How Ukrainians can get a work permit in Canada
Canada is a popular destination for labor migrants, but employment for Ukrainians in Canada requires a Work Permit. Below is a detailed guide explaining the process, types of permits, required documents and key details to successfully obtain a work permit in Canada.
Does a Ukrainian citizen need a work permit to work in Canada?
Yes, most Ukrainians need a work permit to work in Canada.
However, there are cases when a work permit is NOT required, for example:
- Students from Ukraine (if they have a study permit that includes the right to work).
- Diplomats and other categories covered by international agreements.
- Short-term specialists such as artists, athletes or scientists (under certain conditions).
If you are not sure whether you need a work permit, check the official website Canada.ca.
Does a work permit allow Ukrainians to enter Canada?
No, a work permit itself does not give the right to enter Canada. It only allows Ukrainians to work in the country.
If a Ukrainian citizen plans to leave and return to Canada, he/she will need to:
1. Work permit - confirms the right to work in Canada.
2. Valid passport - must be valid for the entire period of stay.
3. Visa or eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
Types of work permits in Canada for Ukrainians
1. Employer-specific work permit (Employer-specific work permit)
This permit is issued for a specific employer and includes:
- Name of the employer.
- Position and working conditions.
- The validity period of the permit.
How can Ukrainian citizens obtain it?
1. Find an employer in Canada who is willing to hire a citizen of Ukraine.
2. The employer must obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
3. After receiving the LMIA, Ukrainian citizens can apply for a work permit.
2. Open work permit
This permit is not tied to a specific employer, which gives more flexibility to Ukrainians.
Who can get it?
- Husbands/wives of students or employees.
- Graduates of Canadian educational institutions (PGWP).
- Refugees and persons with humanitarian status.
How can Ukrainian citizens obtain it?
Apply for an open work permit together with supporting documents.
Validity of a work permit for Ukrainians
The validity of a work permit for Ukrainian citizens depends on several factors:
- Standard duration: usually from 1 to 2 years.
- Passport validity: the permit cannot exceed the validity of the Ukrainian passport.
- LMIA validity: if applicable, the permit cannot exceed the period specified in the LMIA.
Step-by-step guide for Ukrainian citizens to obtain a work permit
Step 1: Find a job in Canada
Where can citizens from Ukraine look for jobs?
If an LMIA is required, a Ukrainian citizen must find an employer willing to receive it!
Step 2: Make sure that the employer has obtained an LMIA (if necessary)
What is LMIA?
This is a labor market assessment confirming that there are no available local workers for the position.
The process of obtaining LMIA:
1. The Canadian employer applies for an LMIA with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
2. The employer must prove that they have made attempts to hire Canadian workers.
3. If the LMIA is positive, the employer transfers it to the Ukrainian citizen to apply for a work permit.
Step 3: Gather the necessary documents
Required documents for Ukrainians to obtain a work permit:
- Valid passport (must cover the entire period of the permit).
- A job offer letter.
- LMIA (if required).
- Documents on education and qualifications.
- Medical examination (depends on the country of residence and position).
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Payment of the fee (CAD 155).
- Biometrics (fingerprints, photo).
Step 4: Apply for a work permit
Where can Ukrainian citizens apply?
- Online through the Canada.ca website.
- Through a visa center in Ukraine or the nearest country.
Processing time: 1 to 6 months (depending on the type of permit and the applicant's country).
Checking the status of your work permit application
You can track the status of your application in the following ways:
- Online application: check the status through your IRCC account.
- Paper application: once submitted, it can be linked to an online account for easy tracking.
Step 5: Obtaining a work permit and entering Canada
After approval:
1. You will receive a Port of Entry letter to present at the border.
2. The border officer will issue a physical work permit.
What do Ukrainians need to have when entering Canada?
- Proof of work permit.
- A valid passport.
- Documents confirming financial solvency.
- Copy of LMIA (if required).
- Health insurance (if required).
Conditions for using a work permit in Canada for Ukrainians
A physical work permit contains certain conditions depending on its type. They may include:
1. Type of work: what kind of work a Ukrainian citizen can perform.
2. Place of work: region or province of Canada.
3. Employer: the name of the company or organization.
4. Duration of work: the period of validity of the permit.
All work permit holders, including Ukrainians, are prohibited from working in establishments where there is a risk of sexual exploitation of workers.
