Work Visa Travel: Us To Canada

If you are a US citizen with a work visa, you may be able to enter Canada without a Canadian work visa, depending on your occupation and the work you plan to do there. However, you will still need to meet specific requirements to enter Canada. For example, you must prove that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires, show that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members during your stay, and obey Canadian laws. You may also need to provide a police clearance certificate and pass a medical exam. It is important to note that a work permit is not a travel document and does not guarantee entry into Canada. You will need to present a valid passport and either an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visa, depending on your country of origin and method of travel.

What is a US work visa?

A US work visa is a permit that allows foreigners to work in the United States. There are two main types of US work visas: non-immigrant visas and immigrant visas.

Non-immigrant visas

Non-immigrant visas are for people who want to work in the United States for a fixed period. They are also known as temporary worker visas. There are several types of non-immigrant visas, including:

• H-1B visas: for people in a specified professional or academic field or with special expertise who have a college degree or higher, or the equivalent in work experience.
• H-2A and H-2B visas: for seasonal or peak load temporary workers in agriculture (H-2A) or non-agricultural (H-2B) settings.
• H-3 visas: for those seeking training in any endeavour except graduate medical school or training, or training to meet the needs of those who require special education.
• I visas: for eligible members of the foreign press, including reporters, film crews, editors, and similar occupations.
• L visas: for those who are temporarily transferring within a company, either at the executive/management level (L-1A) or through specialized expertise (L-1B).
• O visas: for those with extraordinary and exceptional abilities or achievements across industries, as well as their accompanying family members.
• R visas: for non-immigrant religious workers who are members of a religious denomination with official non-profit status in the US.

Immigrant visas

Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live and work permanently in the United States. They are also known as permanent worker visas. There are five key types of immigrant visas, which correspond to the five employment-based immigrant visa preferences:

• First Preference EB-1: for those with "extraordinary ability" in fields such as business, academia, research, science, arts, or athletics.
• Second Preference EB-2: for professionals holding an advanced degree or foreign equivalent, those with at least ten years of experience in a field, or whose employment is in the national interest of the US.
• Third Preference EB-3: for those holding a bachelor's degree, or foreign equivalent, as well as skilled and unskilled labourers with a non-temporary job offer from a US employer.
• Fourth Preference EB-4: a specialized category that includes certain religious workers, employees of US foreign service posts, retired employees of international organizations, and noncitizen minors who are wards of courts in the United States.
• Fifth Preference EB-5: for immigrant investors who make either an investment of 1.8 million USD in a new commercial enterprise that employs at least 10 full-time US workers, or 900,000 USD in a new commercial venture in a targeted employment area that employs at least 10 full-time US workers.

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?

Whether or not you need a visa to travel to Canada depends on where you are travelling from and the purpose of your visit.

If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you can travel to Canada without a visa. However, you will need a valid passport and an electronic travel authorization (eTA) if you plan to travel to Canada by air. If you are arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, you do not need an eTA.

If you are from a visa-required country, you will need a valid visa and a valid work permit to enter Canada for work purposes. However, if you are returning directly from a visit to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you do not need a valid visa.

For those wishing to immigrate to Canada from the US, there are several options available. The Express Entry system is the main way that Canada manages skilled worker applications for permanent residence. US citizens and residents typically have a good chance of being invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry due to their strong language skills, skilled work experience, and high levels of education. There are three federal skilled worker immigration programs managed under this system: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Another option for US citizens and residents is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows individuals to settle in a specific province or territory. This program is particularly useful for those with specific skills and work experience sought by a particular province or territory.

If you are planning to work in Canada, you will typically need a work permit, also referred to as a Canadian work visa. In some cases, you and your prospective employer may need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before you can begin working. However, most work permit holders in Canada do not need an LMIA.

It is important to note that there are situations where individuals can work in Canada without a work permit, such as business visitors or individuals participating in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.

Additionally, US citizens or residents coming to Canada on business may stay in the country without a work permit for up to six months.

When travelling to Canada, it is always important to ensure that you have the correct documentation and to check the latest entry requirements.

How do I get a Canadian work visa?

To obtain a Canadian work visa, you must first determine your eligibility. There are specific requirements that you need to meet depending on where you are when you apply for your work permit. Regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, there are several general requirements that you must fulfil. These include:

• Proving that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires
• Demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any family members during your stay in Canada and to return home
• Having no criminal record and posing no danger to Canada's security
• Being in good health and undergoing a medical exam if necessary
• Not planning to work for an employer listed as "ineligible" or who offers certain adult entertainment services
• Providing any additional documents requested by the Canadian immigration authorities

If you are applying from outside Canada, you need to comply with the visa office requirements of your country or territory of application. If you are already in Canada, you can only apply for a work permit if you meet certain conditions, such as having a valid study or work permit, being eligible for a post-graduation work permit, or having a temporary resident permit valid for six months or more.

