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55th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

Visas and Immigration

Work Permits

(July 18, 2008)

NOTE : ALL DOCUMENTS NOT ORIGINALLY PREPARED IN ENGLISH OR FRENCH MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A TRANSLATION.

YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED AND SIGNED IMM 5476 “USE OF A REPRESENTATIVE” FORM WITH YOUR APPLICATION. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PAID REPRESENTATIVE PLEASE WRITE 'NO REPRESENTATIVE' ON THE FORM.

Who needs a work permit?

Everyone who intends to work in Canada must apply for a Work Permit before they enter Canada. You must have a job offer from a Canadian employer before you make this application. In addition, with only a few exceptions, your job offer must be accompanied by an Economic Effect Determination confirmed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), a department of the Canadian federal government.

A few occupations are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Work Permit. Please do not make an application for a work permit if you intend to work in one of the exempted occupations. Please refer to our website for a list of work permit exempt occupations.

Steps in applying for a Work Permit:

Step 1. Download an application kit from:

Step 2. Take the Canadian Immigration Medical Exam. (Applicable if intention is to remain in Canada for 6 months or longer.)

Step 3. Gather all required documents. (All required documents should be issued within 1 month of applying for a work permit.)

Step 4. Submit your application:

  • Use drop box in the reception area of the Embassy or by mail.
  • Incomplete applications may result in refusal.
  • The application form (IMM1295) should be filled out carefully and signed by the applicant. If an applicant has knowingly submitted false information, the application will be refused.
  • Original documents submitted with the application will not be returned. It will be kept in your file.
  • Please fill out the application form and a courier slip with all available phone numbers and address of applicant.

Processing Times: Please visit www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/times-int/index.html

How to receive your Work Permit:

A Work Permit approval letter or refusal letter will be sent by collect courier to the mailing address specified on the courier slip. If you have not submitted a courier slip, the letter will be sent to the mailing address specified on the application form.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

  1. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
    1. Photocopy of the first two pages of your passport and of the passports of all dependants who will accompany you to Canada. If you have extended the passport, please include a photocopy of the page with the extended validity date. Non-Korean nationals who require a visa must submit their original passport at time of application.
      Note : Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your expected entry to Canada.
    2. One passport-sized photograph of yourself and all accompanying dependants
    3. Completed and signed worker application form: completed in English or French
    4. Original payment receipt of processing fee: See our fee schedule.
    5. Medical examination confirmation letter: See B and note on accompanying family members below.
    6. Offer of employment from a Canadian employer containing a description of duties and job requirements, the duration of employment and salary to be paid.
      (For an executive or senior managerial transferee position, we may accept an official assignment document from your Korean employer which indicates your current position, duties and remuneration, etc.)
    7. Confirmation of offer of employment (Labour Market Opinion, or LMO) from HRSDC or SERVCAN (if applicable)
    8. Proof of work experience and education relevant to the job
    9. Proof of all activities and employment since your 18th birthday. You must include income tax certificate from your last 3 years of employment. If this is not available, you must submit a statement explaining why, as well as sufficient other evidence to support your stated level of employment income (bank statements with salary payments highlighted, day worker employment insurance certificate issued by the Ministry of Labour, or national pension contribution certificate)
    10. Proof of funds (certificate of income, bank book copies, etc); if you are submitting proof of bank savings, please include a "Certificate of Deposit Balance" and a photocopy of the bank book for each bank account
    11. Up-to-date Family Relations Certificate
    12. Completed IMM 5476 - Use of a Representative form (if applicable)
    13. Courier Service Slip: For faster delivery of your work permit approval letter, please include a courier service receipt from an Embassy-approved courier company. Forms for courier services may be obtained near the drop box in the immigration reception area.
    14. All applicants must also provide original police certificates from Korea. Live-in-Caregiver applicants and Provincial Nominees must also supply original police certificates from every country in which they have lived for over 6 months since the age of 18 - photocopies will not be accepted.
    15. Alien Registration Card : Non-Korean nationals are required to submit a photocopy, front and back, of their Alien Registration card. If unavailable, please provide a written statement explaining why it is unavailable.
    16. In addition to the documents noted above, applicants for the Live-in-Caregiver program must also provide:
      • -birth certificates for their children (if applicable)
      • -marriage certificate (if applicable)
      • -your prospective employer’s most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), as well as any other proof of income or funds indicating their ability to pay your salary. If your employer is sending the NOA separately to the Embassy, please ensure that the LMO number and applicant's name is noted on the page.
      • -A reference letter from any previous employment as a Live-in-Caregiver. The letter must be signed, dated, and include a description of duties and the current telephone number and address of the employer or it will not be considered.

      **Note : You must also submit a medical examination confirmation letter for any accompanying family members (spouse/child) who are planning to join you within a year. If you are planning to work or study in Canada, you should submit an application for an open work or study permit (with appropriate fee payment) for them along with your own work permit application. If they are simply accompanying you as visitors no additional fee is required. We will not issue a medical letter (see Bulletin 66) for any dependents travelling to Canada within a year of the issuance of a work permit for the principal applicant.

  2. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:
    If you plan to remain in Canada for 6 months or longer you and all your accompanying dependents must undergo a medical examination. This medical examination must be conducted by a physician designated by the Canadian Embassy. The doctor will provide you with a sealed medical assessment letter which you submit, seal intact, with your application. You will find further instructions on undergoing a medical examination in the work permit application kit. If you are intending to work for any length of time in any of the following professions, you will be required to undergo a medical: workers in the health services, teachers of primary or secondary school children, domestic workers and live-in caregivers, workers who give in-home care, or day nursery employees. NOTE: Visit our website for a list of designated medical examiners.

    The medical examination confirmation letter provided by our Designated Medical Practitioners

Immigration Links
Date Modified:
2008-11-13
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