Work Visa in Canada: Types, Eligibility and How to Apply
If you want to work in Canada temporarily, you will usually need a Canadian work permit. Although people commonly search for a “work visa in Canada,” a work permit and a visa are not the same document.
A work permit authorizes you to work in Canada under specified conditions. A temporary resident visa, or TRV, allows a person from a visa-required country to travel to a Canadian port of entry. Visa-exempt travellers may instead require an electronic travel authorization, known as an eTA.
Understanding this distinction is the first step toward choosing the correct application route.
This guide explains:
The main types of Canadian work permits
Who may be eligible to work in Canada
When an employer needs an LMIA
How to apply for a work permit
Which documents applicants may need
How Canadian work experience can support permanent residence
Immigration rules and program requirements change regularly. Always confirm the current requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before applying.
What Is a Canadian Work Permit?
A Canadian work permit is a document that authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada temporarily.
Most foreign nationals need a work permit, but limited exemptions exist for certain activities and occupations. Whether you need a permit—and which permit you need—depends on factors such as:
The work you will perform
The Canadian employer offering the position
Whether the job requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment
Your current immigration status
The country from which you are applying
Whether you qualify under a special program or international agreement
Canada has two main types of work permits:
Employer-specific work permits
Open work permits
Applicants cannot simply select the permit they prefer. They must qualify for the permit category under which they apply.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
An employer-specific work permit, sometimes called a closed work permit, authorizes a person to work according to the conditions printed on the permit.
Those conditions may identify:
The employer
The occupation
The work location
The length of authorized employment
A job offer is required for an employer-specific work permit. Before the worker applies, the employer will normally need to complete one of two processes:
Obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment; or
Submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal under an LMIA-exempt category
The worker must follow the conditions on the permit. Someone with an employer-specific permit cannot normally begin working for a different employer merely because they have received another job offer. They may first need to apply for a new permit or receive separate authorization.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit allows an eligible person to work for most compliant employers in Canada. It is not normally tied to one employer or position.
A job offer is not required to apply for an open work permit. The Canadian employer also does not normally need to obtain an LMIA or submit an offer through the Employer Portal.
However, open work permits are available only in specific circumstances. Depending on current rules, eligible applicants may include certain:
Graduates applying for a post-graduation work permit
Spouses or common-law partners of eligible workers or students
Permanent residence applicants and their family members
Refugees, refugee claimants or protected persons
Vulnerable workers experiencing or at risk of workplace abuse
Participants in eligible International Experience Canada categories
Each program has its own requirements. Having a spouse in Canada, graduating from a Canadian school or submitting a permanent residence application does not automatically guarantee an open work permit.
An open permit can also contain restrictions. For example, a medical examination may be required before working in health care, child care or certain other occupations.
Employer-Specific vs. Open Work Permit
FeatureEmployer-specific work permitOpen work permitJob offer requiredYesNormally noEmployer named on permitUsuallyNoLMIA may be requiredYesNoEmployer change permitted automaticallyNormally noUsually, subject to restrictionsAvailabilityMost common work-permit routeLimited to eligible situationsJob or location restrictionsMay applySome restrictions may still apply
The correct permit depends on the applicant’s circumstances and the legal basis for the employment.
What Is an LMIA?
An LMIA, or Labour Market Impact Assessment, is a decision issued by Employment and Social Development Canada.
In an LMIA application, the employer generally needs to demonstrate that hiring a temporary foreign worker is justified under the requirements of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Depending on the program stream, this may include requirements involving:
Recruitment efforts
Wages
Working conditions
The legitimacy of the business and job offer
The effect of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market
A positive LMIA confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the position and that the employer has satisfied the applicable program requirements. The employer provides the worker with the LMIA information needed for the work-permit application.
The employer—not the foreign worker—applies for the LMIA.
A positive LMIA does not itself authorize someone to work in Canada. The worker must still apply for and receive the required work permit.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
Some employer-specific work permits do not require an LMIA. These applications are generally processed under the International Mobility Program.
Potential LMIA exemptions may arise from circumstances such as:
Certain international agreements
Intra-company transfers
Employment that provides a significant benefit to Canada
Reciprocal employment arrangements
Francophone Mobility
Federal-provincial or territorial agreements
Certain charitable or religious work
Public policies or permanent-residence-related programs
Every exemption has detailed eligibility criteria. An employer and worker cannot declare a position LMIA-exempt merely because obtaining an LMIA would be difficult or time-consuming.
