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By: Dewina Luechtefeld
Published On: February 6, 2025
Immigration Legal Assistants are crucial in immigration law firms. They support lawyers and consultants by communicating with clients, conducting research, and preparing applications. Canada offers various pathways for temporary or permanent immigration. This article explores work permits, visas, and PR pathways, and shows how legal assistants help clients.
A work permit enables a foreign national to work legally in Canada. Numerous work permits are available, depending on various factors. Here’s a breakdown of key work permit types:
Employer-Specific Work Permits
For employer-specific work permits, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is typically required. This means that employers must demonstrate that they could not find a Canadian or Permanent Resident to fill a position when hiring a foreign worker. For instance, this involves posting a job on specific websites such as the Canada Job Bank for a designated period. Employers are also required to pay a fee, and the work permit will only be valid for the employer specified on the work permit. In such cases, Immigration Legal Assistants ensure compliance with Canadian work authorization regulations, assist in collecting employer documentation, and verify job offer letters.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
Not all work permits require an LMIA. Some are issued under international agreements, such as CUSMA, CETA, or International Experience Canada (IEC). For example, the Young Professionals Work Permit allows young citizens of eligible countries to work in Canada for up to one year for a specified employer. The work must relate to the applicant’s education or previous work experience. Intra-company transfers and significant benefit exemptions are other ways to avoid needing an LMIA.
Open Work Permits
Open work permits are not tied to specific employers, which allows foreign nationals to work for various companies or easily change jobs. This category includes well-known permits such as the Post-Graduation Work Permit, Spousal Open Work Permit, Bridging Open Work Permit, and the IEC Working Holiday Permit.
A temporary visa lets non-visa-exempt nationals travel to Canada once or multiple times. They show their passport and visa at a Port of Entry, where a CBSA officer decides the stay duration. Visitors usually get six months, while non-visa-exempt nationals may receive a visa for study or work approval. The Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents is another example.
Applying for permanent residence is not only nerve-wracking but also the most rewarding type of application. There are various pathways to Canadian permanent residence, including economic immigration routes such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, CEC, FSTP), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and Family Sponsorship. Immigration Legal Assistants may support a lawyer or consultant with PR renewals and citizenship applications, assist with language tests and proof of work experience, and manage relationship proof for sponsorship applications.
Whether a client plans to apply for a work permit, visa or permanent residence, Immigration Legal Assistants help ensure that applicants meet eligibility requirements, gather the correct supporting documents, and submit complete and error-free applications to prevent refusals and delays. Additionally, they track IRCC processing times, communicate deadlines, and prepare responses for additional document requests or procedural fairness letters. Staying up-to-date and following up with clients to ensure they maintain legal status in Canada is also essential. To learn more, check out our Immigration Legal Assistant Diploma web page.
Immigration Legal Assistants are essential to the success of any immigration law firm, providing invaluable support. Whether assisting with work permits, temporary visas, or permanent residency applications, their expertise ensures that legal professionals can focus on strategy while clients receive accurate and timely guidance. By meticulously managing documentation, meeting deadlines, and staying updated on immigration policies, Immigration Legal Assistants are critical in helping individuals and families achieve their goals of working, visiting, or settling in Canada.
The information contained in this post is considered true and accurate as of the publication date. However, the accuracy of this information may be impacted by changes in circumstances that occur after the time of publication. Ashton College assumes no liability for any error or omissions in the information contained in this post or any other post in our blog.
