirements:

• Possess a valid study permit and continue to fulfill the terms and conditions of the study permit and work permit, once issued;
• Have studied full-time and maintained satisfactory academic standing in a specific program of study at a participating institution for at least six out of the twelve months preceding the application to work off campus;
• Continue to remain registered as a full-time student in a program of study other than English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL); and
• Continue to fulfill the terms and conditions of the study permit and work permit, if applicable.

Off-Campus Work Visa Entitlements

Once the Off-Campus Work visa has been issued, the applicant will be allowed to work in Canada for the validity period for up to 20 hours per week during any academic sessions and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, during winter and summer holidays, reading week).

Applicants will be allowed to work in any occupation and change their employment at any time. This visa does not guarantee that they will find a job and it is the applicant's responsibility to look for work. Even if they work off-campus, their studies must be the main reason they are in Canada. Spouses and children may be eligible to work and study during the stay. An Off-Campus Work visa may assist them towards permanent residence and may be processed in tandem, which could allow applicants to stay in Canada once the application has been approved.

• Partner Of Work/Study Permit Holder Visa Canada

In a continued effort to retain the best and brightest foreign workers in Canada, the Partner of Work/Study Permit visa was created to allow eligible spouses/partners to be employed in Canada while they accompany their partners with Canadian work/study visas.

The Partner of Work/Study Permit Holder visa now allows accompanying partners and spouses to take advantage of the many exciting employment opportunities available to foreign workers without requiring a specific job offer or having a set of required credentials or experience. Once granted, work permit holders can take up any position with any employer for the duration of the validity of their work permit.

Partner Of Work/Study Permit Holder Visa Requirements

Applicants may be eligible for a work permit for the duration of validity for their partner's visa. No job offer is required to take advantage of this visa however certain conditions apply. Both the applicant and their partner seeking a work permit under the Partner of Work/Study Permit Holder visa must reside in Canada.

To obtain a visa as a Partner of a Work Permit Holder, the applicant's spouse/partner must be in Canada and possess a valid work permit in an eligible skilled or semi-skilled occupation for at least 6 months. These skills include management, professional, technical or trade occupations.

To obtain a visa as a Partner of a Study Permit Holder, the applicant's spouse/partner must be in Canada and possess a valid study permit and attend a full-time post-secondary institution, which is also a publicly-funded degree or diploma-granting institution.

There is no need for an offer of employment for the applicant seeking a Partner of Work/Study Permit Holder visa. The applicants will generally be issued open work permits which do not restrict the employer or position of employment.

Partner Of Work/Study Permit Holder Visa Entitlements

Once a Partner of Work/Study Permit Holder visa has been issued, applicants will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 6 months and 2 years. Their spouse and children may be eligible to work and study during the stay. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to extend the temporary work permit if they wish to continue working in Canada. A Partner of a Work/Study Permit Holder visa may assist them towards permanent residence and may be processed in tandem, which could allow applicants to stay in Canada once the application has been approved.

• Religious Or Charitable Work Visa Canada

The Religious or Charitable Work visa is a well-suited option for applicants seeking to carry out duties for a Canadian religious or charitable organization. The Religious or Charitable Work visa allows applicants to work and live in Canada, and gain valuable Canadian work experience while receiving temporary admission to Canada. These work visa holders must have the required experience, credentials and skills necessary for the position they intend to hold.

Once granted, the Religious or Charitable Work visa program allows the entry of foreign workers to Canada on a temporary basis to carry out duties for religious or charitable organizations. Working on a Religious or Charitable Work visa may allow applicants to gain eligibility for permanent residence.

Religious Or Charitable Work Visa Requirements

Applicants for this visa must provide documentation supporting the legitimacy of the offer of employment, information about the Canadian employer and their ability to work with or minister to the specified group. They must also meet basic visa requirements such as health and character.

Requirements for work considered charitable or religious, include the following conditions:

• The applicant will receive a stipend for living expenses from the employer;
• The organization which is sponsoring the worker will not receive remuneration from any source for The services to be rendered by the foreign worker; and
• The work to be performed extends beyond normal work provided in the labour market.

Persons seeking to work as clergy and whose employment will consist of the preaching of doctrine, presiding at liturgical functions or providing spiritual counseling as an ordained minister, lay person or member of religious order may also apply for this visa.

Religious Or Charitable Work Visa Entitlements

Once a Religious or Charitable Work visa has been issued, applicants will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 1-37 months. The foreign worker's spouse and dependent children may be eligible in certain cases to work and study during the stay. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to renew or extend the temporary work permit if they wish to continue working in Canada. A Religious or Charitable Work visa may assist them towards permanent residence and may be processed in tandem, which could allow applicants to stay in Canada once the application has been approved.

• Cultural, Academic, Or Research Visa Canada

Canada seeks to foster the development of international ties and a strong and vibrant artistic and educational community. Canada has one of the most culturally diverse demographics in the world. Therefore, persons seeking to work temporarily in Canada in an exciting occupation relating to the arts, the academic or teaching sector, or research in Canada might require this visa.

