By Ligia Chiari, Employment Counsellor / Mentoring Coach at Canada InfoNet
We get this very common question from individuals who are getting ready to immigrate to Canada. Short answer is: Yes, you can. However, there are a few details you should take into consideration when making the decision to apply for Canadian jobs.
To be employed in Canada you need to have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and be legally allowed to work in the country.
If you are already a Permanent Resident – who has landed and then left Canada – you are allowed to work from anywhere in the world, as long as your employer agrees to it. With the increase in remote work, this possibility has become more and more frequent.
If you have been approved for Permanent Residency but have not landed yet you will be able to legally work in Canada as soon as you land and get your SIN. So, if you have a date of arrival already you can – and should – start applying for jobs as the hiring process itself can take up to 60 days. If this is the case, it is advised that you disclose this information to the employer so they know that you are not hoping for a visa sponsorship, you will be entitled to work in the country as soon as you land. Targeting jobs for which your skill set is unique increases your chances of an employer willing to wait for you to arrive.
If you don’t know when you will be landing and wish to start working before you land as a permanent resident you need to discuss with the employer if they hire international workers, in this case it is up to the employer to figure out the legalities involved as you are not allowed to work in Canada without a work visa or permanent residency.
Whatever your case is, discussing it with an Employment Specialist can help you understand when is the best time to start applying for jobs and how to communicate with the employer about your status.
Canada InfoNet helps internationally trained professionals who have been approved for immigration to Canada prepare for employment in the country. Our services are free and we offer one-on-one support with an employment specialist that can help you create a personalized job search strategy. Register here.
