Canada is a home for thousands and hundreds of Filipinos. Because of many job opportunities, many Filipinos choose Canada for work reasons.
Because of its superb healthcare system, breathtaking natural beauty, stable economy, ample work opportunities, and generally good quality of life, Canada has ranked among the finest countries in the world for immigration.
Also Read: How to Identify Illegal Recruiters in the Philippines
Filipinos who choose to study before looking for work will find Canada, the ideal country to study. In contrast to its neighboring country, the United States, Canada enables students to work 20 hours per week on or off school.
Furthermore, you can bring your spouse with you and allow him or her to have full-time work while studying.
Table of Contents
Requirements
These are the requirements for applying and searching for a job in Canada.
- Passport (valid for more than six months)
- Passport copy(All pages of the passport must be photocopied)
- Two 2×2 photos
- Approved job order
- NBI Clearance/Police Clearance
- Resume/CV
- High School/College Diploma
- Marriage Certificate (Original and Photocopy)
- Birth Certificate (Original and Photocopy)
- If applying in Quebec, you must get a Certificate d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ)
- National Certificate from TESDA(if applicable)
- Medical Certificate
- LMIA(Labor Market Impact Assessment)
- Work Permit
- Visa
Qualifications
The applicant must be at least 18 years old to apply for work in Canada. Educational attainment must be at least high school graduate to qualify.
How to Search for POEA Jobs in Canada
Here are the step-by-step guide on searching and applying for jobs in Canada.
1. Check your qualifications and your choices
There are two things that may hinder you to work in Canada. It’s either you are not qualified or you are not allowed to go to Canada.
If you have the skills, you can work in Canada as long as you are allowed as per Canada’s immigration law.
There are different programs for immigrants offered by the Canadian government. Choose a program that suits your needs. You can either be a permanent resident or a temporary foreign worker.
A. Express Entry
If it is your goal to be a permanent resident in Canada, then, these are the available programs for you.
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program
This program is for professional and skilled workers who wanted to be established in Canada’s workforce and is aiming for a permanent residency.
The applicants must have education equivalent to Canadian high school diploma, language proficiency(Canadian Language Benchmark of 7) , and skilled work experience(12 months) in Canada.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
This program offers permanent residency for those who have at least one year work experience in Canada. But here’s a catch: you are not guarantee to receive an invitation to apply.
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program
This is the only federal economic immigration program that gives preference to people who work in trades jobs when they come to Canada. It allows skilled tradespeople from all over the world to move to Canada and live there for good.
It will take a long time before your application will get noticed or approved if you applied in one of these three programs.
Here is an easier option for you.
B. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
This is a short-term work visa for Filipino workers who want to work in Canada for a short period of time. In the TFWP, people can only work in the country for six months, but there are also chances to extend that time.
TFWP is a stepping stone to some Filipinos in becoming a permanent resident in Canada. They become qualified to apply through the Canadian experience class if they have gained experience.
2. Job Searching
Now, it’s time for job hunting. Here are the options for you to find jobs if you have decided what program is suited for you.
A. Job Bank
If you want to become a permanent resident in a short span of time and also, you have evaluated yourself and you know that you are qualified for the Express Entry, then apply through Job Bank.
This is an official Canadian website for job postings that matches the applicant to the employers.
1. Visit the official Canadian website for job listings. Click ‘Job Bank’ to redirect you on the site. The website will look like this.
2. Enter your desired work or position on the ‘What’ and enter a Canadian place or state on the ‘Location’ on where in Canada you wanted to work. And click the Search icon.
3. And you will be shown results based on your search.
B. POEA Website
If you wanted to work in Canada and doesn’t have patience to wait, then, this is for you.
1. Search ‘POEA’ on the available search engine on your device.
2. Then, click on Online Services.
3. After that, select ‘Verification of Agency’s Job Orders.’
4. You will be shown with three choices on how you want to search for your preferred job and country.
5. In the drop-down menu, choose Canada.
6. Then hit ‘Search’.
7. Then, you will be shown job offers in Canada. Choose the job you preferred.
3. Prepare the necessary documents
Put all of the documents in one folder and organize it. The documents includes
4. Wait to receive your documents
Wait for the documents from the Canada to arrive. Employees in Canada are required to get an application for the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
What is LMIA?
LMIA or Labor Market Impacted Assessment proves that an employer is looking for an employee who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident in Canada, but no one is available, willing, or qualified to get the job. In this case, an employer choose to hire a foreign employee.
Note: This may take months to get, so, the application must start as soon as possible.
How to get an LMIA?
LMIA can be availed from the Employment and Social Development Canada(ESDC) which assesses the impact of employing a foreign worker to the Canadian Labor Market.
Reminder: If the employer was not granted LMIA, you can either find another job or you can try again. If the employer was granted LMIA, then, it is time to proceed to the next step.
5. Get a Work Permit and Visa
Before applying for a work permit, you must know that not all of the jobs requires work permit. To check if your job needs work permit, click Work Permit to redirect you on the site.
