How to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa from Indonesia

Canada is set to welcome over 1.2 million immigrants by 2023 which means this is the time to immigrate to Canada. There are over 100 immigration programs that you could qualify for. If you’re thinking of working and living in Canada, the chances are pretty high that you will need a work visa to do so.

In this article, we explain the ins and outs of how to apply for a Canadian work visa from Indonesia, as we know the Canadian work visa process can be very complex and understanding exactly which one you need tends to be confusing.

So let’s dive into the different types of work permits and how to apply for them.

Get the Right Canadian Work Permit for You

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An important aspect to know about work visas in Canada is that there are two types. They are very different from each other and have different conditions. They are known as an open work permit and an employer-specific work permit.

The open work permit allows you to work for any employer within Canada and the employer-specific work permit will limit you in terms of the employer you can work for or the location.

Open Work Visa

Obtaining an open work visa means that you are exempt from needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This document proves that there isn’t a Canadian citizen or permanent resident that’s willing or able to work in a certain position in Canada, this will then allow the employer to hire a foreign worker.

Can I apply for an Open Work Permit?

There are very few circumstances that’ll allow you to apply for an open work visa. It’s also quite difficult. There is a program called the International Mobility Program (IMP) that is quite popular amongst Canadian employers because of how quick and simple it is.

The IMP allows employers to hire a temporary worker without an LMIA through a portal known as the Employer Portal. The International Mobility Program was designed to serve the broader economic and cultural interests of Canada. Among those is the Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Post-Graduation Work Permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows a student who has graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to obtain an open work visa. This means that the student is free to work wherever they want and for whoever they want, within Canada. This type of visa is valid for up to three years all depending on the length of the study program.

Who Can Apply For a Post-Graduation Work Permit?

Requirements to apply for a PGWP:

  1. Complete a study program (degree, diploma, or certificate) at a DLI for at least eight months;
  2. Been a full-time student in Canada for each semester; and
  3. Graduated from a public post-secondary school (college, trade/technical school/university; or
  4. Graduated from a Canadian private school that provides degrees under provincial law (as long as it leads to a degree as authorized by the province).

You will need to send your application within 180 days after getting your final marks and will need the following support documents:

  • An official letter from your DLI confirming that you have completed your study program;
  • An official transcript or copy from your institution’s website;
  • Give your biometrics if you haven’t already done so;
  • Medical exams results;
  • Police clearance certificate.

If you would like to study in Canada, there are many affordable schools to choose from. Studying in Canada can lead to an open work permit which could then lead to you getting permanent residency in Canada.

Employer-Specific Work Visa

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The employer-specific work visa is more likely to be obtained by a foreign national wanting to work in Canada. This visa is also known as a closed work permit. This visa will only allow you to work under certain conditions or limitations, which are stated on the work permit. You will only be able to work for one employer and in a specific position.

The restrictions you’ll face with an employer-specific visa may include:

  • Name of the employer you can work for
  • How long you can work for this employer
  • The location where you can work (if applicable)

Knowing how to apply for a Canadian work visa from Indonesia is important to know as there are many ways to do so, through different programs. Such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program provides a solution to many Canadian employers because this program allows employers to temporarily hire foreigners that can fill any labour shortages that Canada faces. The foreign nationals help the economy grow by bringing their new skills and knowledge with them.

Examples of streams where you can apply for a work visa through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program are:

  • Global Talent Stream
  • Caregivers
  • Agricultural Stream

Global Talent Stream

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a service provided by the government to help Canadian employers to access highly skilled global talent and broaden the workforce in Canada. A great advantage for employers using the GTS is that the processing time can be as short as two weeks.

The Global Talent Stream within itself has two categories. They are:

CATEGORY A

For employers who have been referred to the Global Talent Stream by one of the stream’s designated partners. It’s required that employers hire individuals with unique or specialized talent.

Eligibility for Category A are as follows:

  • You need to have a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
  • You must have a job in Canada
  • You must prove that you will leave Canada after your work permit expires
  • You need to prove that you can finance your stay and your family’s stay in Canada and that you have enough funds to go back to your home country
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Prove that you are not a threat to the national security of Canada
  • Be in good health

CATEGORY B

For employers who want to hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions for in-demand jobs in Canada, that are found in the Global Talent Occupations List.

Occupations on the list include:

  • Web designers and developers - NOC 2175
  • Software engineers and designers - NOC 2173
  • Computer and information systems managers - NOC 0213
  • Information systems testing technicians - NOC 2283

If you have work experience in any of the occupations listed on the Global Talent Occupations List, you could qualify to get an employer-specific work visa.

In-HomeCaregivers

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Families can hire foreign caregivers, through the Temporary Worker Program, to provide in-home care to children, seniors and individuals who have certified medical needs. The family can only hire a foreign national when a Canadian citizen or permanent resident isn’t available.

As a foreign caregiver in Canada, you must:

  1. provide care on a full-time basis (minimum 30 hours per week)
  2. work in the private household where the care is being provided;
  3. meet the requirements set Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Families or private household employers will be able to hire eligible foreign workers, on a live-in for 2 categories of in-home workers, which include:

1. Caregivers for children

  • Children under 18 years of age

This category includes occupations such as:

  • Child care provider, live-in caregiver, nanny (NOC 4411)

2. Caregivers for people with medical needs

  • elderly persons, 65 years of age or over; or
  • people with disabilities, a chronic or terminal illness

This category can include occupations such as :

  • Registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse (NOC 3012);
  • Licensed practical nurse (NOC 3233); and
  • Attendant for persons with disabilities, home support worker, live-in caregiver, personal care attendant (NOC 4412).

Foreign caregivers may be eligible for permanent residency in Canada, on condition they meet the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements.

How Much Does a Canadian Work Visa Cost?

Work Visa Fees
Permit/Visa Fee in CAD
Study permit (including extensions) $150
Work permit (including extensions) $155
Work permit (including extensions) – per group (3 or more performing artists) $ 465
Open work permit holder $ 100

Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident via a Work Visa

When working in Canada with a visa, you are able to gain valuable Canadian work experience. This becomes beneficial to you because you can use the experience gained as a means to get permanent residency in Canada. This can be done via the Canadian Experience Class, within Express Entry.

To see if you’re eligible for any of the above programs and to know how you should apply for a work visa from Indonesia, simply click on the link below and complete the full evaluation and have our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) guide you through your best options.