If you are a skilled worker looking to relocate to Canada, you may wonder if finding jobs in Canada without a work permit is possible?

With over 100 immigration programs to choose from, the Canadian government strives to make the immigration process as simple as possible by ensuring that these programs meet various needs and circumstances.

It’s worth noting that most applicants will require a work permit to immigrate to Canada. But don’t worry about it. We’ll go over some of the immigration programs you can apply for that will lead to you obtaining a work permit in Canada to live and work there.

But first, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPC) define “work” as “an activity for which wages are paid, or commission is earned, or that competes directly with activities of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the Canadian labor market.”

The following are definitions for the terms mentioned above:

Wages or commission:

The employer pays a payment or remuneration to a foreign national for performing specific tasks or providing a service.

What exactly is meant by “a direct competitor activity”?

The officer will determine whether the activity is one that a Canadian or permanent resident can engage in or whether a foreign national will engage in any business considered competitive in the Canadian marketplace.

If the answer is ‘yes,’ the applicant’s activities in Canada will be considered work. Depending on the nature or circumstances of the applicant, foreign nationals may be able to work in Canada without a work permit.

The following are some scenarios in which foreign nationals can find work in Canada without a work permit:

• Business Visitors
• Foreign Representatives and their Dependents
• Armed Forces Personnel
• Foreign Government Employees
• Officers of American Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement.
• Flight Security Officers
• On-Campus Employment
• Performers
• Team Members and Athletes
• News reporters and media personnel
• Public Speakers
• Convention Planners
• Clergy Judges, Referees, and Other Associated Officials
• Evaluators and Examiners
• Investigators and expert witnesses
• Students of Health Care
• Inspectors of Civil Aviation or Accident Investigators
• Crew Emergency Service Providers
• Status was maintained

Is It Possible to Immigrate to Canada without a Work Permit?

Is it possible to find work in Canada without a work permit? Yes, the answer is yes. There is a way around this if you want to move to Canada without a work permit. Is your occupation not on the list of those who are authorized to live and work in Canada without a work permit? If you answered yes, you could apply for the following immigration options:

Express Entry

Express Entry is a point-based online system that produces faster immigration results for people who want to live and work in Canada. The system filters and manages skilled worker and permanent resident applications in Canada. The candidates with the most points will be invited to apply (ITA).

Three immigration programs are part of the system. These are the following: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST).

Eligibility Criteria for Each Program Through The Express Entry System

FSW (Federal Skilled Worker):

Applicants for this program must be skilled workers who demonstrate work experience, language ability (English or French), and education. Foreign nationals would also have to demonstrate that they have a valid job offer in Canada and can adapt to the working culture.

FST (Federal Skilled Trades):

If you are a skilled worker, you may be wondering if it is possible to find work in Canada without a work permit. Then this is the program for you. The program is intended for skilled workers seeking permanent residency in Canada. Eligible applicants will be chosen based on their ability to demonstrate trade qualifications. Applicants will be evaluated based on their language skills, which should include reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Regarding work experience, candidates should have two years of experience in the specific trade they’re applying for within the previous five years.

CEC (Canadian Experience Class):

This program is designed for skilled workers with Canadian work experience who want to become permanent residents. Skilled workers must have one year of professional work experience, which must be demonstrated in the three years preceding the application. Candidates are also evaluated on their ability to demonstrate proficiency in English or French.

Consider the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) as additional immigration options. These programs are designed to make the immigration process easier for people who want to move to Canada but do not have a work permit.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program seeks workers with the necessary skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the province’s economy. A province or territory will select individuals based on their expertise in areas where locals fall short. Remember that each province has its streams that target different groups, such as students or skilled workers.

Can I find work in Canada without a PNP work permit?

Absolutely. The PNP stream you apply to determines whether you must submit a paper or an online application. Regardless of the province or territory in Canada to which they apply, all applicants must undergo a medical exam and provide a police clearance.

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

This is an opportunity for people who want to live permanently in Canada and travel within and around the country. Do you want to live and work in Canada’s maritime provinces while learning about the various cities’ cultures? Visit New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada’s Atlantic provinces.

The AIP, which replaced the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), will allow immigrants to fill jobs that residents of the province could not.