Immigration 101 For IT Companies Bringing Temporary Foreign Workers To Canada

You are the Human Resources Director for a Canadian-based IT company with affiliates and subsidiaries in numerous countries. One of your responsibilities is to manage the temporary foreign workers employed by your company in Canada. All individuals are subject to Canadian immigration laws that apply to temporary foreign workers, unless they are either a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident. Under these laws, every person who participates in employment in Canada requires a work permit. The definition of employment is very broad, and most business travellers to Canada fall into this category.

Working in Canada Temporarily: Relevant Considerations

But when do you require a work permit? The Foreign Worker Manual assists in interpreting the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Citizenship and Immigration Canada's policy with respect to temporary foreign workers. According to the Manual, if an individual performs an activity that will result in