How to Apply for a Canadian Work Permit from the Philippines?

By Remitbee - Jul 12, 2021

According to the last Canadian census, over 800,000 Filipinos are currently living in Canada. Are you interested in applying for a Canadian work permit from the Philippines but don't know where to start or what options you have? We'll go through some of your top immigration choices as well as the visa application procedure in this article.

How to Apply For a Canadian Work Permit From the Philippines?

Step 1: Know your options and eligibility

With an open work permit under the International Mobility Program you have two options; work for any employer for a specified period of time or an unrestricted one where you are not tied to one employer. This is one of the best work permits available for Filipinos who want to work in Canada.

Step 2: Find a job

For the four programs mentioned, you must have a job waiting for you in Canada.

Many Filipinos work as nurses, specialist doctors, accountants, or caregivers. The easiest way to look is online. You can make your applications online or reach out to people in your network who know about job openings in Canada. As many companies advertise most of their positions on bulletin boards over online sites, your friends and family in Canada may be able to tell you who is hiring. Once you have secured an interview and got the job, your employer will send you a contract and you can apply for a work permit and temporary residence visa. Beware of any job offers that require you to pay or enter your credit card info as they could be scams.

Step 3: Apply for the work visa

Your employer applies for a Labour Market Impact Assessment or LMIA which shows there is no one in Canada available to do the job you are being hired for. Once this is done your job offer will become official.

You can now submit visa applications to Canada online or at one of the Visa Application Centers (VACs) in the Philippines. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is the name of the visa you will need and you can apply at the official Canadian immigration website

Remember you have to register with the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) in order for your rights abroad to be protected. If you used a recruitment agency and did not get hired directly, then you will have to pay the agency to register.

In some cases, you can qualify for two-week processing and get your visa quicker. This will happen if your skills are in great demand in Canada.

Step 4: Get a visa as a temporary worker

Finally, your work permit is issued by Canada. When you arrive in Canada a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will issue the work permit. Generally, if you want to change employers after you are in Canada, you’ll need a new work permit. All work permits have an expiry date, and the maximum you can work on these permits is four years. But don’t worry, there are options to extend your time.

Starting Your New Life as a Filipino Immigrant In Canada

Welcome to Canada!

Now after working as a temporary worker, you may search for a job that offers a longer contract or a permanent position so that you can apply for permanent residency. Check out our blog on the cost of living in Canada for Filipinos to see how to manage your money.

As immigrants ourselves, we know exactly the issues that those new to Canada face. That’s why we created our service to send money to the Philippines so you don’t get charged unfair fees and a poor exchange rate by banks and other services. Check out our rates today and see for yourself.