Canadian Work Authorization
Work in Canada
Planning to work in Canada, transfer within a company, or gain Canadian work experience? Most foreign nationals need a work permit before they can work in Canada. The authorization available to you depends on the type of work, your employer, and whether you qualify for an employer-specific permit, an open work permit, or a work-permit exemption.
01 What Is a Work Permit?
A work permit is a written authorization that allows a foreign national to work in Canada for a temporary period. Depending on the permit, it may specify the employer, occupation, work location, and other conditions you must follow.
Work permits are either employer-specific or open. A limited number of activities may be performed without a work permit when every requirement of the applicable exemption is met.
02 Which Work Authorization Applies?
The authorization available to you depends on your circumstances. Use IRCC’s official work permit tool to check the current route and application instructions.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
An employer-specific work permit, sometimes called a closed work permit, allows you to work for the employer named on the permit. You must also follow any conditions about your occupation or work location. To apply, you need a job offer, and your employer must generally obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or complete the required steps for an LMIA-exempt job. An LMIA is a government assessment of an employer’s need to hire a foreign worker.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit is not tied to one employer. It generally allows you to work for most employers in Canada without a job offer or LMIA. You can apply for one only if you qualify under an eligible category, and you must follow any conditions on the permit.
Work-Permit Exemption
Some people can work in Canada without a work permit if they qualify for a specific exemption. Examples include certain business visitors and people doing eligible short-term work. You must meet all the conditions of the exemption. You may still need a visitor visa or eTA to travel to Canada.
03 What Are the Requirements?
The specific test depends on the work permit category. In general, an applicant must:
- show that they will leave Canada when their authorized stay ends;
- show that they have enough money for themselves and accompanying family members during the stay and to return home;
- be admissible to Canada and provide police certificates if requested;
- complete an immigration medical examination when required;
- not intend to work for an ineligible employer or in employment prohibited by the immigration regulations; and
- provide the documents required for the specific work permit category.
Employer Steps for an Employer-Specific Permit
The employer’s required step depends on whether the position needs an LMIA.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The employer applies to Employment and Social Development Canada for an LMIA. If the LMIA is positive, the employer gives the worker the required LMIA information and employment documents for the work permit application.
International Mobility Program
The employer normally submits the offer through IRCC’s Employer Portal, pays the compliance fee where required, and gives the worker the offer of employment number. Some employers and categories are exempt from the portal or fee requirements.
Medical requirements depend on the intended occupation and, in some cases, the applicant’s residence history. An immigration medical examination may be required for certain occupations, including some jobs in health services or involving close contact with children, and for some agricultural work.
04 Where Can You Apply?
The correct application route depends on where you are and whether you fit the applicable eligibility rules.
Applying from Outside Canada
Most foreign nationals seeking an initial work permit should apply online before travelling to Canada. The visa office instructions and required documents may depend on the applicant’s country or territory.
Applying from Inside Canada
Most visitors cannot apply for a work permit from inside Canada. In-Canada applications are available only in specified situations, including for certain valid permit holders, eligible family members, refugee claimants or protected persons, and some permanent residence applicants.
Applying at a Port of Entry
Only certain visa-exempt travellers may apply when entering Canada, and they must meet the requirements for the requested permit. Applying before travel is recommended, and some programs—including the post-graduation work permit—do not permit port-of-entry applications.
05 How to Apply
The exact process depends on the work authorization and where the application is made. The usual steps are:
Identify the Correct Authorization
Confirm whether the work requires an employer-specific permit, an open permit, or no permit, and review the eligibility rules for that category.
Complete the Employer Step
For an employer-specific permit, the employer obtains a positive LMIA or completes the applicable LMIA-exempt offer process before the worker applies.
Prepare the Application
Complete the forms and collect the passport, employment documents, LMIA or offer number where applicable, proof of qualifications, and other supporting evidence required for the category.
Apply and Complete Requests
Submit the application through the correct IRCC process, pay the applicable fees, provide biometrics if required, and complete a medical examination or provide further documents when requested.
Receive the Decision
If an outside-Canada application is approved, follow the instructions in the approval letter and carry the required documents when travelling. A border services officer will still decide whether you may enter Canada and will issue the work permit when the entry requirements are met.
06 Working After Approval
You must read the permit when it is issued and comply with every condition. In particular:
- an employer-specific permit limits you to the employer and other employment conditions shown on the document;
- an open permit may still restrict work in certain occupations or for certain employers;
- you normally need new authorization before changing an employer, occupation, or location covered by an employer-specific permit; and
- you should apply to extend or change the permit before it expires.
If your work permit expires and you leave Canada while your application is still being processed, you cannot resume working when you return until the new permit is approved. Before travelling, check that you have a valid passport and, if required, a valid visitor visa or eTA for your return.
07 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in Canada as a visitor?+
Do I need a job offer to apply for a work permit?+
Does a positive LMIA guarantee a work permit?+
Can I change employers on a work permit?+
Can I keep working after my permit expires?+
Can my spouse or partner work in Canada?+
Does a work permit lead to permanent residence?+
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Planning to Work in Canada?
Our licensed team can assess the available work authorization, identify the employer and applicant requirements, and help prepare the application.
