CANADIAN IMMIGRATION: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WORK PERMIT

BACKGROUND

The Information Technology (IT) Workers Program is a Canadian immigration program intended to fast-track the entry into Canada of individuals who have specific IT skills that are in high demand in Canada.

Under the IT Workers Program, Canadian employers who are seeking staff to fill specified types of IT jobs within their organizations can employ eligible foreign nationals without the need to obtain a Labour Market Opinion from the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Provided that both the job position in Canada and the foreign worker meet the requirements of the program, a Confirmation Exempt Work Permit may be obtained which will allow the foreign worker to enter Canada to work for the Canadian employer.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Job description. The job position with the Canadian employer must meet the requirements of one of the seven IT job types specified in the IT Job Description List
   
   Senior Animation Effects Editor (NOC 9990.1)
   Embedded Systems Software Designer (NOC 9990.2)
   MIS Software Designer (NOC 9990.3)
   Multimedia Software Developer (NOC 9990.4)
   Software Developer — Services (NOC 9990.5)
   Software Products Developer (NOC 9990.6)
   Telecommunications Software Designer (NOC 9990.7)
2. Education, language & experience. The applicant must meet the education, language and work experience requirements specified for the job in the IT Job Description List
3. Salary. The salary paid by the Canadian employer must be within the salary range specified for the job in the IT Job Description List.

VISA PROCESSING

Applications from US citizens or permanent residents may be made at a visa office outside of Canada or at the Canadian port of entry. Applications from all other foreign nationals must be processed at the Canadian visa office outside of Canada which serves the Applicant's country of residence or citizenship.

DURATION AND RENEWAL

IT Work Permits are normally valid for one year. Applications for renewal may be made from within Canada as long as the applicant is lawfully present in Canada.

READ MORE . . . about Temporary Resident Visas about Work Permit Exempt Activities about Work Permits about Confirmation Exempt Work Permits about Penalties for Failing to Obtain a Work Permit about Student Visas about Canadian Immigration Medical Examinations

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended to educate members of the public generally and is not intended to provide legal or professional advice or solutions to individual problems. If you require legal advice or assistance, you should consult a Gaertner Tobin LLP lawyer at info@GTLLP.com.