When it comes to hiring international workers, Canadian employers must consider several crucial factors, one of the most significant being the processing time for work permits. This timeframe can vary greatly and is influenced by where the applicant is applying from. Understanding these variations can help both employers and workers set realistic expectations and plan effectively.


1. Factors Influencing Processing Times

Processing times for work permits can change due to several reasons:

  • Volume of Applications: Certain times of the year see a surge in applications, which can slow processing for everyone.
  • Applicant's Home Country: The infrastructure and staffing of Canadian visa offices in different countries can affect processing times. Countries with more resources can often process permits faster.
  • Type of Work Permit: Permits requiring additional checks, like those with a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), can take longer to process.


2. Impact on Employers

Employers need to fill positions by specific dates, particularly in sectors facing labor shortages or seasonal demands. Longer processing times can influence their choice of candidates, often preferring those from countries with faster processing times to ensure timely staffing.


3. What Employers and Workers Can Do

Here are some strategies to manage the impact of varying processing times:

  • Early Application: Applying well in advance can mitigate delays.
  • Accurate and Complete Applications: Ensuring all documents are correct and complete can prevent processing hold-ups.
  • Stay Informed: Keeping updated with the latest processing times for different countries helps in planning and setting expectations.


4. Understanding and Patience

For international workers, being aware of how processing times can differ depending on their home country is vital for planning their move. Employers, too, benefit from understanding these differences as it helps in strategic planning and effective recruitment.


Understanding and navigating the complexities of work permit processing times is crucial for both employers and international workers planning to work in Canada. By staying informed and preparing

your applications carefully, you can help ensure a smoother process.


Ready to take the next step in your Canadian work journey? Visit the Government of Canada's work permit processing times page to find the most current processing times based on your country of origin. Equip yourself with the knowledge you need to plan effectively and start your experience in

Canada with confidence.


For additional support and expert guidance, consider connecting with Immigrate. Our platform connects Canadian employers and international workers with top immigration professionals to simplify the process of obtaining a Canadian work permit. Explore our services at immigrate.biz and discover how we can help you achieve your Canadian dreams.



Begin your journey today—check your processing times and explore how Immigrate can assist you in navigating the path to working in Canada!

Refuse to Process: How Immigration Rules Are Impacting Employers

By Dirk Propp • October 2, 2025
Refuse to process regions in Canada are affecting nearly all metropolitan areas in Canada, and more regional changes were announced on October 10th. The regions that are still available to keep your trained and employed foreign workers or obtain new if local people are not available are: BC - Victoria Saskatchewan - Saskatoon Ontario - Thunder Bay New: Peterborough Quebec - Drummondville, Trois-Rivieres, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Saguenay PEI - Entire province The following regions, before October 10th, qualified and no longer qualify to keep their foreign workers in low-wage positions: BC - Kelowna Alberta - Red Deer, Lethbridge Saskatchewan - Regina Manitoba - Winnipeg Ontario - Sudbury, Guelph All other metropolitan cities in Canada do not qualify to keep their foreign workers in low-wage positions. The other occupations businesses qualify to keep their workers are: Rural communities outside of the metropolitan areas. Health care workers Care home workers Construction workers Food Manufacturing Seasonal businesses requiring workers for 120 or 270 days or less Simplify Hiring, Stay Compliant Canada’s hiring landscape is shifting quickly, with refuse-to-process regions expanding, new unemployment data set to be released in October, and employers under pressure to act fast. Fill a Role was built to give you an advantage. If you’re an employer, this means fewer wasted hours and faster hires. If you’re a job seeker, it means your application rises to the top where employers can see it. Don’t wait until the next round of immigration changes catches you off guard. Start posting with Fill a Role today.

FillaRole Unveils Healthcare-Focused Hiring Platform to Address Canada’s Staffing Challenges

By Keli Propp • August 28, 2025
Canada’s Staffing Challenges Saskatchewan-built platform aims to reduce agency nurse reliance and fill critical roles with permanent hires. Saskatchewan, Canada – August 20, 2025 – FillaRole has officially launched FillaRole Health, a Saskatchewan-built, AI hiring and onboarding platform, designed for Canada’s healthcare sector. It gives busy HR teams one centralized tool to post jobs, track applicants, manage interviews and onboard hires, without the spreadsheet chaos. The platform arrives at a crucial moment: Saskatchewan alone spent over $70 million on contract nurses in 2024, nearly triple the cost just two years ago. In Nova Scotia, the 2024 bill hit $141.7 million despite policy changes, while BC and Quebec are each spending over $1.5 billion annually on agency staffing. The physician shortage is just as troubling. Manitoba recently contracted a consultant $5.25 million to recruit 150 physicians and only two were hired. Across Canada, billions are being diverted to temporary and stop-gap staffing initiatives. “We’re watching the healthcare system drown in contract costs,” said Keli Propp, CEO of FillaRole. “FillaRole Health offers a long-term solution: permanent hires, both local and international, without the 40% premium in wage costs that health authorities are paying right now. You can curb it now or let the bill keep climbing.” To strengthen their presence in the Canadian healthcare space, FillaRole has joined the Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network, which is dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Canadian technology in healthcare. Through this collaboration, FillaRole gains access to new tools, strategic insights, and opportunities that drive meaningful change with this solution for patients, providers, and communities across Canada. All-in-One Platform Purpose-Built for Healthcare FillaRole Health combines essential hiring systems into one streamlined pl atform: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) : AI-powered job descriptions, resume scraping and one-click interview invites. Immigration & Compliance Software : Built-in LMIA-exempt tracking, international recruitment support and permit workflows. T alent Pool Building : Advertise positions worldwide, funnelling applicants into one centralized pool. Track their engagement to spot the most promising candidates. Additional features include automated posting to 19+ job boards, intelligent applicant ranking, customizable document templates, real human support and performance reports within 48 hours. All of which are securely hosted on Canadian servers. Designed for the Frontlines of Care FillaRole Health is especially suited for: Long-term care homes Private clinics and pharmacies Mental health and allied health practices Regional health authorities Medical recruiters supporting multiple locations The platform prioritizes local hires first, automatically filtering candidates by licensing and credentials, while tracking documentation and renewal dates. All but eliminating those dreaded back-and-forth email chains. The Time to Fix Healthcare Hiring Is Now FillaRole’s core platform already supports 100,000+ users and nearly 40,000 applicants across Canada and was selected earlier this year for VentureLAB’s Accelerated Growth Program. With the launch of FillaRole Health by a Canadian team with decades of experience in HR technology and immigration workflows, the company brings its proven hiring engine directly to Canada’s most urgent frontline staffing crisis. “You shouldn’t need six tools and an immigration lawyer to fill one role,” added Propp. “FillaRole Health makes hiring healthcare workers fast and finally affordable again.” To learn more about FillaRole Health or the CAN Health Membership Program, visit: www.fillarole.ca/healthcare About FillaRole FillaRole is an AI-powered hiring platform developed to simplify employment for Canadian businesses. By automating job postings and applicant sorting, FillaRole enables employers to save time, improve efficiency, and focus on hiring the right talent. Proudly Canadian, FillaRole supports local and international hiring with expert guidance every step of the way. Media Contact: Keli Propp CEO, FillaRole Email: kpropp@fillarole.ca Phone: 306-805-0113