Why should I participate?

“Destination Canada – Job Fair” is a unique opportunity to reach a large number of qualified and motivated persons in France and Belgium who are looking for information about immigration programs and settlement services across Canada .

How can I participate?

• Sign up on this site to obtain updates of practical information concerning the event.
• If you are not already on the list of confirmed representatives, the Embassy will put you in touch with the coordinator for your province or territory.
• If you represent a national organization, the Embassy will contact you do to discuss your participation.
• If your official participation is confirmed, we will contact you for a brief profile of your province, territory or organization to be included in the fair catalogue.

How much will it cost?

• There is no cost for participation. The space and furniture, electricity and internet connections will be provided. There is no participation fee for the candidates either
• There is no fee for the services of the employment counsellors who work for French and Belgian government agencies.
• In addition, taking into account the current economic pressures and on an exceptional basis, the Embassy will cover the cost of local travel as well as transportation of display material.  Costs not covered by the organizers are air travel to France , transportation from the airport to the hotel at the beginning and end of the stay, hotel and meals, as well as shipping of material for the fair to the Embassy. 
• An accommodation package will be offered by the Megatour travel agency including hotel and breakfast in both cities, and ground transportation will be from those hotels.

What kind of information will be given to the candidates? What kind of visa or permit will the applicant need? What advice is being given to Canadian employers?

• Information will cover temporary work permits and permanent resident visas.
• We are encouraging employers to obtain Labour Market Opinions in advance of the event so that they can bring the candidates they select to Canada more quickly: http://cic.gc.ca/english/work/employers/index.asp
• Many participants will be eligible for temporary work permits under youth mobility agreements, without a Labour Market Opinion or confirmation of the job offer by Service Canada. For information on the youth mobility programs:

France
Belgium
Other nationalities

• Temporary work permit applications are processed in our office within 5 weeks (7 weeks if a medical examination is required, for instance for work in health care or with children).
• The validity of a temporary work permit, other than under youth mobility programs, can be up to 3 years, depending on the level of qualification.
• Permanent resident visas : Provincial Nominee Program and Québec Skilled Workers:
• Processing times in our office are currently 5 to 9 months for Provincial Nominees and Québec Skilled Workers.
• An applicant who has been nominated by a province (other than Québec) may apply for a temporary work permit at the same time as he or she submits the permanent residence application, without a Labour Market Opinion or confirmed job offer, to begin work more quickly.
• For information on the PNP program for your province or territory: http://cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/index.asp
• Federal Skilled Worker:
• Applications in the Federal Skilled Worker category are processed on average within 5 to 9 months with a permanent job offer confirmed by Service Canada.
• Without such an offer, current processing times are 12 to 18 months.

How is “Destination Canada – Job Fair” being promoted?

• Through the websites of the Canadian embassies in Belgium and in France (over 1 million visits to the visa and immigration section in 2008).
• Through the employment and international mobility services, our partners in France and Belgium .
• By an e-mailing to participants in the youth mobility programs in France and Belgium and to participants in the Embassy's information sessions.
• Through upcoming press releases and press conferences.
• Through targetted outreach to candidates in the sectors of activity identified as priorities and which correspond to the job offers - which is why it is important to let us know your needs and to have job offers submitted as soon as possible and at least one month before the event!

Who will be coming?

• We will pre-select up to 600 participants per day over the 4 days of "Destination Canada".
• All 10 Canadian provinces as well as Yukon and Northwest Territories will be represented.
• Representatives of francophone community organizations and the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne are also expected.
• The Visa Office of the Embassy of Canada in Paris, event organizer and responsible for visa and permit applications from France and Belgium among other countries, will participate in the information session and round table discussion and be present at a stand in order to guide participants and employers through the different procedures.
• In 2008, more than 1500 positions were posted and 26 employers were present to interview candidates.

How do I get more information?

• The list of representatives and employers, detailed schedules and layout of each venue will be added to this site as the event approaches.
• You may contact us .