Repatriated Canadians (with International Spouses/Common-Law Partners)

Working in Canada

International spouses of Canadian citizens are not eligible to apply for an open work permit unless they have been determined eligible as members of certain in-Canada permanent residence classes. In this instance, the spouse will usually enter Canada on a visitor鈥檚 visa. Spouses seeking employment must have a job offer before applying for a work permit.

Apply for Permanent Residency

It is strongly advised that repatriated Canadians begin the process for sponsorship to obtain Permanent Resident status for their spouses as soon as possible.

Health Insurance

International spouses of repatriated Canadians are considered visitors, and are ineligible for Quebec health insurance (unless they have individual status that makes them eligible). Partners should arrange for private health coverage before entering Canada.

Provincial Plan Replacement Coverage

McGill provides Provincial Plan Replacement coverage for international spouses of repatriated Canadians for the first three months of the new academic staff member鈥檚 appointment. Subsequently, this coverage must be applied for and purchased every three months until the spouse becomes eligible for Quebec health insurance with La R茅gie de l'assurance maladie du Qu茅bec (RAMQ).

International Academics

Procedures to Obtain a Work permit

Immigration Services in the APO works with new academic and librarian staff and their department to obtain the necessary approvals from Employment and Skills Development Canada and Immigration Qu茅bec to hire a non-Canadian. A confirmation letter signed by both government departments is issued as a "Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)". A "Certificat d鈥檃cceptation du Qu茅bec (CAQ)" is issued by Immigration Qu茅bec.

New academic staff will receive two copies of their CAQ and their LMIA (also known as "employment confirmation" or "job validation") letter from Service Canada and Immigration Qu茅bec. These documents are required to apply for a work permit.

Your Responsibility

New academic and librarian staff must contact the Visa Office in their country of residence to request a work permit. Include a copy of the LMIA and a copy of the CAQ marked "IMMIGRATION CANADA" with the work permit application. The Visa Office will advise staff of any additional requirements, such as advance medical clearance or other pre-requisites for travel to Canada. A work permit will be issued upon entering Canada. It is important to read the work permit carefully to ensure the information is accurate.

CUSMA (formerly NAFTA)

Citizens of the USA

Citizens of the USA must have a work permit to work and be paid in Canada, but may not require a LMIA nor a CAQ. The International Mobility Program (IMP) allows for facilitated entry into Canada using the following procedure:

US citizens may obtain a work permit at the port of entry without prior consular approval provided you have the following documents:

1. Offer of employment number generated by IRCC Employer portal
2. valid passport, valid for at least three (3) years
3. letter of offer for your position at McGill, which includes:
   • the nature of the position offered
   • the arrangements for remuneration (amount per annum)
   • duration of appointment
4. your letter of acceptance (copy)
5. educational qualifications or appropriate credentials (original diplomas)
6. appropriate licensing qualifications, if applicable (e.g., MDs)
7. curriculum vitae (CV)
8. marriage certificate or statutory declaration of common-law union, if applicable
9. children鈥檚 birth certificate(s), if applicable

Citizens of Mexico

Mexican citizens are visa-exempt, but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), prior to travelling to Canada. Please consult the following .

All Non-Canadian Staff

Late Arrivals

If your spouse/partner and/or dependent child/children are arriving at a later time please contact the Academic Personnel Office at immigration.apo [at] mcgill.ca.

Work permit Fees

There is a fee for applying for a work permit.

Accompanying Family Members

It is essential that you request the immigration officer issuing your work permit to include the names of all accompanying family members (spouse/common-law partner, dependent children) on your work permit. If this is not done, their status in Canada will not entitle them to medicare coverage. Please ensure that you provide the officer with your marriage certificate and the birth certificates of your children, if applicable.

Spousal Work Permits

Open work permits may be granted to spouses of non-Canadian staff. Spouses need to fill out a separate application form and may submit their application at the same time as the staff member.

The international spouse of a repatriated Canadian is not entitled to an Open Work Permit. The sponsorship process must start without delay.

Study Permits for School aged Children

Non-Canadian children of school age, under 18, attending primary or secondary school, do not require individual CAQs or Study Permits in order to enter Canada as students and to attend elementary or high school in Canada. A study CAQ and study permit are required to continue studies in Quebec after high school.

The procedure to obtain a study permit as of age 18 or to attend CEGEP is as follows:

Once the CAQ for Studies has been issued you must contact a Canadian Visa Office and apply for a study permit. The steps are outlined at
The processing time for an application varies at different Visa Offices.

1. Complete the Application for Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for Studies. You may complete an online application or download the application at .

   Additional documents may be required. Excluding postal delays, a minimum of four weeks is required to process an application for a CAQ, provided your file is complete.

   Important: Identify yourself as a McGill academic or librarian staff at the time of applying for your child鈥檚 CAQ for Studies. This will facilitate processing both your child鈥檚 study CAQ and your work CAQ.

   Exemptions: Citizens of the USA, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon may apply directly at a Canadian Port of Entry for a study permit once the CAQ has been issued.

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2. Once the CAQ for Studies has been issued you must contact a Canadian Visa Office and apply for a study permit. The steps are outlined at .

3. The Visa Office will issue a letter authorizing the student to obtain a study permit at a Canadian Port of Entry.

4. You must activate the study permit at the Canadian Port of Entry.