Generally, the maximum period that a work period can be issued for is thirty-six (36) months.
The validity period of the work permit will further depend on the following three (3) factors:
- The job offer details and the specific mandate to be carried out in Canada
- Length of validity of Labour Market Impact Assessment (if the Canadian employer was required to obtain one for the foreign national’s mandate in Canada)
- Length of validity of the foreign national’s passport.
Once a foreign national obtains a work permit, provided that the permit remains valid, foreign workers are eligible to apply for a new permit (extension of their permit or a new type of permit) from within Canada. Specifically, an application submitted prior to the expiry of an individual’s original work permit permits the foreign worker to remain in Canada and continue legally working until a final decision is made on the new application. This permission is called “implied status”.
If you are a Canadian employer interested in hiring a foreign national, or you are a foreign national with a job offer in Canada and want to understand the process and or need assistance with determining a viable strategy to commence employment in Canada, please contact Toronto employment and immigration lawyers, Sultan Lawyers, at (416) 214-5111 or via email to mlahert@sultanlawyers.com.