Since a work permit does not grant permanent resident status, Ukrainian citizens must leave Canada upon its expiration. However, if Ukrainians wish to stay in Canada permanently, there are immigration programs that can help.
How can Ukrainians transition from a temporary work permit to permanent residence?
If Ukrainians have been working in Canada, they can apply for permanent residence (PR).
The main options for citizens from Ukraine are:
- Express Entry (CEC - Canadian Experience Class) - for workers with Canadian work experience.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) - an opportunity to obtain PR through provincial programs.
- Atlantic Immigration Program - for work in the Atlantic provinces.
Including family members in the work permit application for Ukrainians
If a Ukrainian citizen applies for a work permit, his/her family can accompany him/her to Canada under certain conditions.
- Spouse: can apply for an open work permit.
- School-age children: can study without a separate study permit.
Extension of work permit for Ukrainians in Canada
If your work permit is about to expire, you can apply for an extension.
Application deadline: it is recommended to apply at least 30 days before the expiration of your current permit.
Process: Apply online through your IRCC account.
If Ukrainians apply for an extension before the expiration of their current permit, they are entitled to continue working under the same conditions until a decision is made.
Unless they are visa-exempt, all visitors to Canada require a visitor visa to enter the country, regardless of the type of activities they will pursue once in Canada. Business visitors must therefore apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV), or visitor visa, to come to Canada.
A business visitor is someone who comes to Canada for international business activities, but does not directly enter the Canadian labour market.
Business Visitor Visa and Work Permit
Note that a business visitor visa is different from a Canadian work permit. You cannot enter the Canadian workforce as a business visitor. Business visitor visas are intended to allow short-term stays for business activities such as industry conferences, site visits, or training. If you are transferred to Canada by your company or are otherwise employed by a Canadian company, you will need a work permit. You can come to Canada as a visitor to search for Canadian employment.
However, you cannot legally work in Canada without a work permit. If you secure a job offer from a Canadian employer while in Canada on a visitor visa, you must apply for a work permit before you can begin working. Your application must be processed by the Canadian visa office responsible for the country in which you live or are a citizen, so you may be required to leave Canada during the course of your application processing. However, you can legally remain in Canada for as long as your visitor visa is valid.
How to Apply for a Business Visitor Visa
There is no special visa for business visitors to Canada. Business visitors have to follow the normal application procedure for a visitor visa, or TRV, and will need to indicate that they are entering Canada for international business activities. Business visitors may be required to demonstrate proof of their activities to the border services officer at their port of entry. Some business visitors may be visa-exempt, if they are from visa-exempt countries. In these cases, the individual may still need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) if they arrive in Canada by air. Business visitors may bring family members with them to Canada, but each family member must complete their own visitor visa application.
NAFTA Business Visitors
NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement, reduces barriers between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Under NAFTA, citizens of these countries can gain quick entry into each others’ countries for temporary business or investment reasons. NAFTA business visitors are one category of business people under NAFTA.
Global Talent Stream is a temporary foreign worker program that is designed to attract sought-after, highly skilled individuals to innovative companies in Canada. They are eligible for an expedited work visa.
Program Features
The Global Talent Stream is designed for professionals with unique skills and for certain professions. Employers who wish to hire foreign workers through the GTS program must work with Employment and Social Development Canada, and develop a Labour Market Improvement Plan. The Global Talent Stream is divided into two categories through which Canadian employers can apply.
Category A
Category A is suitable for employers who are referred by designated GTS partners and want to hire employees with unique or highly specialized skills. The list of designated partners includes several dozen organizations across Canada. The unique foreign specialist must be offered a salary of at least $80,000 CAD per year, or $38.46 CAD per hour. The specialist must also demonstrate advanced knowledge and be able to hold a degree in the industry or have at least 5 years of experience.
Category B
The B category is suitable for employers who want to hire highly skilled workers in certain occupations. The list may be updated periodically depending on labor market needs.
How to Apply
An expatriate worker cannot apply to the Global Talent Stream. A Canadian employer must submit an application indicating the foreign worker they want to hire. This means that if you want to get a work permit through GTS, you must first get a job offer from an eligible Canadian employer. Employer applications are usually processed within 10 business days. If the application is successful, the employer will receive a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA), which allows the foreign worker to apply for a work permit. Work permit applications through Global Talent Stream are also eligible for expedited processing (10 business days on average).
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