To apply for a work permit, you need to do so online. You will need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents and a valid credit or debit card. There are processing fees associated with the application, including a work permit fee and an open work permit holder fee if applicable.

What are the requirements for a Canadian work visa?

To obtain a Canadian work visa, you must meet specific requirements, which vary depending on your location and the type of work permit sought. Here is a comprehensive overview of the requirements for a Canadian work visa:

Eligibility Requirements for All Applicants:

Regardless of your location or the type of work permit, certain universal criteria must be satisfied:

• Prove your intention to leave Canada when your work permit expires.
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family during your stay in Canada and for your return trip home.
• Maintain a clean criminal record and comply with the law, possibly requiring a police clearance certificate.
• Pose no threat to Canadian security.
• Undergo a medical examination if necessary, ensuring you are in good health.
• Avoid working for employers listed as "ineligible" due to non-compliance with conditions.
• Refrain from working for employers who regularly offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages.
• Provide any additional documents requested by the officer to prove your eligibility to enter Canada.

Eligibility Requirements When Applying from Outside Canada:

Anyone can apply for a Canadian work visa before entering the country, but specific visa office requirements may exist depending on your country of origin. It is essential to follow the instructions for your particular country of application.

Eligibility Requirements When Applying from Inside Canada:

Applying for a work permit from within Canada is possible only if you meet one or more of the following conditions:

• Possess a valid study or work permit.
• Have a spouse, common-law partner, or parents with valid study or work permits.
• Be eligible for a post-graduation work permit with a valid study permit.
• Hold a temporary resident permit valid for at least six months.
• Await a decision on an application for permanent residence from inside Canada.
• Have made a claim for refugee protection.
• Be recognised as a convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
• Be eligible to work in Canada without a work permit but require one for a different job (excluding business visitors).
• Be a trader, investor, intra-company transferee, or professional under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Eligibility Requirements When Applying at a Port of Entry (POE):

As of June 21, 2024, you can no longer apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at a port of entry. It is recommended to apply for your work permit before travelling to Canada. However, you may still be able to apply for a work permit at a POE if you meet the following criteria:

• Be from a visa-exempt country.
• Be eligible for an electronic travel authorisation or able to travel without a visitor visa.
• Meet other requirements specific to the type of work permit sought.

It is important to note that you cannot apply at a POE if you are a citizen of a country on a specified list, an International Experience Canada applicant who is not a US citizen or permanent resident, applying under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, or seeking a post-graduation work permit.

What are the different types of Canadian work visas?

There are two main types of Canadian work visas: employer-specific work permits and open work permits. Here are the differences between the two:

• Employer-specific work permit: This type of permit is tied to a specific employer and job offered. It means that if the foreign national wants to change their employer or job, they will need to apply for a new work permit. To apply for this, the employer must first obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The LMIA assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market. The employer must prove that they have made reasonable efforts to hire Canadian citizens and permanent residents before offering the job to a foreign national. Once the employer has obtained a positive LMIA, the foreign national can apply for an employer-specific Canadian work permit. The application must include the job offer letter, a copy of the LMIA, and any other supporting documents required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Open work permit: This type of permit allows immigrants to work for any employer for a certain amount of time. There are two subcategories for Open Work Permits (OWP): Unrestricted and Restricted Permits. Unrestricted Permits allow holders to work in any occupation and location, while Restricted Permits only allow work in a specific job and location.

There are various ways to get a work permit, such as through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Here are some of the most popular work permits:

• Post-Graduate Work Permit: International students who have recently completed their studies in Canada may be eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). This permit allows them to stay and work in Canada for up to three years after graduation.
• Working Holiday Visa: This visa allows individuals from participating countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years. It is aimed at those who want to explore Canada while earning money to support their travels.
• Young Professionals Program: This program allows young professionals from participating countries to work in Canada for up to two years in a job related to their field. It is an excellent opportunity to gain international work experience and network with industry professionals.
• Work Permits for Spouses: Spouses of foreign workers in Canada will need to apply for an open work permit. This type of permit allows them to work for any employer in Canada without needing a job offer beforehand. However, there are certain requirements, such as being legally allowed to live in Canada through spousal sponsorship and having a work permit valid for at least six months or longer.

It is important to note that a Canadian work permit is not a permanent residency permit and does not guarantee the holder the right to stay in Canada permanently. Working in Canada without a valid work permit can result in severe consequences such as deportation, fines, and being barred from entering Canada in the future.

Frequently asked questions