YOUNG PEOPLE AND BUSINESS VISITORS
The Visa procedure is different for those who want to enter Canada as temporary workers or as business people rather than seeking permanent residence.
TEMPORARY WORKERS
Foreign workers are usually granted temporary work visas if their skills are in high demand or if they can provide economic benefits to Canada. Temporary workers must have an established job offers from a Canadian employer before a visa is granted. In many cases, the job offer will have to be validated first by a Canadian Employment Centre prior to the processing of the application (at a fee of about C$125). The authorisation ensures that the employment opportunities of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not affected by granting visa privileges to the temporary worker. The authorisation given is for a specified period of time although extensions may be granted.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Young people looking for summer or longer term temporary work in Canada are faced with even more obstacles than older workers who often have skills, education or job experience to assist them. Like all temporary workers, students and other young people who wish to work in Canada must have a firm job offer before they can apply for the limited number of work authorisations granted each year.
Summer employment for young people is fiercely sought after in Canada. It has been recently estimated that only half of all young people seeking employment in Canada each summer will find a job. This means even more limited opportunities for those who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
BUSINESS PEOPLE
Business class workers fall into two categories. Business people from the United States and Mexico (business travellers, professionals, intra-company transferees, trader and investors) can more easily attain temporary access to Canada by means of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The business visitor must be paid by, or engaged in one of the following occupations: research and design; growth, manufacture and production; marketing, sales and distribution; after-sales service; or general service.
Other business persons who wish to enter the country periodically to conduct their business or to check on their investments may obtain a spacial business visa. Business visas are valid for one year and there is no limit to the number of visits.
As a general rule, once a visa has been granted an individual may not change their status without authorisation. For example, a person granted a temporary working visa may not change jobs without first obtaining authorisation to do so. In addition, visitors must leave the country once the time period specified by the visa has expired.
More information: Brownstein & Brownstein, Attorneys, Tel. 001-514-939-9559. Fax 001-514-939-2289. Or write to: 1310 Greene Avenue, Suite 750, Montreal, Quebec, H3Z 2B2 Canada.
Brownstein representatives visit London on a regular basis to meet applicants interested in immigration to Canada. The next visit is scheduled for March when they can be contacted at the Kensington Holiday Inn on 0171-373-2222.
