Work in Canada

Immigration Attorney

Work Permit and LMIA Canada

There are 2 types of work permits.

Employer-specific Work Permit

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as:

the name of the specific employer you can work for

how long you can work

the location where you can work (if applicable)

Before you submit your application for an employer-specific work permit, the employer who wants to hire you must complete certain steps and give you either a copy of a Labor Market Impact Assessment or an offer of employment number to include in your application.

Open Work Permit

An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada, except for one that:

is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions or

regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

LMIA Work

Permits Facilitated LMIA

Global Talent Stream

LMIA-Exempt But Requiring a Job Offer or Employment Contract

International Mobility Program (IMP)

LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

NAFTA Work Permits

CETA Work Permits

Intra-Company Transfers

Open Work Permits (No Job Offer or LMIA Required)

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)

Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada

International Experience Canada (IEC)

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

Spouse Accompanying International Student

Immigration Tip:

Canadian permanent residents do not require a work permit to work in Canada. Permanent resident status gives a person the legal right to live and work anywhere in the country. Find out more about permanent immigration options for professional and skilled workers

The process for obtaining a Canadian work permit varies greatly depending on which type of work permit a person is applying. For example, an studying in Canada will oftentimes be automatically issued authorization to work part-time as part of their study permit authorization.

Most closed work permit applications require that a foreign national has an official job offer from a Canadian employer which is supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment(LMIA). Even those who are or exempt from requiring a work permit should be aware of the unique documentation they need to prepare in order to ensure they are granted entry to Canada. There are two general pathways for obtaining a Canadian work permit: a closed work permit and an open work permit

Closed work permits are tied to specific employers, this means that a foreign national issued a closed work permit must remain working with the same employer at the same location unless they change their work permit.