Successful applicants will be rewarded with excellent opportunities for growth, exchange and the opportunity to work with professionals in their chosen fields. Once granted, this dynamic visa allows temporary work permit holders to work and live in Canada for designated period of times as specified on their work permit. This visa may assist applicants towards their eligibility for a Skilled Worker visa for permanent residency.

Cultural, Academic Or Research Visa Basic Requirements

In order to apply for the Artistic and Performing Arts visa, applicants must possess an offer of employment in an eligible occupation, have the required experience, skills and meet additional basic visa requirements. Requirements will vary from case to case according to the occupation, the offer of employment and various other specifics. Various sub-categories of visas are outlined below.

The Workers in Film, Entertainment & Performing Arts stream allows the timely handling of applications for workers in film and entertainment. The entry of such foreign workers allows the entry of unique international talent to Canada and the support of cultural exchange.

The Foreign Academics stream allows qualified foreign academics to be employed for degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in Canada and encourage the exchange of knowledge and expertise throughout Canadian campuses.

The Academic Exchanges stream allows exchanges and mobility at the post-graduate level for persons such as Guest Lecturers, teachers and visiting professors.

Cultural, Academic Or Research Visa Entitlements

Once a Cultural, Academic or Research visa has been issued, applicants will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 6 months and 2 years. Spouses and children may be eligible to work and study during the stay. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to extend the temporary work permit if they wish to continue working in Canada. A Cultural, Academic or Research visa may assist applicants towards permanent residence and may be processed in tandem, which could allow applicants to stay in Canada once the application has been approved.

• International Free Trade Agreements Visa Canada

As a signatory to many international agreements, Canada enjoys the unique mobility of workers who satisfy the conditions outlined in the various agreements and foster trade, exchange of skills, labour and encourage mobility through the American continent.

Suitable applicants are provided with expedited handling of their visas, generally without the requirement of assessment by Service Canada. Once granted a versatile International Agreements visa, foreign workers are given the opportunity to work and live in Canada for the duration specified on their work permit and may be admissible to apply for permanent residency during the term of their stay.

International Free Trade Agreements Visa Requirements

The four (4) main international free trade agreements used by applicants are outlined below.

With the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), citizens of Canada, the United States and Mexico can gain quicker and easier temporary entry into the three countries to conduct business or investment activities. Business people covered by NAFTA must, however, comply with the general provisions on temporary entry to Canada. NAFTA applies to business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors.

With the General Agreement on Trade Services (GATS), Canada has committed to making it easier for certain business people who are Foreign Service providers in certain sectors to access the Canadian market. GATS applies to service providers from more than 140 World Trade Organization member countries. GATS also applies to business visitors, professionals and intra-company transferees.

The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) has been modeled after NAFTA and makes it easier for Canadian and Chilean citizens to temporarily enter each of the two countries and applies to business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors.

The Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) has been modeled after NAFTA and makes it easier for Canadian and Peruvian citizens to temporarily enter each of the two countries and applies to business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and technicians.

International Free Trade Agreements Visa Entitlements

Once an International Free Trade Agreements visa has been issued, the applicant will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 3 months to 7 years. Their spouse and children may be eligible to work and study during their stay. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to extend the temporary work permit if the applicant wishes to continue working in Canada. An International Agreements visa may assist them towards permanent residence and may be processed in tandem, which could allow them to stay in Canada once the application has been approved.

• Post-Graduation Work Visa Canada

Citizenship and Immigration Canada's novel Post-Graduation Work visa provides eligible foreign students graduating from a participating post-secondary Canadian institution with the thrilling opportunity to gain Canadian work experience related to their field of studies.

Once granted, work permit holders can gain Canadian experience and put their recently gained knowledge to use in the Canadian labour market. They may also be eligible for the new Canadian Experience Class program for permanent residence. A work permit under the Post-Graduation Work visa is granted for the duration equating up to the length of a student's study program.

Post-Graduation Work Visa Basic Requirements

To be eligible for a work permit under this program, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Possess a valid study permit;
• Have studied full-time and maintained satisfactory academic standing in their program of study at a participating institution for at least eight months preceding their application to for a post-graduation work visa; Have graduated from an eligible institution and have applied for a work permit within 90 days of receiving confirmation of meeting the requirements for completing the requirements for the program;
• Have applied for the off-campus work permit program at a participating institution;
• Continue to fulfill the terms and conditions of their study permit and work permit, if applicable.

Applicants from non-eligible Canadian institutions cannot participate in this program.

Post-Graduation Work Visa Entitlements

Once a Post-Graduation Work visa has been issued, applicants will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 8 months and 3 years. Their spouse and children may be eligible to work and study during the stay. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to extend the visa if they wish to continue working in Canada.

A Post-Graduation Work visa may assist applicants towards permanent residence and may be processed in tandem, which could allow applicants the opportunity to stay in Canada once the application has been approved.