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Every year over 150,000 foreign workers enter Canada working temporarily to help Canadian employers address skill shortages. Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) ensure that these workers will support economic growth in Canada and create more opportunities for all Canadian job seekers.

Please be aware that workers destined to Canada under the “Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training (NOC C and D)” are prohibited from paying a recruitment fee, a placement fee or for their transportation costs to Canada. Such payments are solely the responsibility of the employer. Payment of these fees by employees contravenes conditions outlined on the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) rendering it invalid. This may lead to refusal of your application for a Work Permit.

Payment of recruitment fees and placement fees by employees are also illegal according to some provincial laws in Canada, such as the Alberta Fair Trading Act and the British Columbia Employment Standards Act.

Who requires a work permit?

Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada who wishes to work in Canada needs to obtain an authorization to do so; in particular, Lebanese citizens require a work permit in order to work legally in Canada.

These steps must be followed before you apply for a work permit:

1. An employer must first offer you a job.
2. HRSDC must normally provide a labour market opinion or "confirmation" of your job offer.
3. After HRSDC confirms that a foreign national may fill the job, you can apply for a work permit at the Beirut visa office.

When should I apply?

• If you require an HRSDC confirmation, you can apply for a work permit as soon as you receive written evidence of your job offer or contract of employment along with the HRSDC confirmation.
• If you do not need an HRSDC confirmation, you can apply for your work permit as soon as you receive written evidence of your job offer or contract of employment.

What requirements must I meet to obtain a work permit?

You must show the visa officer that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. You must also:

• demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the job you will occupy;
• be law abiding and have no record of criminal activity;
• not be a risk to the security of Canada;
• be in good health;
• satisfy a visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your employment.

What documents do I need to apply for a work permit?

Proof of identity

• A valid passport or travel document.
• Two recent photos
• A Civil Registry Extract certified by the chief of the civil census registry of the relevant Mohafazat with translation.
• A police certificate with translation.

Proof of employment in Canada

• A copy of the signed contract between the applicant and the prospective employer and the HRDC (Human Resources Development Canada) confirmation letter.
• Evidence of job requirements:
  • Your personal resume that illustrates your academic and professional experience
  • Reference letters for previous jobs and or former positions, including business address and phone numbers
  • Diploma(s), certificates obtained

* Live-in caregiver program: Applicants who will be working under this category are requested to submit a copy of the latest Notice of Assessment from their prospective Canadian employer.

Additional information

• Additional documents may be requested before a decision is taken.
• All documents must be translated into either French or English.
• Note that the submission of an application with the documents listed above does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.
• A medical examination is required in some cases. If so, you will be informed by an officer on how to proceed.

Do my spouse or common-law partner and dependent children need to apply separately?

Your spouse or common-law partner and children who wish to visit Canada must apply for permission to do so. As long as you all apply together it will not be necessary for each person to fill out separate application forms. List the names and other information about your family members in the appropriate space on the application. If you require more space, attach a separate sheet and indicate the number and letter that you are responding to.

In order to work while in Canada, your spouse or common-law partner and your dependants must apply for their own work permit from within Canada.