When a labor contract is concluded with a Canadian company, or the specialty allows you to work abroad, the question of obtaining a work visa arises. What difficulties can arise when applying for documents from CIS citizens, and how to get a visa the first time in the most reasonable time?
What is a Canadian work visa
A Canadian work visa is a document that allows a migrant to legally reside in the country and work. The term “work visa” is correctly understood as a temporary border crossing permit with the right to work. The maximum validity period is 4 years. It can be issued by foreign citizens with a narrow specialty, higher education, who speak one of the state languages of Canada.
Some categories of foreigners are not required to obtain a special permit, it is enough for them to issue a temporary visa. This:
- Sports referees, coaches;
- Clergy;
- Organizers of international seminars and conferences;
- Emergency workers;
- Investors, entrepreneurs;
- Medical students;
- Journalists;
- Foreign government workers;
- Cultural figures.
Persons who have received a work and residence permit in Canada, after a few years of legal labor activity, can count on permanent residence status. Canada is the country with the highest living standards, social standards, advanced economy and a good attitude towards migrants.
Difficulties in obtaining a work visa
The paperwork process is long and requires compliance with some rules. So, the first step - finding an employer willing to accept a foreign specialist, can take several months.
Today, Canadian organizations are inviting foreign specialists to work:
- In the field of construction;
- High-class welders,
- Auto mechanics;
- Truck drivers;
- Agricultural workers;
- Occasionally there are vacancies in the service sector.
Since 2019, a state program for the search for foreign workers has been operating in the country, which allows them to submit an online application indicating their profession. 
Applicants must be interviewed by a visa officer. In this case, the following requirements are imposed:
- No previous convictions;
- Lack of serious illness;
- Sufficient work experience;
- High proficiency in English and French;
- Having sufficient funds or additional income in your home country.
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One of the main requirements - availability of an employment contract with a Canadian firm. It is drawn up in advance by a representative of the inviting party, agreed with the Ministry for the Development of Human Resources, and sent to the Embassy in the territory of the migrant's residence along with an invitation to enter.
Second most important requirement - good knowledge of French or English. It is almost impossible to obtain a visa without knowing the language.
A work permit and work visa cannot be obtained until a vacancy is found. It is issued only to persons who have a job offer for a specific period. Spouses of temporary residents of Canada can apply for permission to enter the country in any specialty. In this case, paper from the Ministry is not required.
How to get a work visa to Canada
You can apply for documents through the Visa Application Center or on your own on the portal of the Government of Canada.
The main steps when applying for a visa through the website:
- Passing the Express Entry test, according to the results of which the system will suggest suitable migration programs. Test questions relate to nationality, age, language skills, marital status, education, etc .;
- Filling out a personal page on the government website in the immigration section. You will need to download the data of a civil and foreign passport, the results of a language test, an invitation to work, a diploma of education;
- Upload additional documents to the profile (police clearance certificate, medical certificate, bank statement);
- Expect an invitation to permanent residence as a foreign specialist.
The invitation will be sent to the citizens with the highest number of points in the system. A low score may be due to the lack of an invitation to work, a low level of knowledge of English and French. In case of exclusion from the system, you can re-apply and update your profile data. If the decision is positive, the printed invitation is submitted to the Visa Application Center.
Documents can be submitted in person or with the help of a person holding a notarized power of attorney to the nearest Canada Visa Application Center.
