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Temporary Residence

A viable pathway to relocating to Alberta and securing a work permit in the province involves pursuing Temporary Residence.
Securing a work permit through one of the available Temporary Residence channels allows you to reside and work in Alberta for a specified duration, after which you’ll need to extend the permit. Nevertheless, obtaining a work permit by these means may also assist your application as a permanent resident.

Work Permit Eligibility Options:

The following table lists the work permit types available for major countries.

CountryWork Permit Options
USALMIACUSMARural Renewal
AustraliaLMIAIECRural Renewal
EnglandLMIAIECRural Renewal
ScotlandLMIAIECRural Renewal
IrelandLMIAIECRural Renewal
FranceLMIAIECFMPRural Renewal
MexicoLMIACUSMARural Renewal
The NetherlandsLMIAIECRural Renewal
New ZealandLMIAIECRural Renewal
KoreaLMIARural Renewal
IndiaLMIARural Renewal

Understanding The Work Permit Options

Gain insight into the procedures and requirements necessary to secure a work permit via these Temporary Residence options:

Labour Market Impact Assessment

LMIA
Learn More

Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement

CUSMA
Learn More

Francophone Mobility Program

Learn More

International Experience Canada

IEC
Learn More

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program: Rural Renewal Stream

AAIP
Learn More
Document Checklist

Temporary Residence (Work Permit)

View this checklist covering the necessary documents you may need to present for your Temporary Residence application.

  • completed Immigration Application form
  • copy of passport biodata
  • digital photo
  • copy of all study permits, work permits, and visitor records
  • copy of birth certificate
  • proof of French Proficiency - may be required
  • copy of Academic transcripts and Diploma or Certificate of Completion
  • For current and previous employment reference letters, please note that the letters must contain the job title, a full job description, hours worked, wage, start and end date, and employer contact information. Letters are to be addressed to “IRCC” or “to whom it may concern”.
  • Copy of Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • paystubs (3 most recent months)
  • copy of marriage certificate, if applicable
  • bank statements (4 most recent months)
  • Documents showing any ties to your country such as property ownership, vehicle insurance, rental lease agreements, etc., if applicable
  • Upfront medical exam from an approved IRCC panel physician. Find physicians approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. However, this is only if your country requires it, please verify if your country requires an upfront medical exam.
  • Police certificate clearance for each country where you have resided for more than 6 months since you turned 18, please see how to get a police certificate, if this applies to you.
  • Additional country-specific or applicant-specific documents may be required.
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Labour Market Impact Assessment
(LMIA)

Key Highlights of LMIA:

  • It is employer-driven
  • It is a closed work permit and employer-specific: the applicant is bound to a particular employer for the duration of their work permit
  • The work permit is valid for 2-3 years
  • It opens pathways to Permanent Residence
  • It allows dependents to accompany the applicant (because veterinarians and veterinary technologists are considered to be skilled workers)

Key Highlights of LMIA:

LMIA is an employer-driven application where the employer requests permission from the Canadian government to hire a foreign worker because the employer is not able to find a suitable Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident to fill that position.

As an internationally trained veterinary professional, you are just expected to apply for this position when it is advertised.

Visa Application: Requirements From The Internationally Trained Veterinary Professional

  • The employer kick-starts the process by offering the applicant the job and applying for the LMIA. Once the LMIA is approved, the applicant is to use the LMIA confirmation to request for a work visa (if required) or work permit (if from a visa-exempt country).
  • To apply for a work permit, the applicant will need a job offer letter, a contract, a copy of the LMIA, and the LMIA number.

Processing Time

  • The work permit processing times depend on the country of citizenship or residence of the applicant. Check for the up-to-date processing times for LMIA.
  • To apply for a work permit, the applicant will need a job offer letter, a contract, a copy of the LMIA, and the LMIA number.

LMIA Employer Requirements

1. Advertising:
Since the grounds for requesting an LMIA are to prove that no suitable Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident could be found, employers must advertise the position for a minimum of 30 days according to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requirements. ESDC has strict requirements for what the ads must contain.
2. Recruitment Tracking:
While the ads are running, employers review all applications received from Canadians and Permanent Residents to determine whether any candidates meet the requirements for the position. The recruitment results must be provided as part of the LMIA application submitted to Service Canada.
3. Document Collection and LMIA Submission:
The LMIA submission must include the following:
  • Proof of recruitment such as a copy of the advertisement and information to support where, when and for how long the position was advertised.
  • Business registration or legal incorporation documents
  • Provincial/municipal business licence
  • Corporate certificate
  • PD7A for the past 12 months
  • T4 summary of remuneration
  • Canada Revenue Agency:
  • T2 Schedule 100 Balance Sheet Information (for corporations only – 2 most recent returns filed)
  • T2 Schedule 125 Income Statement Information (for corporations only – 2 most recent returns filed)
  • Provincial/territorial workplace safety and insurance (e.g. workers’ compensation board) clearance letter/certificate (if applicable)
  • Commercial lease agreement (where applicable and if first LMIA submitted by the employer). This does not apply to employers of in-home caregivers
  • Provincial documentation requirements: ALBERTA - Employment Agency Business Licence (Alberta’s Fair Trading Act) if applicable
4. ESDC Interview:
Finally, the LMIA process comes to an end with a phone interview with an ESDC LMIA agent. The purpose of the interview is to confirm the LMIA application information, review any changes that may have occurred since the submission, and discuss the recruitment campaign and its results. As noted earlier, an updated summary of the recruitment data may be requested. Following the interview, the immigration agent will make the final decision.
5. LMIA Approval:
LMIA gets approved followed by Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) work.
For more information and other useful resources on the Labour Market Impact Assessment process, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
MORE LMIA INFO

Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

Key Highlights of CUSMA:

  • CUSMA application is assessed under the LMIA-exemption category, which means the internationally trained veterinary professional does not require an LMIA for their application to be processed
  • It is employer-driven
  • It is a closed work permit: the applicant is bound to a particular employer for the duration of their work permit
  • The work permit is valid for up to 3 years
  • It opens pathways to Permanent Residence
  • It allows dependents to accompany

CUSMA Background

CUSMA seeks to liberalize trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada and abolish tariffs and other trade barriers. Part of the agreement covers the flow of citizens between the countries’ borders. 

