Two Roads to Work Permits

author avatar
CIC News
Published: August 30, 2010

A foreign national who wishes to work in Canada generally requires a work permit. Work permits allow people to quickly begin working in Canada and can be a stepping stone toward Canadian permanent resident visas.

A work permit is generally required for a foreign national who intends to "work" in Canada. For Canadian immigration purposes, work is defined as an activity for which wages are paid or commission is earned, or that competes directly with activities of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the Canadian labor market. Any activity that does not take an opportunity from a Canadian to be employed or gain work experience is not considered work eg: volunteer work or work done by phone/internet where the person is employed by a company outside Canada.

>>Read the full article on Canadavisa.com....

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Top Stories
Ottawa reports increased non-compliance amid TFWP crackdown
LMIA processing times climb for low-wage and high-wage streams of TFWP
IRCC’s proof of citizenship review: what happened, what changed, and what to do if you’re impacted
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Citizenship
IRCC’s proof of citizenship review: what happened, what changed, and what to do if you’re impacted
In June 2026, the Canadian government sent letters to some citizenship applicants telling their their certificates were under review
Canada’s processing time for proof of citizenship jumps to 19 months as the queue nears 100,000
Processing times for proof of citizenship applications have been on the rise in 2026
Analysis: What IRCC’s surrender letters revealed, and what applicants can do going forward
What IRCC's Proof of Canadian citizenship surrender letters can teach us about applying
Your Canadian citizenship ceremony: what to expect and how to prepare
A man shaking hands with an RCMP officer at a Canadian citizenship ceremony in Hamilton, Ontario.
Link copied to clipboard