Work Permits Prioritized in Trucking, Agricultural as well as Healthcare Occupations
Posted on 22/09/2020
Did you know that when it comes to work permits, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is prioritizing key occupations in the trucking, agricultural, and agri-food industries? These are considered to provide essential services – along with health care workers – necessary and critical for Canada’s economy and as well to manage the COVID pandemic.
In other words, if you are applying to work in Canada in one of the following NOC (National Occupational Classification) jobs, you will face speedier processing and are possibly more likely to have your work permit approved.
Prioritized Occupations – not including healthcare (see below)
NOC Code | Occupation |
6331 | Butchers, Meat Cutters, Fishmongers (wholesale & retail) |
7511 | Transport Truck Drivers |
8252 | Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, Specialized Livestock Workers |
8431 | General Farm Workers |
8432 | Nursery and Greenhouse Workers |
8611 | Harvesting Labourers |
9463 | Fish and Seafood Plant Workers |
9617 | Labourers – Food, Beverage, & Associated Products Processing |
9618 | Labourers in Fish and Seafood Processing |
9462 | Industrial Butchers & Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers, & Related Workers |
For healthcare workers, IRCC and ESDC are assuming that most arriving in Canada will be staying for short-term work assignments related to the COVID health emergency and therefore will have been granted work permit exemptions.
However, licensed healthcare professionals who are applying for a work permit should note that:
- You will have to apply for your work permit from abroad and wait for approval of your work permit before travelling to Canada.
- If you are travelling by air to Canada from anywhere that is not the USA, you will have to have:
- Your work permit OR
- If you have not received your work permit, a Letter of Introduction to present to your air carrier before being allowed to board your flight.
The following healthcare occupations are being prioritized by ESDC and IRCC:
NOC Code | Occupation |
3011 | Nursing co-ordinators & Supervisors |
3012 | Registered Nurses & Registered Psychiatric Nurses |
3111 | Specialist Physicians |
3112 | General Practitioners & Family Physicians |
3124 | Allied Primary Health Practitioners |
3125 | Other Occupations in Health Diagnosing & Treating |
3131 | Pharmacists |
3211 | Medical Laboratory Technologists |
3212 | Medical Laboratory Technicians & Pathologists Assistants |
3214 | Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists, and Cardiopulmonary Technologists |
3215 | Medical Radiation Technologists |
3217 | Cardiology Technologists & Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists |
3233 | Licensed Practical Nurses |
3234 | Paramedical Occupations |
3413 | Nurse aides, Orderlies & Patient Services Associates |
4411 | Home Child Care Providers (LMIA-required in-Canada applicants) |
4412 | Home Support Workers excluding housekeepers (LMIA-required in-Canada applicants) |
Please note that the final two occupations – Home Child Care Providers & Home Support Workers – require LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) for in-Canada applicants.
Posted in News Tips and tagged COVID-19, Work Permit