Canada
Work in Canada
Your Guide to Working in Canada
Canada welcomes skilled workers from around the world to fill labour needs, share expertise, and build their futures here. Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada temporarily — but the right pathway depends on your job, your situation, and whether your employer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This page is your overview of how working in Canada actually works, and where it can lead.
01 Working in Canada: the Basics
To work in Canada temporarily, most foreign nationals need a work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). A work permit sets out the conditions of your employment — and depending on the type, it may name a specific employer, occupation, and location, or allow you to work more freely.
A work permit is not a visa. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada — these are usually issued together with your work permit.
Some people can work in Canada without a work permit in limited circumstances (for example, certain business visitors). Others — such as eligible spouses, graduates, or those waiting on a permanent residence decision — may qualify for an open permit. Understanding which category fits your situation is the first and most important step.
02 Two Types of Work Permits
IRCC issues two types of work permits. You generally cannot choose which one you get — it depends on your eligibility and the situation you qualify under.
Employer-Specific (Closed)
The most common type. You need a valid job offer, and the permit ties you to one employer, role, and (often) location. Your employer may need a Labour Market Impact Assessment, or may be exempt from it.
Open Work Permit
No job offer required. It lets you work for most compliant employers in Canada. Open permits are only available in specific situations — for example, certain graduates, spouses of skilled workers or students, and some applicants for permanent residence.
As of June 2026, eligibility for some open work permits (including certain spousal and post-graduation streams) has tightened. Rules change frequently — confirm the current criteria on the official IRCC page before relying on a specific stream.
03 LMIA-Based vs LMIA-Exempt Streams
Employer-specific work permits fall into two broad worlds, depending on whether a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required. An LMIA is a document an employer obtains from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) showing that hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labour market.
LMIA-Based — Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
The employer must first obtain a positive (or neutral) LMIA before you can apply. This stream typically applies where a Canadian or permanent resident was not available for the job.
LMIA-Exempt — International Mobility Program (IMP)
No LMIA needed. These permits are based on broader economic, cultural, or reciprocal benefits to Canada — often through international agreements. The two programs do not overlap.
As of June 2026, LMIA applications under the TFWP are being reviewed under stricter criteria, and some rules are changing. LMIA processing, eligibility, and wage requirements are set by ESDC/IRCC and change often — confirm the current rules on the official government page before applying.
04 The International Mobility Program
The International Mobility Program (IMP) covers LMIA-exempt work permits. Instead of a labour market test, eligibility flows from a recognized category — frequently an international agreement or a significant benefit to Canada. Common examples include:
- Free trade agreement professionals (for example, under CUSMA or CETA)
- Intra-company transferees moving from a foreign branch to a Canadian office
- International Experience Canada (IEC) participants — youth mobility for eligible countries
- Francophone Mobility for French-speaking workers destined outside Quebec
- Open work permit holders, such as eligible spouses and certain graduates
- other significant-benefit or reciprocal-employment situations
For most LMIA-exempt, employer-specific jobs, your employer must submit an offer of employment through IRCC's Employer Portal and pay the employer compliance fee — $230 as of June 2026 — then give you the resulting offer of employment number to use in your application. Employers hiring open work permit holders are exempt from this step. Fees are set by IRCC and subject to change; confirm the current figure before applying.
05 Who Can Apply
Requirements vary by program and by where you apply from, but in general an applicant must:
- have a valid job offer and, where required, a positive LMIA or an offer of employment number (for employer-specific permits)
- qualify under a recognized open work permit category, if applying for an open permit
- satisfy an officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay
- show enough money to support themselves and any accompanying family members during their stay
- obey the law, have no criminal record, and provide a police certificate if required
- be in good health and complete a medical examination if required
- meet any program-specific or country-specific requirements that apply to their case
You cannot choose which type of work permit you get — it depends on your eligibility. Quebec has additional steps for many workers (such as a Quebec Acceptance Certificate, or CAQ), so requirements differ if your job is in Quebec.
