Work Permits in Canada: Types and How to Apply

A canada work permit is the document most foreign nationals need before they can legally work in Canada. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there are only two types: an open work permit and an employer-specific work permit. You cannot simply choose which one you want, each type has its own eligibility rules, and you must qualify for it. This guide explains the difference, where the LMIA fits in, the most common open permits for newcomers, who needs a permit at all, and how to apply from inside or outside Canada. For getting hired once you arrive, see our guide on finding a job, and if work is your stepping stone to staying permanently, read how to move toward moving to PR.

Who needs a work permit?

IRCC states that most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. A work permit does not let you live in Canada permanently, it is a temporary document tied to specific conditions. Some activities may not require a permit, and the right type for you depends on your situation rather than your preference. Because the rules are situation-specific, always confirm your own eligibility against the official IRCC pages before you pay any fee or sign a contract.

Employer-specific work permits and the LMIA

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada for one named employer, in one job, under the conditions printed on the permit, until it expires. Before you apply, your employer must first determine whether they need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the position, or whether the job is LMIA-exempt, and then provide you with the right supporting documents such as a copy of the LMIA or an offer of employment number.

An LMIA is a document an employer may need before hiring a temporary foreign worker. It assesses whether hiring you would have a positive or negative effect on Canada's labour market. A positive LMIA confirms there is a genuine need for a foreign worker and that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to do the job. The LMIA process is run by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and the employer, not you, is responsible for obtaining it. Employers must pay a processing fee for each position requested under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

What this means for you

With an employer-specific permit you are tied to that employer and role. If you want to change jobs, you generally need a new work permit. This is the key trade-off versus an open permit, and it is why verifying whether a job offer is LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt matters before you commit.

Open work permits

An open work permit is not job-specific, so it lets you work for almost any employer in Canada. With an open permit, your employer does not need an LMIA and does not need to submit an offer of employment, and you do not need a job offer to apply. The catch is that you can only apply if you fall into an eligible category, IRCC decides who qualifies. Common categories that matter to newcomers include the following.

• Spousal open work permits. The spouse or common-law partner of certain foreign workers or international students may be eligible. For family members of workers, the principal applicant generally must be working in a qualifying high-skilled occupation, and the family member must meet the general work-permit requirements.
• Post-graduation work permit (PGWP). International students who graduated from a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution may qualify. Graduating from a designated learning institution does not automatically make you eligible, so check the DLI list and the PGWP rules carefully.
• International Experience Canada (IEC). This includes the Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship) categories, available to youth from countries that have an agreement with Canada. The Working Holiday category is an open permit; candidates submit a profile to a pool and may receive an invitation to apply.
• Other categories such as dependent family members of some permanent-residence applicants, and workers whose employer-specific situation involves abuse or a risk of abuse.

How to apply: inside or outside Canada

You can use the same application to apply for either an open or an employer-specific work permit. Where you apply from depends on your circumstances.

Applying from outside Canada

You may apply from outside Canada if you meet the general requirements plus any extra requirements for your specific permit type. The usual steps are to sign in to or create an IRCC secure account, complete and submit your application online, pay your fees, and give your biometrics. After you apply you receive a biometric instruction letter, then book an appointment and visit an official collection point.

Applying from inside Canada

Most people cannot apply from inside Canada. IRCC allows it only in specific situations, for example if you already hold a valid work or study permit, if your spouse, common-law partner, or parents hold a valid work or study permit, or if you are eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid. If you do not fit one of these situations, you generally apply from outside Canada.

Fees and processing

Work permit applications normally involve a processing fee, and many applicants must also pay a separate biometrics fee. Pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application to avoid delays, and once you receive the letter asking for biometrics you have 30 days to give them, processing begins after that. Fee amounts change, so confirm the current charges on the official IRCC fee list before paying. Processing times vary by permit type and country; for example, IEC has its own service standard separate from other work permits. Always check current IRCC processing times for your specific situation.