Embassy of Canada in Moscow
| The address: | 119002, Moscow, Starokonyushenny lane, 23 |
| Schedule: | Monday - Friday from 08:30 to 17:00 |
| Site: | www.canadainternational.gc.ca |
| Telephone: | +7 (495) 925-60-00 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| Fax: | +7 (495) 925-6025 |
Canada Visa Application Center in Moscow
| The address: | 127018, Moscow, st. Suschevsky Val, 31, bldg. 2 |
| Schedule: | Monday - Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 - submission and receipt of documents |
| Officialsite: | www.vfsglobal.ca |
| Telephone: | +7 (499) 703-49-87;+7 (499) 704-55-36. |
| Email: | [email protected] |
Canada Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg
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| The address: | 197110, St. Petersburg, st. Bolshaya Raznochinnaya, 16 A (entrance from Chkalovsky prospect 7), 2nd floor |
| Official site: | www.bulgariavac.ru |
| Telephone: | +7 (499) 703-49-87;+7 (499) 704-55-36. |
| Email: | [email protected] |
Canada Visa Application Center in Vladivostok
| The address: | 690091, Vladivostok, Okeansky prospect, 17, office 601 |
| Schedule: | Monday - Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 - submission and receipt of documents |
| Site: | www.bulgariavac.ru |
| Telephone: | +7 (499) 703-49-87;+7 (499) 704-55-36; Monday - Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 Moscow time. |
| Email: | [email protected] |
List of documents:
- An invitation from the employer;
- Work permit (LIMA);
- Labor contract;
- Civil and foreign passports;
- Photo 35x45;
- A completed application form;
- Papers proving education, work experience, qualifications;
- Help on the composition of the family;
- Medical certificate;
- Certificate of good conduct;
- Bank statement
- Receipt of payment of the duty.
Canadian visa application questionnaire. Download (doc)
Questionnaire for additional information about the applicant. Download (doc)
Citizens of the Russian Federation, Belarusians, Kazakhs who are on the territory of Russia, when applying for a work visa, must pass biometric data and an interview with an employee of the Embassy. In case of a positive result, a document will be issued allowing you to work in Canada.
All documents must be certified by a notary and translated into two languages: English, French.
Terms of registration
Submission of documents must be carried out no later than 6 months before the intended trip. The term for consideration of the Express Entry online application for the right to work is up to 6 months.
If a positive decision is not made on the completed profile within a year, the page is deleted. There is an opportunity to make a repeated application through the website.
Time for consideration of documents at the Visa Application Center - from 2 to 7 months. It will not be possible to speed up the process for an additional fee.
If the deadline for obtaining a visa has expired, then the documents will have to be collected again.
Method of obtaining finished documents
All stages of consideration of an online application can be tracked on the website. Additionally, persons who have applied for a work permit receive notifications by e-mail.
The status of documents drawn up through the Visa Center can be tracked on the center's website by the application number or by ordering an SMS notification service (if possible). You can get ready-made documents yourself or with the help of a third party who has a notarized power of attorney.
Visa cost
The online visa fee is 155 dollars Canada, additional visa application center fee - approximately 1700 rubles.
The cost of registration through the visa center - 155 dollars Canada and Visa Application Center fee - approximately 1800 rubles.
Paperwork through private companies that provide services for obtaining visas - from $ 500.
Children are not exempt from paying fees.
Grounds for refusal
When there are minor inaccuracies in the papers, some documents have not been translated into English, you can correct the errors during the time of making a visa. In the case of more significant violations, the package of papers must be resubmitted.
As a rule, refusals to Russians are due to:
- Refusals to enter other countries;
- Low financial position;
- Free marital status;
- The presence of close relatives in Canada who were brought to criminal or administrative responsibility.
Express Entry rejections are often related to age over 30 and low proficiency in English and French.
The refusal can be appealed in court or a new package of documents can be provided with the help of a lawyer specializing in visa issues.
Consequences of illegal labor in Canada
Like most countries, Canada discourages illegal workers from entering the country. Without a work permit, you cannot open a bank account or receive state medical assistance.
In case of any violation of law and order or a meeting with the police, the illegal is awaiting a deportation order from the country. You must leave the state within 30 days.
If the deadlines have been met, then it is better to re-enter the country legally.
It is difficult to obtain permission to enter Canada with the right to work. Advantages are enjoyed by young people under 30 years of age with a narrow specialization and a good knowledge of English or French. Since 2019, it has become possible to fill out an application and find a vacancy for migrants on the Canadian government website.
