Work Permit for Canada

• Eligibility:
  Generally, you’ll need a valid job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from a Canadian employer. However, there are exceptions for recent graduates of Canadian institutions or spouses of work permit holders.

• Application Process: The process typically involves:

  • Determining your eligibility and choosing the right permit type.
  • Completing the application forms and gathering necessary documents (job offer, LMIA if applicable, passport etc.).
  • Submitting the application online or by mail.
  • Paying the processing fees.
  • Attending a medical exam (might be required).
  •  allows you to work for any employer in Canada, but they are issued only in specific circumstances

Open Work Permit

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, but they are issued only in specific circumstances.

Work Permit Exemptions

Certain occupations are exempt from the work permit requirement.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The TFWP is intended to help Canadian employers recruit foreign workers in response to labour market shortages.

TFWP is made up of four streams: high-skilled workers, low-skilled workers, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, and the Live-In Caregiver Program.

Foreign workers must have an approved job offer and a work permit before arriving in Canada under the TFWP.

Through the LMIA, IRCC works with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure foreign workers do not take jobs for which Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available.

Find out more about work permit conditions, validity and duration.