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The Employer’s Role

As an employer, you must make a job offer before a foreign national can apply for a work permit. In most cases, you will likely need to work with Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) to get a labour market opinion. You should keep in touch with the foreign worker that you wish to hire. Let them know when you have received confirmation and that they should now apply for their work permit.

Some foreign workers may work in Canada without a work permit. Check to see if this applies to the workers you want to hire.

 
You are Responsible
As an employer, you are responsible for making sure that your workers have the necessary permits. Foreign workers are given Social Insurance Numbers that begin with a nine. This is not proof that the worker has a valid work permit.

You must also make sure that foreign workers working for you follow the conditions and time limits outlined on their work permits. Be aware of the conditions listed on your employees’ work permits.

It is illegal to employ a foreign national who does not have a valid work permit. You must adhere to the conditions described on work permits. See the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for more details on employers’ responsibilities.

The Job Offer: Before a foreign national can apply for a work permit, you must first make a formal job offer. Learn how to do this here.

HRSDC Assessment: HRSDC’s role is to provide advice to CIC regarding the impact on the Canadian labour market that the entry of a foreign worker will have.

 
Special Programs
Citizenship and Immigration Canada offers several programs to facilitate the application process for work permits in industries with a greater need for skilled workers.

• Temporary Foreign Worker Units
• Facilitated Processing for Information Technology Workers
• Tool and Die and Machinists in Ontario