Construction Work in Canada

Under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (“TFWP”), the Government of Canada allows the entry of temporary foreign workers to become employed by Canadian employers. Foreign workers admitted to Canada help fill labour market shortages and provide other economic opportunities for Canadians, such as job creation and the transfer of new skills and knowledge. With few exceptions, foreign workers must have an approved job offer and a work permit before arriving in Canada. Canada immigration authorities work with the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure that the entry of foreign workers will not adversely affect employment opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

The TFWP program is made up of four streams: high-skilled workers, low-skilled workers, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, and the Live-In Caregiver Program.

At immigration.ca we frequently assist employers and job seekers to Canada in securing positive ESDC labour market impact assessment (LMIA) opinions. Once a positive LMIA is issued, the foreign worker may qualify to apply for a Canadian work permit.

Readers who have received a temporary offer of employment to work in Canada and employers who would like to hire a temporary foreign worker may rely on our guidance to apply for an LMIA and a Canadian work permit.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Important Information:

Options for family members to work in Canada:

Your family members may accompany you to Canada. All family members must complete their own application forms but the forms may be submitted together. If your family members would like to work in Canada, they will have to fill out their own work permit applications.

In certain cases, spouses or common-law partners will be eligible for an open work permit (Open Work Permits). If your children would like to study in Canada, they must submit a study permit application.

Open work permits allow the holder to work in any job with any employer with limited exception. An open work permit also means that they may be hired without the employer having to obtain an LMIA.

Generally your spouse’s eligibility for an open work permit depends on the skill level of your job.

If you are considered a high skill worker, your spouse or common-law partner could be eligible for an open work permit. You must also be authorized to work in Canada for a period of at least six months.