TEMPORARY WORK VISA LAWYERS IN VANCOUVER, BC

Today, Canada is among the leading destinations for international immigrants. The country offers better standards of living, numerous employment opportunities, and a reasonable income for workers. However, in order to live and work for any employer in Canada as a foreign national, you must have a Temporary Work Visa—a Temporary Resident Visa and a Canadian Work Permit. 

When you need proper guidance applying for or renewing your temporary work visa in Canada, consulting with a seasoned Vancouver immigration lawyer is important. At Michael Golden Law Corporation, we have the expertise and resources to assist and guide clients in their temporary work visa applications and renewals. In addition, our skilled lawyers can evaluate your unique situation, determine your eligibility for a work permit, and guide you through the legal procedures involved. 

Serving the Vancouver, British Columbia, area (including Surrey, Coquitlam, Burnaby, and more), Michael Golden Law Corporation is ready to work with you.  

How to Get a Temporary Work Permit 

A temporary work permit allows a foreign national to migrate to Canada and work for an employer or look for employment. Eligible applicants may get a temporary work permit through a temporary work visa or immigrant work visa. 

Eligibility Requirements for Canadian Work Permits

Here are the eligibility requirements for a temporary work permit in Canada: 

• a valid employment offer issued by a Canadian employer 

• at least 1 or 2 years of work experience in a relevant field 

• 67 points in the Canada points calculator 

• the necessary academic credentials 

• educational credential assessment (ECA) report 

• a valid passport with over 6 months of validity 

• IELTS/PTE score results 

In addition, you must have proof of funds, a clean criminal record, medical insurance coverage, and a police verification certificate. Your experienced lawyer can determine if you’re eligible to apply for a work permit and assist with your work visa application. 

Work Visa Application

As mentioned earlier, the temporary work visa involves a combination of a temporary resident visa and a work permit. Here are the steps involved in applying for a Canadian work visa: 

• Apply for a job with a Canadian employer. 

• Your Canadian employer will apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment if required. This is to certify that issuing a work permit to an immigrant or foreign national won’t affect the job and salary of employees in the country. 

• Receive a temporary job offer from your Canadian employer. 

• Apply for a temporary work permit to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) 

• Get a temporary residence visa (TRV). This will enable you to travel to Canada. 

• Submit your temporary work permit application once you get to the country. 

• If your application is approved, the work permit or visa will be issued for some months or a couple of years. 

However, the temporary work visa is only for a foreign national who plans to work in Canada for a specified period. If you intend to continue living and working in Canada permanently, you must apply for permanent residency (PR). A seasoned Vancouver temporary work visa lawyer can assist with your work permit application and improve your chances of a successful outcome. 

Your Rights as a Worker in B.C.

Here are some legal rights of employees living and working in British Columbia: 

• Employers are prohibited from refusing to hire eligible applicants for non-work-related reasons, such as race, family background, skin colour, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or religion. 

• Employees have the right to feel safe while at work. Employees who experience sexual harassment or any form of discrimination are entitled to file a complaint to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal. 

• Employers are required to follow the Employment Standards Act, including laws addressing unpaid meal breaks and paying employees who resign. 

• Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who make a complaint to the Employment Standards Branch. 

• The usual working time for employees in British Columbia is 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.  

• Employees who work for more than 40 hours are entitled to overtime pay of one-and-a-half times (1.5 times) their normal hourly pay. 

• Employees are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid break after working for 5 hours. 

• Employers must ensure that the workplace is as safe and healthy as possible. 

Extending Your Work Permit

Furthermore, you can apply to extend your current work permit at least 30 days before it expires. To extend your work permit, submit your application and the required documentation and pay the processing fees. Generally, it may take some time to process the new work permit. However, ensure that your passport won’t expire before the proposed expiration date on your work permit. 

International Mobility Program

As previously mentioned, some employments require the Canadian employer to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment to ensure that the work permit doesn’t affect the job and salary of employees in Canada. However, the International Mobility Program allows a Canadian employer to hire a foreign national on a temporary work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). 

What’s more, employees that are eligible for the International Mobility Program (IMP) include: 

• an employee entering Canada through trade treaties, such as the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) or the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) 

• an employee entering Canada as intra-company transferees 

• an employee entering Canada through an open work permit 

To hire a foreign employee through the International Mobility Program, the Canadian employer must pay the required compliance fee ($230), except for employees entering Canada through an open work permit. In addition, the job offer must be submitted through the employment portal of IRCC. 

Work With Knowledgeable Temporary Work Visa Lawyers

With the ever-dynamic Canadian immigration laws, applying for a temporary work permit or work visa in Canada may involve severe complexities. However, before you apply, it is important that you understand the eligibility requirements, the application process, the conditions for the visa, your rights, and available options as a foreign worker. A knowledgeable temporary work visa lawyer can assess your unique situation and help you make informed decisions. 

At Michael Golden Law Corporation, our lawyers have devoted their careers to guiding clients through the complex procedures involved in applying for and renewing temporary work visas. As your legal counsel, we can determine your eligibility, gather the necessary documentation, and help submit your application. Even if you need to renew your work permit, we will walk you through the legal process with the goal to ensure that your application is approved.