1.0 Introduction
This guide explains how you can apply for a short-term work permit under the International Mobility Program before submitting an application for permanent residence under the Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program.
Only foreign nationals who have received a Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support issued by a designated entity may be considered for a short-term work permit. The designated entity must support the request for a work permit.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for a work permit. You do not need to apply for permanent residence first.
2.0 Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a work permit, you must:
- plan to live in a province or territory other than Quebec
- pay the employer compliance fee
- have received a Commitment Certificate and a Letter of Support from a designated entity indicating that you are “essential” and there are urgent business reasons for your early entry to Canada (i.e. section 8.0 of the Commitment Certificate is completed) and
- have sufficient funds to meet the low income cut off for your family for 52 weeks
Before submitting an application for a work permit, you must submit your ‘self-employed’ offer of employment, as well as pay the $230 employer compliance fee.
3.0 Submit your offer of employment and pay the employer compliance fee
If your business has registered for a Canada Revenue Agency business number, follow the instructions in section 4.0.
If your business has not yet registered for a Canada Revenue Agency business number, follow the instructions in section 5.0.
4.0 Submit your offer of employment and pay the fee through the Employer Portal
If your business has registered for a Canada Revenue Agency business number, you must use the online Employer Portal to submit your offer of employment and pay the employer compliance fee.
To do this, you must first enroll in the Employer Portal. For instructions on how to enroll, see the Employer Portal Enrolment Guide.
After you have successfully enrolled in the Employer Portal, you can log in using your secure credential user ID and password (using a Sign-In Partner or GCKey). For more information on using the Employer Portal, please read the Employer Portal User Guide.
4.1 Create an offer of employment
When you log into your account, you will see the Employer Portal welcome page. Under “What would you like to do today?”
