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Working in Canada
The following information will guide you in applying for a Work Permit.
- Do I need a Work Permit?
- How do I apply?
- When should I apply?
- Should I be paying recruitment fees?
- I would like to work in Canada as a Live-in Caregiver.
- I am a Returning Temporary Worker (including Live-in Caregivers)
1. Do I need a Work Permit?
Every year over 90,000 foreign workers enter Canada to work temporarily to help Canadian employers address skill shortages in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSD) ensure that these workers will support economic growth in Canada and create more opportunities for all Canadian job seekers.
In almost all cases you must have a valid Work Permit to work in Canada.
Find out if you need a Work Permit and learn about the requirements for working in Canada.
2. How do I apply?
Download and print the following documents, which are needed to submit an application:
- Application Form (IMM1295B) and instructions from the CIC website
- Specific local instructions for the Philippines (PDF - 113 KB)
- Personal Information Form (PDF - 73 KB)
Submit the correct processing fee.
3. When should I apply?
See our processing times to assist with your planning. Please add one month to the processing time since a medical examination is required.
4. Should I be paying recruitment fees?
Please be aware that workers destined to Canada under the “Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training (NOC C and D)" are prohibited from paying a recruitment fee, a placement fee or for their transportation costs to Canada. Such payments are solely the responsibility of the employer. Payment of these fees by employees contravenes conditions outlined on the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) rendering it invalid. This may lead to refusal of the application for a Work Permit.
Payment of recruitment fees and placement fees by employees are also illegal according to some provincial laws in Canada, such as the Alberta Fair Trading Act and the British Columbia Employment Standards Act.
If you have paid a fee to a recruiter located in the Philippines or in Canada, it is your responsibility to inform your Canadian employer. You and your employer must ensure the conditions of the Labour Market Opinion and all provincial laws have been respected.
5. I would like to work in Canada as a Live-in Caregiver.
Canada’s Live-in Caregiver Program is a unique program under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. It allows someone to enter Canada on a temporary work permit, and then apply from within Canada to become a permanent resident.
Download and print the following documents, which are needed to submit an application:
- Application Form (IMM1295B) and instructions from CIC’s website
- Specific local instructions for the Philippines (PDF 135 KB)*
- Additional Form for Live-in Caregiver (PDF - 68 KB)*
Please include the correct processing fee.
Once your application is complete follow the instructions on How to Submit your Application.
6. I am a Returning Temporary Worker (including Live-in Caregivers)
If you hold a valid work permit, you still need a valid temporary resident visa to re-enter Canada and continue your employment.
To submit your application for a visa to return to Canada, please contact the Call Centre at the following numbers. Your completed application will be picked up by a courier at your address at an arranged time and will be delivered to our office for processing. The courier service is available all over the Philippines. Incomplete applications will be returned at the applicant's expense.
You can download the application forms from this website:
You also need to provide these additional documents:
- Two (2) photos.
- The correct processing fee. Fee must be paid by manager's cheque, certified cheque, postal money order or bank draft payable to the "Canadian Embassy, Manila". Cheques and PMOs should be valid upon submission of your application. Cash will NOT be accepted and processing fee is non-refundable.
- Current passport (valid for six months after the date of intended entry to Canada), and old passports showing previous travel. If the laminate on your biopage is disturbed around the photo, your passport will be returned to you. In order to save valuable time, please obtain a new passport prior to submitting your application.
- Letter from Employer stating that you are expected to return to Canada and resume employment
- A valid Work Permit
