To come to Sarnia-Lambton as a temporary foreign worker, you must get a work permit. There are different kinds of work permits.
If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you need a work permit to work legally in Canada.
In general, you need to apply for a work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or a Canadian visa office before you come to Canada. For these work permits:
- You need to get a job offer from a Canadian employer before you apply.
- The employer must apply for a labour market opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC).
- HRSDC will decide whether the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- have a valid passport or other travel document issued by their country of residence
- be in good health (a medical exam may be required)
- provide proof that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Canada
- demonstrate that their stay in Canada is temporary
- not have a criminal record, nor be considered a security risk
There are special work permits for some kinds of workers. For example, there are special work permit programs for live-in caregivers, business people and agricultural workers.
For more information, go to Working Temporarily in Canada on the CIC website
More Information:
Work Permits
- Work Permits program issues work permits to eligible foreign workers who wish to work temporarily in Canada, provides information on the related application process, and issues visitor records to business visitors.
Delivered by: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
Eligibility Information
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- have a valid passport or other travel document issued by their country of residence
- be in good health (a medical exam may be required)
- provide proof that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Canada
- demonstrate that their stay in Canada is temporary
- not have a criminal record, nor be considered a security risk
Other criteria may apply.
In most cases, foreign workers must have obtained a labour market opinion from their potential employer before applying for a work permit.
In most cases, foreign workers who are coming from countries that are not visa exempt must also obtain a Temporary Resident Visa, which is usually issued along with the work permit.
Application Information
Application Form for a Work Permit
Financial Information
- There is a processing fee of $150 for work permit applications.
Contact Information
- General Inquiries: 1-888-242-2100
- TTY: 1-888-576-8502
Related Information
- The program also issues work permits to the spouses and common-law partners of work permit and study permit holders in Canada, which enable them to work during their spouse’s or partner’s term of employment or studies.
- Foreign workers in certain categories may be allowed to work temporarily in Canada without a work permit.
- Individuals who are already legally in Canada as temporary residents (i.e. visitors, students or workers) and who wish to extend their stay in Canada, or change the conditions of their stay, must contact CIC for information on specific application requirements.
Working temporarily in Canada: Who can apply
Some temporary workers require a work permit and some do not. For some categories of workers, permits are approved more quickly.
The requirements and processing times depend on the sort of work you will do when you come to Canada.
Read the information under What you should know and Eligibility to apply to find out if you need a work permit or if you are in a special category where a work permit may not be necessary or is approved differently.
- Remember, even if you do not need a work permit, you may need to meet other requirements. Read the information carefully.
- There is a difference between coming to Canada as a business visitor and coming to Canada as a business person. For information about coming to Canada as a business visitor, see Jobs that do not require a work permit. For information about coming to Canada as a business person, see Special categories.
