About Foreign Worker Program
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Foreign Worker Quick Links: |
Every year, more than 90,000 foreign nationals enter Canada to work and help Canadian employers address skills and labour shortages. The entry of foreign workers can help companies take advantage of new business opportunities, while at the same time creating employment opportunities for Canadian workers.
In addition every year, more than 150,000 permanent Skilled Workers immigrate and settle in Canada. Permanent Skilled Workers bring expertise and knowledge to the country and employers can play an integral role in supporting their immigration efforts.
[ Departmental Roles | Legislation | Statistics ]
DEPARTMENTAL ROLES |
In Canada, the entry and employment of foreign nationals is jointly managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC).
CIC is responsible for verifying that foreign nationals working in Canada meet the criteria required both to work and reside temporarily in Canada. In most cases, before CIC allows a foreign national to work in Canada, an employer needs to apply for an HRSDC Opinion. HRSDC verifies that the hiring of the foreign national is likely to have a positive impact on the Canadian labour market.
Similarly, with respect to Skilled Worker immigration, CIC is responsible for verifying that foreign nationals applying for permanent residency to Canada meet the criteria of the Skilled Worker Class. In cases where an employer is making a job offer to the Skilled Worker applicant, HRSDC may play a role in the assessment of the permanent job offer.
LEGISLATION |
The hiring of foreign nationals and the permanent immigration of Skilled Workers in Canada is legislated by Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Learn more on immigration legislation from CIC's website 
STATISTICS |
- For foreign worker and other immigration-related statistics, visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/research/index.html.