Work Permits

Applying For a Work Permit

Non-resident business owners must complete an application for a work permit before entering Canada. You can access the Employer Portal here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/partners-service-providers/employer-portal.html

To learn more about the Work Permit process, click here. 

 

Pre-Entry Processing for US Camp Owners:

Sault Ste. Marie, Fort Frances and Rainy River Ports of Entry continue to offer the pre-arrival work permit processing option for US camp operators. Clients choosing the pre-arrival processing option will have appointments booked on an agreed upon date and time. Clients not choosing the pre-arrival processing will be served on a first come/first serve basis after any booked appointments are completed.

If you are interested in pre-arrival work permit processing CBSA asks that you contact the Port of Entry where you normally cross.

 

Helpful Tips:  Border Crossing Binder Contents for US Camp Owners

The following is a list of documents that may be expected to be reviewed by Immigration

Officers upon entry to Canada annually prior to obtaining your work permit:

  • Employer Compliance fee receipt with A# written on it
  • Share certificate
  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Proof of ownership (could be wire transfer for funds to sellers attorney, deed for the property, signed purchase agreement or release from seller)
  • A financial statement from your accountant (showing balance sheet, retained earnings, statement of income, cashflows) (From the previous owner if first year as new owner)
  • T4’s from previous year employees
  • All invoices showing purchases to Canadian vendors
    • CBSA would like all receipts to Canadian vendors and any proof of Canadian hires as this is a huge portion of one of the items looked at when determining significant benefit to Canada.
  • All tax bills
    • All tax bills (property, school, land, etc.) may be reviewed.
  • MNRF land use permits
  • Commercial Bait license
  • Tax Return for owner(s)
  • NOTO support letter
    • Any support letters are appreciated – especially if from Canadians or Canadian businesses
  • Printout of all expenses (from computer accounting program)
  • New owners would also need to provide CBSA with a business plan (if this is the first year they are obtaining a work permit), as they are not able to use the previous owners benefits to obtain a work permit.

Recommendation: Use colored but clear dividers in a ringed binders and label tabs for each group of paperwork to go into. Suggested tab labels:

  • Deed/Purchase Papers
  • Financial Statement
  • T4s
  • Invoices
  • Legal (other business permits/papers)
  • Tax Return
  • Support Letters
  • Transactions

These are recommendations based on the experiences of other US Camp owners who have been kind enough to share this information with NOTO. We are passing it on to you in hopes that it will be helpful.