Each year tens of thousands of individuals enter Canada as foreign workers to temporarily fill employment needs in Canada . Many people desire to work temporarily in Canada for different reasons. Some arrive simply to fill a short term skill shortage for a particular employer, while others have finished a University degree in Canada and desire to put their degree into practice under a one year post-graduation work permit. In every case, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) ensure that these workers have the ability to support economic growth in Canada as well as the potential to create more opportunities for all Canadian job seekers.

A work permit must be obtained in order to work in Canada. There are three things an applicant must do in order to apply for a work permit:

• Receive a guaranteed job offer from a Canadian employer.
• Attain a labour market opinion or job offer confirmation from HRDC.
• After receipt of item 1 and item 2, apply to CIC for a work permit.
• Work permit holders cannot immigrate to Canada on a work permit. Those interested in immigrating to Canada as a permanent resident must apply for Skilled-worker Class immigration.