Canadian Visa Requirements to Work Temporarily

Working in Canada as a foreigner requires that you apply for a temporary work visa. Your visa will be processed faster and has a greater chance of issuance if you fulfill all of the Canadian visa requirements. The following is a list that I gathered to help a foreigner know what documents are needed in order to work temporarily in Canada. 

• Fill out the temporary work visa application form. You can access the application form on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. When filling out the application make sure to use legible hand writing and the English language and alphabet. Fill out every question, making sure not to leave anything blank. If you are not applicable to a question simply write "N/A."

• You will need your Canadian employer to write out a job offer to include in your application package.

• You will need to prove that you meet the requirements of the job that you will be working. This means that you should show proof of a certain number of years of work experience or certain type of education. You need to demonstrate why you are a better fit for the job than a Canadian citizen.

• Have proof of your identity such as a valid passport or travel documents.  If you are applying from within a country that you are not a citizen you must also provide proof that you are in legal immigrant status.

• You must include an Approved Labour Market Opinion (LMO) with your application. This must be processed separately from your visa application. It can be processed at the same time as your visa application if you send a letter to the visa office requesting concurrent processing.
  • You obtain an LMO through your Canadian employer. The LMO approves the job vacancy to be filled by a foreign worker. Your employer will need to get an LMO approval from Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Your employer will send an LMO application to the visa office along with an application processing free that you most likely will provide. You must have a medical examination as part of the LMO application.   As soon as the LMO is approved and given to you by your employer you must send in a copy to the visa office to be included with the rest of your work visa application.