Good News For Wannabe Immigrants "Filipinos In Manitoba Canada - Needing About 30,000 More Foreign Workers By 2010"

Manitoba has some 50,000 Filipino inhabitants who have remarkably blended with the social and economic fabric of the province that has a land area about the size of Texas. A Filipino-Canadian living in Manitoba, Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, had been elected to the Canadian Parliament and had served as Minister of Veteran Affairs according to this Inquirer article

Because of the large number of Filipinos in his province, Premier Doer dined with Chairman Lucio Tan of Philippine Airlines to invite him to extend PAL’s San Francisco run to Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital.

Canada needs workers. Premier Gary Doer of Manitoba, a recent visitor, explained that because of the discovery of new oil in his Canadian province, and the holding of the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia, Canada has to hire 30,000 foreign workers. And because of their proven industry, adaptability and English fluency, Filipinos are preferred.

via Inquirer
image via Canada photos

How to Get a Temporary Work Visa for Canada

For faster processing and for proper compliance with Canada’s immigration regulations of both employers and workers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued guidelines in obtaining temporary work permit applications in Canada.

The processing of temporary work permit for Filipinos who wants to work in Canada will be based on a first come, first served basis so it is beneficial if you know the following information:

Tips and Guidelines
Prepare and submit all requirements listed below:

· National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance

· Immigration medical examination certificate (issued by designated clinic or medical practitioner)

· Evidence that you intend to go back to the Philippines upon the expiration of the temporary work permit

Work permit application costs: CDN$150 (more or less Php 6,768).

Note: It is advisable to pay in Canadian dollars. If ever your visa is denied, the money is not refundable.

In filling up application forms, it is important to provide adequate, true and complete information on the applicant’s mode of recruitment (e.g. agency-hired or name-hired), selection (e.g. thru interview, written examination, etc.), and the applicant’s qualifications and expertise (education, job experiences, etc.). The Embassy also demands fluency in the English language.


The Temporary Foreign Workers in Occupations Under Pressure Program will only be valid for two years in Canada. The POEA advisory also informed that academic qualifications and good command of either English or French language are some of the major basis of a Canadian employer in choosing potential employees. Knowledge of English or French language is required to ensure that applicants will be able to perform the job satisfactorily and to effectively function in Canadian society.

If the applicant fails to meet the language or education criteria, a letter (from the employer) that affirms his/her qualifications is required. The letter must contain the reasons why the worker is essential for the employer’s business operations.

Manpower agencies are not allowed to collect any recruitment fees from the applicants. The applicant’s employer must shoulder the travel cost. The Canadian human rights legislation states that both Filipino workers should enjoy the same salary as what their Canadian counterparts are getting.

Embassy of Canada (Philippines)
9th Floor, Allied Bank Center
6754 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Metro Manila
Telephone: (63-2) 867-0001

Via OFWguide.com of POEA