In many LMIA-exempt cases, the employer must submit the job offer through the Employer Portal, pay the applicable compliance fee and give the worker an offer of employment number. Exceptions apply in limited situations.
Who Is Eligible for a Work Visa in Canada?
Eligibility depends on the type of Canadian work permit being requested. Applicants must meet both the general requirements and the requirements of their particular program.
A person applying from outside Canada may need to show that they:
Have a valid passport or travel document
Qualify for the requested work-permit category
Have enough money to support themselves and accompanying family members
Can pay for their departure from Canada
Will leave Canada when their authorized stay ends
Are not criminally, medically or otherwise inadmissible
Will not work for an ineligible employer
Can provide any documents requested by the visa office
Meet the qualifications required for the proposed job
Applicants may also need a medical examination, biometrics or a police certificate, depending on their circumstances.
A job offer does not guarantee approval. An immigration officer must still be satisfied that the applicant and the proposed employment meet all applicable requirements.
Do You Need a Job Offer to Work in Canada?
Most applicants seeking an employer-specific work permit need a genuine job offer from a Canadian employer.
The job offer should clearly describe important employment terms, including:
Job title
Duties and responsibilities
Wage
Hours of work
Work location
Employment period
Other relevant working conditions
The duties should correspond to the appropriate National Occupational Classification, or NOC, for the position. Immigration authorities assess the actual duties rather than relying only on the job title.
Applicants qualifying for an open work permit do not normally need a job offer.
Documents Required for a Canadian Work-Permit Application
The exact document checklist depends on the applicant, permit category and place of application. Common documents may include:
A valid passport or travel document
The completed application forms
A compliant digital photograph
Proof of the job offer
An employment contract
A copy of the positive LMIA and its file number, if required
An offer of employment number for an LMIA-exempt position, if required
A résumé
Reference letters or proof of previous employment
Educational credentials
A professional licence or certification for a regulated occupation
Proof of current immigration status
Marriage or common-law documents when relevant
Certified translations for documents not in English or French
Medical examination results, when required
Police certificates, if requested
Proof of available funds
Applicants receive a personalized document checklist when applying online. Additional documents may be required by the visa office responsible for the country or region from which the person applies.
How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada
The application process generally involves the following steps.
1. Identify the correct work-permit category
Determine whether the proposed employment requires:
An LMIA-supported employer-specific permit
An LMIA-exempt employer-specific permit
An open work permit
A special set of program instructions
This step should happen before preparing the application.
2. Confirm the employer’s responsibilities
For an LMIA-supported position, the employer must obtain the positive LMIA before the worker applies.
For most LMIA-exempt employer-specific positions, the employer must submit the offer through the Employer Portal before the application is filed.
Open work permits normally do not require an employer to complete either process.
3. Gather the supporting documents
Collect the documents shown on the personalized checklist. Make sure the job title, duties, wages and dates are consistent across the employment offer, contract, résumé, reference letters and application forms.
4. Submit the application
Most applicants submit their work-permit application online through an IRCC account. Applicants must complete the required forms, upload their documents and pay the applicable government fees.
Where a person can apply—from outside Canada, from inside Canada or at a port of entry—depends on their citizenship, status and eligibility. Not everyone can apply from inside Canada or at the border.
5. Complete biometrics or a medical examination
IRCC will provide instructions if biometrics are required. A medical examination may also be necessary, particularly for certain occupations or applicants who have lived in designated countries or territories.
6. Wait for a decision
Processing times vary according to the application type, country of application and IRCC’s current workload. Published processing times are estimates rather than guarantees.
IRCC may request additional documents or information while reviewing the application.
7. Prepare to enter Canada
Approval of an application made outside Canada does not usually mean that the physical work permit has already been issued. Approved applicants generally receive a port-of-entry letter of introduction.
A border services officer makes the final entry decision and, if the requirements continue to be met, issues the work permit. The worker should check the document immediately to ensure the employer, occupation, location, expiry date and other conditions are correct.
Can You Bring Your Family to Canada?
A worker may be able to include family members in their plans, but family members do not automatically receive the same immigration status.
