Steps to Teach in B.C.
To legally work in Canada, internationally educated teachers (IETs) who are foreign nationals must hold a valid work permit or be a permanent resident of Canada.
Open Work Permits
Open work permits allow internationally educated teachers to work for any employer with some exceptions. They do not require a job offer from an employer and are:
- Not restricted to a specific employer
- Not restricted to a particular occupation
These are two common open work permit programs that are relevant to IETs:
- Working Holiday Permit
- Open Family Member Permit
Working holiday permits are available to citizens of countries that have reciprocal agreements with Canada. Eligibility requirements include (note: requirements vary by country):
- You are between the ages of 18 and 35
- You are a citizen of a participating country
- *Note: The United States is not a country with a reciprocal agreement with Canada; however, its citizens can participate through recognized organizations that accept U.S. applicants.
This type of work permit is usually valid for 12 to 24 months.
The Canadian government sets annual quotas for the number of spaces available for each country for the Working Holiday permit. You can check how many quotas and spaces are available.
Check out this video about the application process and this handout about the application process.
You may qualify for an open work permit if your spouse or partner has a qualifying work or study permit.
Eligibility requirements are:
- Your spouse/partner has a work permit valid for 16 months or longer in select high-skilled occupations.
- You are legally married or have a common-law partner (12+ months of living together).
This type of work permit is valid for the same duration as the spouse/partner’s work permit.
Employer-Specific Work Permits
Employer-specific work permits are specific to a particular employer for a specific occupation. Your employer is involved in preparing these applications.
As a result, you can only work:
- For a specified employer
- In a specified occupation
There are four types of employer-specific work permit programs relevant to IETs:
- Young Professionals
- Francophone Mobility Program
- BC Provincial Nominee Program
- Labour Market Impact Assessment
The Young Professionals work permit is available to citizens of countries that have reciprocal agreements with Canada.
Eligibility requirements include:
- You are a citizen of a participating country*
- You are between the ages of 18 and 35
- You have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
This type of work permit is usually valid for 12 to 24 months.
*Note: The United States is not a country with a reciprocal agreement with Canada; however, its citizens can participate through recognized organizations that accept U.S. applicants.
The Canadian government sets annual quotas for the number of spaces available for each country for the Working Holiday permit. You can check how many quotas and spaces are available.
Download this handout about the International Experience Canada application process.
IETs with intermediate French language skills may be eligible for a Francophone Mobility work permit under the Francophone Mobility Program. This is an LMIA-exempt program.
Eligibility requirements are:
-
- You have intermediate French language skills:
- Fluent in French (for example, citizen of a francophone country)
- French language test results at Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) level
5 or higher
- You have a job offer from a B.C. employer
- You have intermediate French language skills:
This type of work permit is usually valid for up to two years (and may be renewable).
Learn more about the Francophone Mobility work permit application process
The BCPNP program is for IETs interested in working and living in the province of B.C. who wish to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
You must apply to the BC PNP to be considered. If you receive approval for the program, you get a:
- Work permit that allows you to work for a specific employer
- Nomination from the government of the province of B.C. to apply to the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency in Canada
Internationally educated teachers would apply under the BC PNP > Skills Immigration or Express Entry British Columbia > Skilled Worker.
Eligibility requirements include:
- A desire to become a Canadian Permanent Resident
- At least two years of teaching experience
- Good language test results
- A job offer for an ongoing position with a B.C. employer (this means with no end date)
Before applying, check the full list for eligibility. Eligibility requirements include National Occupational Classification (NOC), which is Canada’s system for describing occupations.
As teachers, your NOC codes are:
- 41220 Secondary school teacher (teaching children ages 13 to 19 years old)
- 41221 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (teaching children five to 13 years old)
The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process involves a detailed application submitted by the employer to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). IETs cannot initiate this process; however, they are required to submit documentation to support this process.
If the ESDC approves the LMIA application, IETs can then apply for a work permit, which is usually valid for up to three years.
Employers must:
- Advertise the position according to Service Canada’s requirements
- Demonstrate that there are no Canadians or Permanent Residents available to fill the role
- Describe the benefits to the Canadian economy for hiring the IET
- Pay the application fee
- Receive the LMIA approval and send it to the IET.
The internationally educated teacher must then:
- Upload the LMIA approval to the work permit application to proceed.
Other Requirements
When you apply for a Canadian work permit, you will need to send your application to the correct visa office. This is usually the office responsible for either your citizenship or where you currently reside. Please note that different visa offices may require additional documents. Make sure to visit the Government of Canada’s immigration website for the most up-to-date information before you submit your application.
When applying for work permits, a medical exam and biometrics may be required.
To work with vulnerable people (like children, people with disabilities or seniors), you must take the Immigration Medical Exam before applying for a work permit. Please follow these instructions:
- See list of Panel Physicians (authorized doctors)
- Book an appointment for an Upfront Medical Exam for a work permit application
- Include the “eMedical Information Sheet” provided by the doctor in the work permit application
All applicants (except American citizens) must provide their biometrics upon request at a Visa Application Centre. A request letter will be issued after the work permit application is submitted.
Biometrics: Your digital photo and fingerprints.
Biometrics collection sites: These are located worldwide, but your current residence may not have one.
Selecting a Work Permit
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal or professional advice.
If you answered yes, you may be eligible for
- A Working Holiday permit
If you answered yes, you may be eligible for:
- A Young Professionals work permit
If you answered Yes to being a citizen of a country listed in the International Experience Program, you may be eligible to work with a Recognized Organization to
Apply for:
- A Working Holiday permit
- A Young Professionals work permit
If you answered Yes, and:
- French is your language or
- You completed your studies in French or
- You scored Level 5 or higher on the Niveaux de cNCLC)
then you may be eligible for:
- A Francophone Mobility work permit
If you answered Yes, you could speak with your employer about:
- The BC Provincial Nominee Program
If you answered Yes, you may discuss this option with your employer:
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
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