Work Permit Canada

Open versus employer-specific work permits

Read IRCC's employer-specific permit guidance and our open work permit guide before choosing an application route. Medical or location restrictions can still apply to an open permit.

Common routes worth assessing

Explore intra-company transfers, CUSMA work permits (formerly NAFTA), post-graduation work permits and International Experience Canada. These categories are not interchangeable; citizenship, education, work history and other conditions can determine eligibility.

Does the employer need an LMIA?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment is an employer-side assessment by Employment and Social Development Canada. Where required, the employer obtains the assessment and supplies the supporting information for the worker's separate permit application. The worker must still meet immigration requirements.

Our LMIA guide for employers covers recruitment, wages, fees and documentation. A positive assessment is not a guarantee of a work permit.

LMIA-exempt does not mean permit-exempt

An exemption must fit a recognized category and the actual facts. For many employer-specific LMIA-exempt applications, the employer must submit an offer through the Employer Portal and pay the compliance fee unless exempt. Check IRCC's LMIA assessment tool before proceeding.

Some activities are separately permitted without a work permit. Review the official permit-exempt activities; a short assignment or an unpaid activity is not automatically exempt. Business visitors should distinguish international business activities from entering the Canadian labour market.

Assess the worker and employer requirements

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must meet the requirements of their particular permit category and the general immigration requirements. These can include sufficient financial support, admissibility, complete supporting documents and, for an outside-Canada application, satisfying the officer that they will leave at the end of their authorized stay.

Qualifications must support the proposed work. A job title alone does not establish that the applicant can perform the duties. Where professional licensing is relevant, address it clearly rather than relying only on an employer's offer letter.

Where can you apply?

• Outside Canada: follow the outside-Canada requirements and any local document instructions.
• Inside Canada: you must qualify to apply from within Canada as well as for the permit itself. Being present as a visitor is not enough. Check in-Canada eligibility.
• At a port of entry: only eligible applicants can use this route. Do not travel to a border assuming an application or extension can be processed there.

Work permit document checklist

Your personalized IRCC checklist and category instructions control the exact documents. Organize these records before submission:

• Passport, identity records and current immigration documents.
• The job offer, employment terms and LMIA documents or exemption-related employer information, where required.
• Education, employment references, licensing and other evidence of qualifications.
• Financial support and any required explanation of the proposed temporary stay.
• Category-specific evidence, such as graduation records or qualifying family relationships.
• Required photographs, translations, fee receipts and medical or police documents.

See IRCC's forms and documents guidance. Biometrics and medical requirements depend on the applicant's situation. A document checklist copied from someone else's application may omit an important requirement.

Application steps

1. Identify the legal category. Separate the need for a permit from the need for an LMIA.
2. Complete employer prerequisites. Obtain the required assessment or offer information before the worker applies.
3. Prepare consistent evidence. Check duties, wages, location and dates across all records.
4. Apply through the appropriate process. Pay applicable fees and provide all required documents.
5. Complete requested follow-up. Respond to biometric, medical or additional-document instructions.
6. Check the approval and permit conditions. Confirm when you are authorized to begin work and what restrictions apply.

For an overseas approval, follow the arrival instructions; an introduction letter is not the physical work permit. For an in-Canada approval, follow the instructions in the decision notice. Check errors promptly rather than working under conditions you assume were intended.

Government fees and processing times

The standard work permit processing fee is CAD $155. An open permit normally also attracts a $100 open-permit-holder fee, for $255 total before any applicable biometrics. Exemptions and additional fees can apply. Employer LMIA or compliance fees are separate. Confirm the official fee list before payment.

Processing time depends on the application location, category, completeness and additional review. Employer processing and the worker's application may be separate stages. Use IRCC's current time estimates and allow for prerequisite documents. Do not promise a start date based solely on an average.

Extensions, maintained status and changing employers

Plan before your current permit expires. Eligible applicants who apply to extend in time and remain in Canada may continue working under the same conditions while IRCC decides the application. This does not automatically authorize a new employer, job or unrestricted work. Review IRCC's rules after applying to extend, including exceptions.

If an employer-specific permit holder wants to change employer, a new application is generally required. Eligible workers can request interim authorization under the current process, but must wait for the authorization before beginning the new work. See changing jobs or employers.

What if the application is refused or status has expired?

Read the exact decision and expiry dates. Do not assume a new application restores permission to work. Assess the refusal reasons, status options and any review deadlines promptly. Reapplying with the same unsupported facts may not resolve the problem.

Seek assistance with a procedural fairness concern, inaccurate information, an eligibility dispute or a possible misrepresentation finding before taking the next step.

Can work experience lead to permanent residence?

Qualifying Canadian experience may support an application through the Canadian Experience Class or another pathway. A work permit does not guarantee PR, an invitation or points for a particular job. Review your Express Entry or provincial options separately and keep evidence of duties, hours and lawful employment.

Canadian work permit FAQs

Get a coordinated plan for the worker and employer

Bring the proposed job details, current status, expiry dates and any previous decisions. We can identify the prerequisites and evidence needed for the next step.

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Akrami & Associates · Meet our team. General information, not individual legal advice.