Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Program Stages

• Interview with ILC staff member, practical skills testing (if applicable) and English language test.
• Interview with Canadian employer.
• Receiving a job offer.
• Receiving a positive labour market review, work permit and temporary resident visa for Canada.
• Medical examination at the International Organization for Migration.
• Attendance at adaptation seminars and language courses.
• Departure to the country of employment.

Each applicant's work permit will strictly outline the conditions under which s/he is allowed to work in Canada. These conditions may include the following: the type of occupation in which s/he is allowed to work, the name of the employer for whom s/he is permitted to work, the location of the employer's company at which s/he may work and the date his/her work permit expires.

It is important to remember that having a work permit for Canada does not imply permanent residency status. Before an applicant's work permit expires, s/he must apply for an extension or leave Canada by the expiry date.

Having a work permit does not guarantee that an applicant will not be dismissed by his/her employer for performing unsatisfactory work and/or for not following the policies or rules set out by the company. In the event that an applicant is dismissed from their job, s/he must either leave Canada or find a new employer and apply for a new work permit.

If an applicant is a citizen of a country that does not have a visa-free agreement with Canada, they must obtain a Temporary Resident Visa and undergo a medical examination at a representative office of International Organization for Migration.

If an applicant is a citizen of a country with a visa-free agreement with Canada, there is no need to undergo a medical examination or obtain a Temporary Resident Visa for Canada. For employment s/he need only have a job offer and a positive labour market review; a work permit will then be issued at the Canadian border (Customs and Immigration). Please follow the link to the official website of the Canadian government to check the list of countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Canada: www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp#exemptions.

Please follow the link to check the list of countries whose citizens do not require a medical examination to enter the country: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/dcl.asp.

The time needed to prepare all the necessary documents pertaining to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program can range from 1 to 6 months depending on the country where the applicant resides and the requirements outlined in each particular job offer.

If a prospective skilled labourer intends to work and immigrate to Canada, s/he must meet the requirements of one of the country's Immigration Programs.

Documents required for citizens of Ukraine

At different stages of the program, a prospective applicant may be requested to provide additional documents. Applicants will be informed about any such details by ILC staff.

• Photocopy of domestic passport (pp. 1, 2 & page with registration stamp ).
• Photocopy of ID code.
• Photocopy of international passport (p. 1 + all pages with any stamps).
• Photocopies of education certifying documents: diplomas, certificates, licenses, etc. (apart from secondary education certificate).
• Photocopy of Ukrainian labour book: all pages with records. If the applicant is officially employed at present, s/he must bring a photocopy of his/her labour book certified by the personnel department of the company for which s/he works.

• Photocopies of other documents confirming the applicant's work experience: work and character references, contracts, Private Entrepreneurship certificates, etc.
• Eight (8) colour passport photographs (the frame size of which must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8" X 1 3/4") and taken against a plain white background. The photographs must show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photograph).

Documents required for citizens of other European countries and CIS member states

At different stages of the program, an applicant may be requested to provide additional documents. Applicants will be informed about any such details by ILC staff.

• Photocopy of international passport (p. 1 + all pages with any stamps).
• Photocopy of the applicant's birth certificate.
• Photocopy of his/her marriage/divorce certificate.
• Photocopies of education certifying documents for all supplementary education: diplomas, certificates, licenses, etc. (apart from secondary education certificate).

• Eight (8) colour passport photographs (the frame size of which must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8" X 1 3/4") and taken against a plain white background. The photographs must show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photograph).