A spouse or common-law partner may qualify for an open work permit only if they meet the current requirements of an eligible category. Dependent children may need visitor status or study permits.
Eligibility rules for family open work permits have changed over time. Families should verify the rules that apply on the date of application rather than relying on older online articles.
Can a Canadian Work Permit Lead to Permanent Residence?
A work permit is temporary and does not automatically lead to permanent residence. Nevertheless, eligible Canadian work experience can strengthen or create eligibility for certain immigration programs.
Possible permanent-residence routes may include:
Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Provincial Nominee Programs
Atlantic Immigration Program
Quebec immigration programs
Other regional, occupational or employer-supported pathways
For the Canadian Experience Class, qualifying work experience must generally be paid, authorized work performed in Canada in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. An applicant normally needs at least 1,560 hours acquired during the three years before applying.
Not all work completed in Canada qualifies. For example, unauthorized work and work performed while studying full-time generally do not count toward the Canadian Experience Class minimum, subject to the applicable rules and limited exceptions.
Applicants planning to pursue permanent residence should keep:
Work permits
Employment contracts
Pay statements
Tax documents
Records of employment
Detailed employer reference letters
Evidence of job duties and hours worked
A work permit and a permanent-residence application are separate processes. Eligibility for one does not establish eligibility for the other.
Common Canadian Work-Permit Mistakes
Treating a work permit and visa as the same document
A work permit authorizes employment. A visa or eTA concerns travel to Canada. Depending on nationality, a worker may need both the permit and an appropriate travel document.
Assuming every job requires an LMIA
Some positions qualify for an LMIA exemption. The exemption must be identified and supported correctly.
Assuming an LMIA guarantees a work permit
The LMIA concerns the employer and labour-market assessment. IRCC must still approve the worker’s application.
Choosing a NOC based only on the job title
The NOC should reflect the actual duties. A title that sounds appropriate cannot compensate for duties that do not match the selected occupation.
Submitting inconsistent employment documents
Different wages, dates, duties or work locations across the application can create credibility concerns or delays.
Starting work before receiving authorization
A job offer, LMIA or submitted application does not necessarily authorize a person to work. The worker must have valid authorization before beginning employment.
Relying on outdated program information
Work-permit and family-eligibility policies can change. Applicants should verify the current rules on the Government of Canada website before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it called a work visa or a work permit in Canada?
The official authorization to work is normally called a work permit. “Work visa in Canada” is a commonly used search term, but a temporary resident visa is technically a travel document rather than permission to work.
Can I apply for a Canadian work permit without a job offer?
You can apply without a job offer only if you qualify for an open work permit or another category that does not require one. Most employer-specific applications require a job offer.
Can I get an open work permit from outside Canada?
Only people who qualify under an eligible open-work-permit category can apply. Most people applying from outside Canada do not qualify for an open permit solely because they want to find work after arrival.
Who pays for the LMIA?
The employer applies for the LMIA and is responsible for the employer-side process and applicable LMIA fee. Employers and recruiters cannot recover prohibited recruitment or LMIA-related fees from the worker.
How long does a Canadian work permit take?
Processing time depends on the permit category, place of application and current application volume. Applicants should use IRCC’s online processing-time tool for the latest estimate.
Can I change employers in Canada?
An open-work-permit holder can generally change employers, subject to restrictions on the permit. A person with an employer-specific permit normally needs new authorization before working for a different employer.
Does a work permit guarantee permanent residence?
No. A work permit provides temporary authorization. The worker must separately qualify for a permanent-residence program and, where applicable, receive an invitation or nomination.
Plan Your Canadian Work-Permit Application Carefully
The best Canadian work-permit strategy begins by identifying the legal basis for the proposed employment.
Before applying, confirm:
Whether you need a work permit
Whether the permit will be employer-specific or open
Whether an LMIA is required
What the employer must complete
Which documents apply to your situation
Whether the job is regulated in Canada
How the temporary position fits your longer-term plans
A carefully prepared application should make it easy for an officer to understand the job, the employer, the applicant’s qualifications and the requested work-permit category.
For official requirements and current application instructions, consult the Government of Canada’s Work in Canada, employer-specific work permit and open work permit pages.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration eligibility depends on the facts of each case and the rules in effect when an application is submitted.