06 How to Apply
The exact steps depend on your stream and where you apply from, but the general process looks like this:
Confirm Your Work Permit Type
Use IRCC's online tool to find out whether you need a permit, whether it's employer-specific or open, and whether any special instructions apply.
Complete the Employer Steps (if applicable)
For employer-specific jobs, your employer first obtains an LMIA (TFWP) or submits an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and pays the compliance fee (IMP). You'll need the LMIA number or offer of employment number to apply.
Gather Your Documents
Prepare your passport, job offer or employment documents, proof of funds, and any program-specific items such as a medical exam, police certificate, or credentials.
Submit Your Application Online
Most applications are submitted online through an IRCC secure account, with the required fees paid at submission.
Provide Biometrics and Attend an Interview (if requested)
You may be asked to give biometrics or attend an interview as part of processing.
Receive a Decision
If approved outside Canada, you'll typically get a port of entry letter of introduction and (if needed) a visa or eTA; a border officer issues your permit on arrival. If you applied and were approved inside Canada, your permit is mailed to you.
As of June 2026, the standard work permit processing fee is $155, with an additional $100 open work permit holder fee for open permits. Most foreign nationals already in Canada can no longer apply at a port of entry and must apply online. Fees and rules are set by IRCC and change over time — confirm the current figures before you apply.
07 From Work Permit to Permanent Residence
For many people, working in Canada is a stepping stone to staying permanently. Canadian work experience can strengthen several permanent residence (PR) pathways, though eligibility depends on the programs available at the time and your individual profile. Common routes include:
Express Entry
Canadian work experience can support programs managed through Express Entry, including the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates are ranked and invited from a pool, with criteria that change over time.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Provinces nominate workers who fit local labour needs — in Ontario, through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Stream availability and criteria change frequently.
Bridging While You Wait
If you've applied for PR and your work permit is expiring, you may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) so you can keep working while a decision is pending.
A work permit does not guarantee permanent residence, and PR program rules, points thresholds, and draw categories change regularly. We'll assess your specific situation against the options available when you're ready to apply.
08 Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need a job offer to work in Canada?+
Not always. Employer-specific work permits require a valid job offer, but open work permits do not — though open permits are only available in specific situations, such as certain graduates, spouses of skilled workers or students, and some permanent residence applicants. Which type you qualify for depends on your eligibility, not your preference.
What's the difference between an LMIA-based and an LMIA-exempt permit?+
An LMIA-based permit (under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program) requires your employer to first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment showing the hire won't negatively affect the Canadian labour market. An LMIA-exempt permit (under the International Mobility Program) skips that step because the job offers a broader economic, cultural, or reciprocal benefit — often through an international agreement.
Can I change employers on my work permit?+
If you hold an employer-specific (closed) work permit, you generally must apply to change the conditions before working for a new employer. If you hold an open work permit, you can usually work for most compliant employers without a new application. Always confirm your specific conditions before starting a new job.
Can my spouse and children come with me?+
In some cases, your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may accompany you. Eligibility for a spousal open work permit or a dependent's study permit depends on your job, your status, and current policy — which has been changing. Family members apply for their own status, and we can review whether they currently qualify.
Can working in Canada lead to permanent residence?+
It can. Canadian work experience can support PR pathways such as Express Entry (including the Canadian Experience Class) and Provincial Nominee Programs like the OINP in Ontario. There's no guarantee of approval, and program criteria change regularly, so the right strategy depends on your profile and the options available when you apply.
Can I apply for a work permit at the border?+
As of June 2026, most foreign nationals already in Canada can no longer apply for a work permit at a port of entry and must apply online. Some applicants arriving from outside Canada may still be eligible to apply at a port of entry. Because these rules are changing, confirm the current process on the official IRCC page or with us before you travel.
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Ready to work in Canada?
Our licensed team — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) regulated by the CICC — can help you find the right work permit stream, prepare a strong application, and plan your path toward permanent residence.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not guarantee any outcome. Immigration rules change often — confirm details with IRCC or a licensed consultant for your specific situation.
