In order for foreign individuals to move to Canada, they should first secure a work visa under the sponsorship of a Canadian employer. A work permit grants the right to live temporarily in Canada, but it is not intended to allow for possible immigration or permanent residence. The number and type of work permits issued are mainly based on the local labour needs. The Canadian work permit does not require a certain points threshold, unlike other types of visa, instead, it is the sponsorship of a Canadian employer that matters most in gaining approval.
Work permits are not transferable, so each foreign worker must apply for a personal visa in order to move to Canada. An individual’s immigration status can be changed during the lifetime of a work permit. When considering dependents, a work visa also allows them to move to Canada along with the principal holder. However, dependents must secure work visas for themselves in order to work in Canada.
To apply for a work permit, you must wait for the announcement of the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) concerning the availability of overseas job openings. You then send your visa request to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and if your prospective employer is in Quebec, you also need to secure approval from the provincial immigration authority.
There are certain professionals who can enter Canada, albeit for only a brief stay, without a work visa. They include airline inspectors, expert witnesses and investigators, government representatives or diplomats, reporters and flight attendants.