Do you want to establish yourself in Canada but you don’t know where to start? Do you worry recent immigration measures? Follow our guide to see more clearly and plan your expatriation in the country of the Arce leaf!
Key points
- To configure in Canada, there are two main options available to you: the temporary route, which requires obtaining a Work permit or studiesand the permanent form, which leads to the state of Permanent resident. Whatever the chosen option, it is essential to anticipate immigration procedures to maximize their possibilities for
success. - If you want to work in Canada, you must You must get a work permitWhatever the directed work or the province where it plans to settle. This rule also applies if you plan to make an internship. There are many work permits programs, accessible according to its profile, the chosen province and the job offer it has received.
- Since the fall of 2024, several immigration measures have followed each other, Complete the obtaining or renewal of the statutes For some professions.
Get a work permit: Where to start?
The first step to get a work permit is to get a job in Canada. Your future employer will have to carry out certain steps and pay compliance costs before you can submit your permission application.
In most cases, this leads to a “Closed” work permitthat authorizes it to work only for the employer and in the specified position at the request, in accordance with the conditions declared to the authorities. If you want to change jobs or employer, you will have to do a New license application.
However, there are certain exceptions, in particular the possibility of obtaining a “Open” work permit. This type of permit allows you to work for the employer and in the position of your choice (subject to the usual restrictions), with the freedom to change work provided that your license remains valid.
Among the open permits, we find the work holiday permit (PVT) and certain permits for spouses. However, these options are not accessible to all and are subject to specific eligibility criteria.
Closed work permit: Understand specificities
There are two main categories of closed work permit:
- Permissions subject to a IMPACT EVALUATION IN THE LABOR MARKET (EIMT). In Quebec, obtaining a QUBEC (CAQ) acceptance certificate It is also required.
- License Exempt from EIMTThey offer a more flexible procedure.
EIMT work permits
Obtaining a work permit provided by EIMT is simpler and faster for employers and their candidates. The steps are lightened, Reduced costs and processing times shorter Only with an EIMT.
If you are less than 35 years old, it could be eligible for International Canada (EIC), a program open to 36 nationalities that allows you to obtain a working permit for a maximum duration of 24 months. Currently, processing times are approximately 9 weeks.
Another alternative : If you plan to settle outside Quebec. The French mobility program -Speaking is an interesting option. It allows Francophones to work in Canada (excluding Quebec) with a work permit generally valid for 24 months. From France, requesting applications takes about two months.
In addition, certain free trade agreements also allow to benefit from an exemption from EIMT under certain conditions.
Work permits subject to EIMT
When requesting a work permit that requires an EIMT, two essential criteria come into play: salary and employment place.
The salary offered determines the type of EIMT required. It is compared to the medium reference salary (with respect to immigration) of the province in question:
- In Quebec, this salary is currently established at $ 32.96/hour.
- In Ontario, it is $ 34.07/hour.
A paid work below this threshold is considered low wages, while an earlier work is defined as in a high salary.
The possibility of sending an EIMT application also depends on the Metropolitan Census Region (RMR) Where is the work? Since September 26, 2024, it has not been No more possible To send an EIMT application for a low salary position in RMRs where the unemployment rate exceeds 6 %. This rule also applies to work permits renovations. Reference rates are updated four times a year.
However, certain sectors and health are exempt from this restriction. On the other hand, the maximum duration of a work permit subject to EIMT for low -plane employment is now limited to 12 months, which complicates its renewal once in Canada.
What state for the accompanying family?
Until January 21, 2025, the de facto spouses or spouses of a foreign worker (with 12 months of common life in the same direction), could obtain an open work permit (PTO) of a duration equivalent to that of the main applicant.
Since then, eligibility conditions have been strongly. From now on, only spouses of certain foreign workers can still benefit from it. If your spouse is eligible, the duration of your license will be equivalent to that of yours.
These new rules apply to new applications, as well as to renovations.
Can your spouse get an open work permit?
For your spouse to be eligible, you must meet certain conditions:
- Maintain a valid work permit At least 16 months at the time of the application;
- Soccupation of a CNP category work (National Profession Classification):
- FEER 0 O 1 : Qualified works according to immigration criteria (all professions Feer 0 or 1)
- Feer 2 O 3 : Only the professions Feer 2 or 3 that appear in the list established by the authorities
In addition, if you have dependent children, know that you can no longer get an open work permit in this regard. On the other hand, they can always obtain a visiting sheet or a study permit, which allows to be educated.
What are the exceptions?
If it is covered by a free trade agreement or is being obtained from the permanent residence, your partner is not affected by these new restrictions.
If you are a foreign student, can your spouse get an open work permit?
Your spouse can be eligible for an open work permit if you are registered with:
- A master program of at least 16 months
- A doctoral program
- One of the 11 eligible health, law, education or engineering programs
- One of the 2 pilot programs that also allow registered students to obtain a PTO
In other words, if your spouse cannot obtain an open work permit, All will have to adopt their own immigration approaches.
This means, for example, that both will have to find a job and each obtain a closed work permit.
And after the work permit?
If you want to settle in Canada permanently, you will have to present a Permanent residence application. There are several programs, some are exclusive in Quebec.
The regular course in Quebec: the Quebec (PEQ) experience program
In Quebec, the main route to permanent residence is the QUBEC (PEQ) experience program. It allows foreign workers to send a request for a Quebec (CSQ) selection certificate, then permanent residence at the federal level, provided there are 24 months of full -time employment.
Temporary suspension of certain alternatives
If you are a worker or a student and do not meet the criteria of the PEQ, the options are currently limited. From October 31, 2024 until June 30, 2025, Quebec suspended :
- Le PEQ – Quebec Postgraduate Component
- The qualified workers’ selection program (PSTQ), which allowed candidates not eligible for the PEQ to request the permanent residence in Quebec.
MAINTENANCE OF THE MIGRATORY STATE: AN OBLIGATION
Whatever your situation, you must Always keep a valid immigration stateeven in progress for permanent residence. This implies in particular to renew your work permit on time.
Note that since December 24, 2024, The practice of the “Torre de la Pole” is no longer an option. This method allowed workers to renew or modify their immigration status briefly leaving Canada through the US border before returning to it to request a new status.
From now on, all requests must onlinewith minimum treatment times of six months.
Anticipate your procedures to avoid the expiration of your status and any complication!
And elsewhere in Canada?
The Express Input Program is a selection system designed to quickly process your immigration application if you are a qualified worker who wants to establish it permanently in Canada. It allows you to obtain a state of permanent resident and applies to all provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec.
A great advantage as a Frenchman : It will benefit from additional points in the classification system, thus increasing its possibilities of being invited to send a permanent residence application.
This program is divided into three components:
- The qualified workers program, if you have training and professional experience in a demand field.
- The specialized trades workers program has recognized the experience in a manual or technical profession.
- The Canadian experience category, if you have already acquired professional experience in Canada as a worker or foreign student.
In summary
Recent reforms have restricted access to certain permanent permits and programs, and elongated processing times.
If you plan to work in Canada in 2025, a Rigorous planning is crucial. The eligibility criteria are now stricter, but be French It is still a precious advantage. To maximize its chances of success, the use of a regulated professional can be useful. Take the time to choose the immigration program adapted to your profile, anticipate the steps and stay in search of the many changes!