Veterinary professionals are on the list of professions eligible for an LMIA exemption through CUSMA.

General Requirements for CUSMA Professionals:

  • Citizenship of the U.S. or Mexico
  • Professions identified in Appendix 2 of CUSMA, includes veterinary professionals
  • Qualification to work in that profession (degree or certification in a related educational program)
  • Pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer
  • Provision of professional-level services in the field of qualification
  • Compliance with existing immigration requirements for temporary entry

Specific documentation required:

  • Proof of American or Mexican citizenship
  • Confirmation of pre-arranged employment provided by either of the following:
  • A signed contract with a Canadian enterprise
  • Evidence of an offer of employment from a Canadian employer
  • A letter from the American or Mexican employer on whose behalf the service will be provided to the Canadian enterprise
  • Documentation which provides the following information:
  • The proposed employer in Canada
  • The profession for which entry is sought
  • Details of the position (title, duties, duration of employment, arrangements as to payment
  • The educational qualifications or alternative credentials required for the position
  • Evidence that the person has at least the minimum education requirements and alternative credentials listed in Appendix 2 of CUSMA (copies of degrees, diplomas, professional licenses, accreditation or registration, etc.).

For more information and useful resources on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) processes, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

More CUSMA Info

Francophone Mobility Program (FMP)

Key Highlights Of The Francophone Mobility Program:

  • It is an LMIA-exempt application assessed under the LMIA-exemption category. This means the applicant does not require an LMIA for their application to be processed.
  • It is employer-driven.
  • It is a closed work permit and employer-specific: the applicant is bound to a particular employer for the duration of the work permit.
  • Work permit valid for up to 3 years.
  • Opens pathways to Permanent Residence.
  • Allows dependents to accompany.

Francophone Mobility Program Background

The Francophone Mobility Program is a culturally mandated program, implemented to promote francophone immigration and the use of the French language in communities outside Quebec.

Eligibility Requirements For The Program Are:

  • Job offer outside of Quebec.
  • Proof of French language proficiency or ability to communicate in French.
  • Admissible to Canada.
  • Qualified to the position being offered.

Internationally trained veterinary professionals who meet the above criteria are eligible for an LMIA exemption through the Francophone Mobility Program.

Work permit processing times depend on the country of citizenship or residence of the applicant. Check for the up-to-date processing times.

For more information and useful resources on the Francophone Mobility Program processes, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

More FMP Info

International Experience Canada (IEC)

Key Highlights Of The International Experience Canada:

  • LMIA exemption for youth in participating countries.
  • It is employer-driven or open.
  • It can be a closed work permit (employer-specific) or open work permit. A closed work permit means the applicant is bound to a particular employer for the duration of their work permit, while open work permits allow applicants to work in Canada for any number of employers and in various locations.
  • Work permit is valid for up to 1-2 years.
  • It opens pathways to Permanent Residence.

Overview Of International Experience Canada

International Experience Canada (IEC) allows youths to travel and work in Canada for up to 2 years.
There are 3 different kinds of work and travel experiences available:
  • Working holiday (open work permit).
  • Young professionals (employer-specific work permit).
  • International Co-op (employer-specific work permit).
The IEC is a 2 step process including an Expression of Interest and then the preparation and submission of a work permit application upon receiving an invitation to apply. If the applicant is a citizen of a partner country, they may be able to apply to one or more of these 3 categories.
For more information and useful resources on the International Experience Canada processes, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
More IEC Info

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP): Rural Renewal Stream

AAIP: Rural Renewal Stream Process Overview:

  • An eligible job offer
  • A community endorsement
  • Apply to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
  • Receive AAIP nomination with a letter of support
  • Apply for work permit
  • Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for Permanent Residence

This immigration partway falls under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Those who are eligible and possess a job offer from an employer in a designated Alberta community, along with an endorsement letter from said community, are then able to apply for nomination under the AAIP. The applicant must intend to and be able to reside and work in the designated community in Alberta.

With the AAIP nomination a letter of support may be issued, allowing the applicant to request an LMIA exempt Work Permit. The AAIP nomination will also allow the applicant to apply for Permanent Residence.

A minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months before the application is required. The experience can be a combination of experiences gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) or abroad. 

Depending on your specific background, additional documents (e.g. death certificate of spouse (if widowed), adoption certificate, proof of aliases, and so on) may be required.

Application acceptance dates, application targets and processing times are posted on AAIP processing times and application levels. They are subject to change. Applicants and prospective applicants should visit regularly for the most current information.

Find updates on the program and other AAIP programs here AAIP updates.

For more information and useful resources on how to apply for AAIP: Rural Renewal Stream, visit the Alberta government website.

More AAIP: Rural Renewal Stream Info