Working Temporarily in Canada

Do I need a temporary work authorization?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you wish to work temporarily in Canada, you will require a temporary employment authorization. There are, however, some "work-like" situations that do not require a temporary employment authorization. For example, if you are seeking temporary entry to Canada as an athlete, guest speaker or news reporter, a temporary employment authorization may not be required and you may seek entry to Canada as a visitor. Please contact the Canadian Embassy in Santiago for more information.

Please Note: In all cases, you will require a visitor visa in order to enter Canada if you are travelling on a passport of a country whose citizens require a visa. Please consult the list of Countries Whose Citizens Require Visas in Order to Enter Canada as Visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Employment Authorization

Are certain types of work exempted from a temporary employment authorization under the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement?

Yes, for Chilean citizens only. For more information, please read The Temporary Entry to Canada under the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement or the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines (chapter 7).

Do I need a job offer?

Normally, employment authorizations are issued on the basis of a formal job offer that has been validated by Human Resources and Development Canada (HRDC) in Canada. When a job offer is validated by HRDC, the visa office is notified and an application form is then sent out to the foreign worker.

Please note: The Canadian Embassy cannot provide information about job opportunities in Canada.

Do all job offers require a validation?

Certain offers of employment do not have to be validated by Human Resources and Development Canada (HRDC), although the applicant still requires an employment authorization. Your potential employer in Canada should consult HRDC to determine if you need the offer of employment validated.

What should my employer do?

Your employer in Canada must give details of your job offer to Human Resources and Development Canada (HRDC). An employment counsellor will determine if your offer of employment meets the prevailing wages and working conditions for the occupation concerned. A check will also be made to see if the job cannot be filled by a suitably qualified and available Canadian citizen or permanent resident. If these conditions are met, the HRDC staff may approve your job offer. They will then issue a validation of your offer of employment and send this to the Embassy. Your Canadian employer will receive a copy of the validation, which will be forwarded to you to present to the Embassy. Your employer is responsible for arranging your worker's compensation and medical coverage when you arrive in Canada.

Please note: a validation does not guarantee the issuance of a temporary employment authorization.

Can I get an employment authorization once I'm in Canada?

No. You must obtain an employment authorization outside Canada. If you wish to work in Canada, please apply for an employment authorization prior to travelling.

What if I plan to work in Quebec?

The employer in Canada must also work with the Quebec government to obtain a Certificat d'acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) before the employment authorization can be issued. Contact the office of the Ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'Immigration.

Will I need to attend an interview?

After reviewing your application, a visa officer will notify you if a personal interview is required.

Will I need a medical examination?

In the majority of cases, if your stay is less than six months, no medical examination is required. If your stay is greater than six months no medical examination is required unless the applicant has resided or sojourned for six or more consecutive months in a designated country/territory in the one year immediately preceding the date of seeking entry to Canada, please see the Designated Country/Territory List to determine if a country/territory is designated. (A country/territory is designated if there is a "YES" in the column entitled "Designated".)

Please note: Chile is not in the Designated Country/Territory List.

For some occupations in child care and health care a medical exam may be required.

Can my spouse and dependent children accompany me to Canada?

Yes. They may either accompany you to Canada or they may join you at a later date. Your spouse and children must meet all the requirements for visitors to Canada. They may be required to provide evidence that they are law abiding and have no criminal record. They may also be required to have a medical examination, and to obtain a visitor visa. You will be required to provide a marriage certificate and birth certificates for any accompanying dependants. If they wish to follow you to Canada at a later date, they must make a separate application for admission.

Can my family work or study in Canada?

Spouses of holders of valid temporary employment authorizations must also obtain an employment authorization if they wish to take up employment in Canada. They are permitted to apply from within Canada, but they must obtain a validated job offer or meet one of the exemptions from this requirement. Remember, however, that you must still show at the time of applying for your student authorization that you have sufficient funds to pay for the living expenses for yourself and any accompanying dependents. Open student authorizations can be issued to children of holders of valid employment authorizations to enable them to attend primary and secondary school in Canada.

What do I do when I arrive in Canada?

When you arrive at the port of entry to Canada, show your letter of approval (issued by the Canadian Embassy), passport and supporting documentation to the customs officer. You will require a Social Insurance Number to work in Canada. Your employment authorization is not a contract, however, and your job can be ended by you or your employer at any time. Remember, if your duties change or the job is to be extended or terminated, you must contact a Citizenship and Immigration Canada right away, and always before the expiry date of your current authorization.

What are some common reasons for refusal of a temporary employment authorization?

Your application may be refused for lack of supporting documentation, insufficient proof of funds to finance the trip, insufficient proof of financial stability or personal ties in your country of residence, criminal inadmissibility or previous immigrations infractions.

What should I do if my application for a temporary employment authorization is refused?

You should first review the reasons for your refusal. Also, review the information checklist that came with your application to ensure that you have provided correct and complete information. If there is additional information that you could provide to convince the visa officer that you are a bonafide visitor and that you meet the necessary requirements, you may submit a new application, and the visa officer will consider your application with the additional information.