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Tunisians looking for better opportunities abroad are no longer limited to Italy, France, or Spain. A higher quality of life and lucrative job opportunities are waiting in Canada for those who are ready to pursue it. The trick is to find the right Canadian work visa to start your journey to the Great North.
There is an ongoing demand for highly skilled foreign workers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as workers in critical industries such as agriculture and healthcare. Foreign workers help employers fill job and skills shortages across the extensive country with an aging population. Currently, every one in four Canadians is retiring and this is one of the main reasons why Canada has some of the highest annual immigration targets set at welcoming over 400,000 newcomers in 2021 and beyond!
Do you want to live and work in Canada? Find out how you can apply for a Canadian work visa from Tunisia below!
How to Work in Canada from Tunisia?
Different Types of Canadian Work Permits
There are two different types of work visas available in Canada, and depending on the circumstances surrounding your employment, you will either qualify for an employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP) or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). And in very specific cases, you may be eligible for an open work permit.
Below, discover the key differences between these two Canadian work permits!
International Mobility Program (IMP)
The majority of Canadian work permits are issued under the IMP. It’s the more popular program due to the quicker and easier work permit application process mainly because applicants are exempt from needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) - a document that’s tricky to obtain. The IMP is designed to cater to Canada's broader economic and cultural interests through international agreements and youth exchange programs.
| Work Permits Under the IMP | |
|---|---|
| LMIA | Not required |
| Employer-specific or open work permits | Both |
| Do you need a job offer? | Only open work permit applicants are exempt from the job offer requirement. |
| Purpose | To advance Canada's broader economic and cultural interests |
| Processing times | Many IMP streams have a two-week work permit processing standard |
Popular Work Permit Programs Under the IMP
Post-Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
The Post Graduate Work Permit is open which means that you don’t need a job offer to apply for this Canadian work visa but you must have graduated from a designated tertiary institution in Canada. It’s the leading stream of work permits issued under the IMP and accounted for 35 percent of all IMP work permits obtained by foreign workers in 2020.
To qualify for a PGWP you must enroll for an eligible course of at least eight months in length from one of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories.
Are you looking for an affordable way to study in Canada? As a leading immigration and visa firm in Canada, we have a partnership with Evergreen College in Toronto. Evergreen College offers exciting short courses at even better rates that will allow you to qualify for a PGWP. Fill in your details below to learn more about this option!
Intra-Company Transfers
If you work for a company that has a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada, you may be able to apply for an employer-specific work permit from Tunisia through the Intra-Company Transfer Program. Intracompany transferees are typically skilled workers that provide significant economic benefit to Canada by sharing their knowledge and skills with others in their sister company. A work permit under this category will be valid for 12 months and you may be able to extend it.
In order to be eligible to work in Canada under the Intra-Company Transfer program, Tunisian workers must fall into one of three categories:
- Executives: Direct the management of the enterprise, or a major component thereof, and receive only general (if any) supervision from higher-level executives.
- Senior managers: Direct the management of the enterprise, or a major component thereof, and receive only general (if any) supervision from higher-level executives.
- Workers with ‘specialized knowledge’: Can demonstrate specialized knowledge of the enterprise’s product or service, or an advanced level of expertise in the enterprise’s processes and procedures.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Alternatively, you can apply for a Canadian work permit from Tunisia through the TFWP. This category is labour-market based and designed for employers in Canada to hire foreign workers to fill job shortages across the country.
To qualify for a work permit you must have a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) document. The processing times for work permit applications under the TFWP can run to many months with the exception of highly skilled workers under the Global Talent Stream (GTS), who qualify for two-week application processing.
| Work Permits Under the TFWP | |
|---|---|
| LMIA | Required |
| Employer-specific work permits or open work permits | Employer-Specific |
| Do you need a job offer? | Yes |
| Purpose | Labour market-based (to fill shortages on a temporary basis) |
| Processing times | Two-week processing standard is only available for certain occupations and top 10% wage earners, otherwise, the process can run to many months |
Popular Work Permit Programs Under the TWFP
Low and High Skilled Worker Streams
Canadian employers who are struggling to fill job positions at their companies and businesses can hire foreign workers from Tunisia through the Low and High Skilled Worker Streams of the TFWP. They need to first prove that no Canadian or permanent resident was willing or available to fill the position with the help of a labor market assessment. You can qualify for a work visa under this program if you have a Canadian job offer supported by an LMIA.
Good to Know
If you’re a low-wage worker such as a farmworker or a truck driver who obtained a work visa through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) then your employer will be responsible for your transportation to and from Canada, as well as offering you affordable housing.
Agriculture and Caregiver Streams
Eligible agriculture workers, as well as caregivers from Tunisia, can work in Canada by applying for work permits through the Agriculture Worker Stream and the Caregiver Stream of the TFWP. Why these specific workers? Well, Canada has an ongoing demand for workers in these positions, especially during peak farming periods and because of its rapidly aging population who require in-home care.
As with any work visa obtained through the TFWP, you must have a valid job offer and an LMIA to apply.
Advantages of Working in Canada from Tunisia
Your spouse and children can join you in Canada
Do you have a spouse or common-law partner? The good news is that the significant others of skilled foreign workers with valid Canadian work visas may qualify for open work permits. This means that your spouse or common-law partner can work anywhere in Canada and doesn’t need to arrange employment before applying. Your children can also join you in Canada by enrolling at primary or secondary schools with valid study permits.
Qualify for even more immigration programs
If you work in Canada and gain Canadian work experience you automatically qualify for even more immigration programs and improve your chances of becoming a permanent resident of Canada. In 2020 and continuing into 2021, the Express Entry immigration system favored Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates who received the most Invitations to Apply (ITAs) throughout the year. These candidates have an edge because they have worked in Canada for a minimum of one year already.
Benefit from a strong economy and higher quality of life
Working in a first-world country like Canada with a strong economy and modern infrastructure is a surefire way to increase your and your family's quality of life by earning a higher salary, having access to more facilities, and the many possibilities for upward mobility in life and your career. Not to mention Canada’s excellent public healthcare and schooling systems that are available to all citizens, permanent residents, and foreign workers.
Is Canada’s Work Visa Difficult to Get?
In short, it depends on the work permit program you qualify for. Some work visas are easier to obtain than others, and the documents required for your application may differ. In some cases, you need a job offer letter and a labor market impact assessment. In other cases, you may only need an offer of employment. The first step is to determine for which program you qualify and to learn more about what’s needed to submit a successful application.
Is Canada Accepting Work Visa Applications?
Since the start of the pandemic, many foreign workers have been wondering if they can apply to work in Canada. The answer is yes but essential workers in healthcare and agriculture are given priority processing at this time. The current travel restrictions in Canada and COVID-19 regulations only allow travel for essential work purposes. So if you are a foreign worker with a letter of introduction (work permit acceptance letter) and a valid job offer you can travel to Canada.
Discover Your Options Today
By completing our in-depth eligibility assessment, we can identify which Canadian work visa from Tunisia is right for you. On top of that, our certified visa consultants can take care of all your paperwork and submit a complete application on your behalf, increasing your chances of success! Ready to start? Simply, fill in your details below.
