Thread: Temporary Work

Hi there,

I have a couple of questions about temporary work in Canada please:

- How does the process work? Can you just apply for any job in Canada, then if you get an offer, you can then get the temporary work permit and go over there?

- Are you allowed to do things like own a car or a house on a temporary work permit?

I am just curious at the moment - just asking questions :) I live in the UK by the way, and I start study for my physics masters degree next year (I am 17), maybe with a PHD after that, so a bit of a wait yet anyway :)

Thanks a lot for your help!

Originally Posted by george7378

Hi there,

I have a couple of questions about temporary work in Canada please:

- How does the process work? Can you just apply for any job in Canada, then if you get an offer, you can then get the temporary work permit and go over there?

If you (as a foreign worker) are able to secure an offer of employment, your prospective employer initially has to apply to Service Canada for a labour market opinion (LMO).

For the LMO your employer has to provide proof that they have advertised the Job effectively, cannot find a Canadian with equal or better qualifications/experience than you and that they are paying the going rate. if the employer secures the positive LMO you may then apply for the temporary Work permit. This whole process may take up to 6 months so many employers don't want to go through it for entry level positions. The TWP also ties you to a single employer and job position, you cannot change job/locations without going through the whole procedure again.

- Are you allowed to do things like own a car or a house on a temporary work permit?

Yes you can, if you have the cash. Coming from the UK you will have a zero credit rating so would have to pay up front for cars and such. Mortgages are possible but lenders would want at least 20 - 25% deposit on a house. If your considering Toronto, car insurance will cripple you (even as a 40+ year old with a 7 year old car and 7 years no claims I paid $1600/year [about 1000 pounds/year])

I am just curious at the moment - just asking questions :) I live in the UK by the way, and I start study for my physics masters degree next year (I am 17), maybe with a PHD after that, so a bit of a wait yet anyway :)

Unless your a Prodigy I'm assuming you meant a bachelor's degree, then on to a PhD after that.

Thanks a lot for your help!

See the answers in bold above

If you planning for post degree work travel you may be better of looking at a Working holiday visa through BUNAC. This is a one year, non renewable visa but you can take any job you want during the year. It's open to anyone under 30 but may give you a better opportunity to find out if Canada is right for you.