Key Information Sources for Newcomers to Canada...
The first part of this guide provides the steps that need to be taken to obtain a work permit for foreign workers who receiv a job offer from NRC. The second part provides a list of useful websites for newcomers in Canada.
STEPS TO OBTAIN A WORK PERMIT AND ENTER IN CANADA
* Human Resources at NRC must obtain a "labour market opinion" or "confirmation" of the job offer through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC); and then send a copy of the "confirmation" letter to the foreign worker (Note: a "confirmation" verifies that there will be no negative impact on the labour market i.e. job opportunities for Canadians/permanent residents);
* The foreign worker sends his/her application to the appropriate Canadian visa office of his/her area of residence. The application should include the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) application form for a work permit, the "confirmation" letter and any other documents requested by CIC (the application form for a work permit and any other information on this subject is available on the CIC web site);
* The Canadian visa office verifies the qualifications and experience of the applicant to ensure they match those outlined in the job offer. May require an in-person interview;
* The Canadian visa office also conducts health and security checks;
* The Canadian visa office partially completes a work permit in CIC computerized system, and sends to the foreign worker a letter confirming the approval;
* The foreign worker arrives at a Port of Entry (POE) in Canada and must show the letter to an Immigration Officer;
* The Immigration Officer at the POE determines admissibility of the Foreign Worker based on the letter and information in CIC computerized system (the immigration officer determines whether the foreign worker may enter Canada and how long he may stay);
* If approved, the Immigration Officer finalizes the work permit and the foreign worker is admitted to Canada.
Notes:
* The process to obtain a work permit can take approximately 3 months.
* The foreign worker pays for processing fees
* The duration of the work permit is determined by HRSDC and CIC, not NRC.
* Once the foreign worker receives the work permit and has started working with NRC, it is possible to send an application for permanent residency to CIC. After one year in Canada, the application has to be sent to CIC in Buffalo (USA); before one year, the application has to be sent to the Canadian visa office of his/her country (might be longer). It can take approximately 24 months to obtain a permanent residency status.
* Please note that NRC will also conduct a security check, one of the following document will be required during the process: a police certificate from the federal police in their country stating that the individual does not have a criminal record OR a certificate of good conduct from their Embassy OR an introduction letter from their previous employer containing the following information: where they worked and if they had a clearance done in their country.
WEBSITES FOR NEWCOMERS IN CANADA
KEY GOVERNMENT WEB SITES
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
http://www.cic.gc.ca/
* Information on: sponsorship, citizenship applications, immigration in general.
* Advice for Newcomers (information about living in Canada, health services, housing, taxes, etc.)
* Programs for Newcomers (ex. Host Program, Language Instruction, etc.)
* Organizations helping newcomers
* List of key phone numbers and Internet addresses that may be helpful to you as a newcomer to Canada
Government of Canada
http://www.canada.gc.ca/
* General Information about Canada
* Information source for Non-Canadians (http://canadainternational.gc.ca/)
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/ AND
Social Development Canada http://www.sdc.gc.ca
* Information on obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN) - A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit identification number given to you for the purposes of income tax, Employment Insurance, old age pension or other government programs. You need a Social Insurance Number to work in Canada.
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca
* Information on: Personal income tax;
* Canada Child Tax Benefit - a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under age 18;
* GST/HST credit - a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that they pay.
* Note: The tax year in Canada is January to December. You are required to fill your tax return by the end of April. For your 1st tax return, make sure to send a copy to the international tax office.
Health Canada
www.hc-sc.gc.ca
* Information on general health issues
Environment Canada
http://www.ec.gc.ca
* Information on current conditions, local forecasts, previous meteorological events, and interesting weather facts or trivia.
PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL WEB SITES
* Applying for a provincial health insurance card and a driver's license
Alberta
http://www.servicealberta.ca
British Columbia
http://www.gov.bc.ca
Manitoba
http://www.gov.mb.ca
New Brunswick
http://www.gnb.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
http://www.gov.nf.ca/
Northwest Territories
http://www.gov.nt.ca/
Nova Scotia
http://www.gov.ns.ca/
Nunavut
http://www.gov.nu.ca/
Ontario
http://www.gov.on.ca/
Prince Edward Island
http://www.gov.pe.ca/
Quebec
http://www.gouv.qc.ca/
Saskatchewan
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
Yukon
http://www.gov.yk.ca/
PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
* As there is a three months waiting period to receive provincial health coverage and health benefits through NRC, we would suggest that you consult with a private health insurance company:
TrentHealth Insurance
http://www.trenthealth.com/
Note: In the province of Ontario, the family of a foreign worker coming to work for less than three years are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and by NRC. Therefore, a private health insurance is necessary.
HOUSING IN CANADA
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/
* Advice on: Buying or renting a home, building, renovating & maintaining, mortgage insurance & investments, etc.
VisiteNet
http://www.visitenet.com/
* Search for a home online
Canada.com
http://www.canada.com
* Search for a home online
MapQuest
http://www.mapquest.com
* Very detailed maps for Canada and USA (search by address, by name, etc.)
RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT AREAS
* LONDON (ON)
* OTTAWA (ON)
* VANCOUVER (BC)