You also need to know that there are two types of work permit in Canada: employer-specific work permit and open work permit. Employer-specific work permit is for those who are hired by a specific employer in Canada. This work permit does not allow employees to work for other employers. Unlike in the open work permit, this allows workers to apply to different employees. This is only available for limited number of applicants. You can apply for an open work permit if you are in this list.
To apply for a work permit and Visa, you must have these forms completed.
- NBI Clearance(issued within 3 months)
- Original Passport (valid at least 6 months with two blank pages and bio-page)
- Old passport (if applicable)
- IMM 5707/IMM 5645E( Accomplished Family Information Form)
- IMM 1295 (Accomplished Work Permit Form Outside Canada)
- IMM 5257B(Schedule 1 Form)- Of you have answered ‘YES’ to the questions on the background information presented in the application form.
- IMM 5474(Authority to Release Personal Details to an Individual) – if applicable
- IMM 5476(Representative Form Usage)- if applicable
- IMM 5409(Statutory Declaration of Common Law Union) – if applicable
- Fee of 155 Canadian Dollars( equivalent to 6,411 pesos)
1. Online Application for Work Permit
Application of work permit can be done online or through paper.
It is recommended to pass your application online since it is fast and cost-effective. This also guarantee that an applicant can submit another document if they will request for it. The status of the application can be checked online.
Click this link to apply.
You will be shown this page. Select ‘Option 1’ if you already have an account. Select ‘Register’ to create an account if you are not yet registered on the site.
Select ‘Apply to come to Canada.’
Select between the two options: Apply for ‘Open Work Permit’ or Apply for ‘Employer-Specific Work Permit’.
Answer the questions being asked.
Upload necessary documents. Refer to the list of documents that will be uploaded above.
Pay the online fee through debit or credit card.
Biometrics request
Schedule an appointment for biometrics capturing at Visa Application Centers.
There are only two Visa Application Centers for Canada in the Philippines. These two are located in Manila and Cebu.
Here are the addresses:
VFS Services Phils. Pvt. Inc.
Manila Branch
29th Floor, The World Center Bldg., 330 Send. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
Cebu Branch
9F Kepel Center Unit, 905 Samar Loop Cor., Cardinal Rosales Ave., Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, Philippines
Go to the Visa Application Center in your scheduled date. Bring your passport, biometrics instruction letter and appointment letter. Prepare extra money for additional fees.
Note: You must have your biometrics captured within 30 days after the submission of work permit application.
2. Get a Medical Examination
Medical exam can be required for other, or not necessary for other applicants. If you will need to undergo a medical examination, a representative will instruct you on how and where the medical exam will be held.
3. Receive an Approval Letter
You will receive an approval letter with the details stated in your contract if your application was approved.
Note: This is not your work permit. You can receive your work permit if you already arrived in Canada.
6. Prepare to Work to Canada
Attend Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar since this is require by the POEA. This will help you a lot because this includes information about processes for job application, fees, and ways to avoid being a victim of illegal recruitment.
You must also get an OEC because it serves as your exit clearance in the Philippines. You will present it at the airport before leaving the Philippines.
Be educated of the laws and customs of your host country. Also know the weather condition and the traditions of the country you will be working for.
7. To Canada
You will undergo screening just to make sure that you are the person who has been approved to work in their country.
After the screening, you will need to present these documents.
- Port of Entry(POE) Letter of Introduction
- Passport
- Visa
- LMIA copy
- Proof of working experience
- Employment number
Video: Search for POEA Jobs in Canada
YouTube Channel: Wynnona De Villa
This video discusses about trusted agencies certified by POEA, as well as the job vacancies in those agencies. The video also tells about the qualifications in each job vacancies. This also include tips on how to write a resume for a job in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the following FAQs to help you out.
1. How do you work in Canada if you are a Filipino?
You’ll still need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in the Philippines, even if you’ve previously reached an agreement with your Canadian employer. The visa will allow you to fly to Canada, but your work permit will not be issued until you arrive.
2. Can I work in Canada without experience?
You can work in Canada on an open work permit using the Working Holiday Visa (WHV). This means that you can work in any job you can think of anyplace in Canada.
3. How long can a Filipino stay in Canada?
The majority of travelers are allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months. If you entered Canada with a stamped passport, you must depart by the date stamped in your passport.
4. How do I get a 3 year work permit in Canada?
Graduates of two-year or longer study programs are generally eligible for a three-year work permit. If the program of studies is less than two years but longer than eight months, the student will be given a work visa for the duration of the program.
5. How long is Canada work permit valid?
With few exceptions, work permits in Canada are normally good for 1-2 years. In most cases, a visa officer will not issue a work permit for a period longer than the validity of the applicant’s passport or the period indicated on the applicant’s Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
6. What happens if you work in Canada without a work permit?
In most cases, however, a worker will need a work permit to be legally able to work in Canada. Working without a work permit can result in a one-year exclusion order or a deportation order, which is a lifetime ban on re-entering Canada.
Summary
So, that is the end of the article. I hope you learn something from this. You can use this as a guide in pursuing your dream career in Canada. It may take time, effort and patience to wait for opportunities and to process for work in Canada, but if you have an end goal in mind, you will find this process a step closer to your dream.
Tara, Magandang Kita, Makikita mo sa Canada!