Single Foreign nationals generally need the following documents to legally work in Canada:
1) For an employee exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA”) and who is applying to work for a specific employer, the Offer of Employment and proof of payment by the employer of the compliance fee (receipt number).
2) For an employee who is not exempt from a LMIA, a copy of the LMIA provided by ESDC, and a copy of the job offer letter from the employer.
3) Proof that the employee is certified or accredited to work in the occupation of the employment (may include a valid Canadian provincial/territorial trade certificate, educational requirements or past work experience);
4) Use of a Representative form;
5) Proof of availability of funds;
6) Proof of completion of medical exam;
7) Nomination letter from the province that nominated the employee, if applicable;
8) Application for Temporary Resident Visa;
9) Visa to travel to Canada (a valid passport or travel document and two photos of the employee needed);
10) Application for work permit;
11) Work permit Letter of Introduction from a Canadian visa office;
12) Work permit (issued at the border and generally stamped into the employee’s passport).
There are additional documents that need to be produced based on the particular field of work that one obtains a work permit in. Any documents that are not in English or French must be accompanied by the English or French translation; an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
a certified copy of the original document.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp
