Canada offers temporary employment opportunities in many industries. Most foreign nationals require valid authorization before they can legally work in Canada.
The appropriate work permit depends on the applicant’s circumstances, the proposed employment, the Canadian employer, and whether the job requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment or qualifies for an exemption.
Third Pole Immigration Services assists eligible applicants and employers with Canadian work permit applications under the supervision of Dr. Gursewak Singh Brar, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Licence No. R709308.
What Is a Canadian Work Permit?
A Canadian work permit is an immigration document that authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada temporarily, subject to the conditions stated on the permit.
There are two principal types of work permits.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
An employer-specific work permit authorizes a person to work according to the conditions listed on the permit. These conditions may include:
- The employer’s name
- The authorized occupation
- The work location
- The period during which the person may work
An applicant normally requires a qualifying job offer. Depending on the position and program, the employer may also need a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment or may qualify under an LMIA-exempt category.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit may authorize a person to work for most eligible employers in Canada.
Open work permits are available only in specific circumstances. Eligibility may arise from a qualifying family relationship, permanent residence process, study or work history, humanitarian situation, public policy, or another eligible category.
A job offer is generally not required for an open work permit, although restrictions may still appear on the permit.
Work Permit, Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization
A work permit is different from a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization.
- Work permit: Authorizes eligible employment in Canada.
- Temporary resident visa: May allow a visa-required foreign national to travel to a Canadian port of entry.
- Electronic travel authorization: May allow an eligible visa-exempt foreign national to travel to Canada by air.
How to Apply for a Canadian Work Permit
1. Determine the Appropriate Work Permit
The first step is to identify whether the proposed employment requires:
- An LMIA-based employer-specific work permit
- An LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permit
- An open work permit
- Another form of work authorization
Applicants cannot simply choose an open work permit. They must qualify under an eligible category.
2. Obtain the Required Employment Documents
For an employer-specific work permit, the Canadian employer must normally provide the required employment documents.
For an LMIA-based application, the documents may include:
- A positive LMIA decision letter
- The relevant LMIA employment details
- A detailed job-offer letter
- An employment contract signed by the employer and worker
For many LMIA-exempt employer-specific applications, the employer must submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and provide the applicant with the resulting offer-of-employment number.
3. Confirm Eligibility
Applicants may need to demonstrate that they:
- Meet the requirements of the applicable work-permit category
- Have the qualifications required for the proposed occupation
- Will leave Canada when their authorized stay ends
- Have sufficient funds for themselves and accompanying family members
- Are admissible to Canada
- Have provided complete and truthful information
Previous immigration violations, misrepresentation, medical inadmissibility, criminality, unauthorized employment, or insufficient documentation may affect the application.
4. Gather the Supporting Documents
Required documents vary according to the application but may include:
- A valid passport
- A job offer and employment contract
- An LMIA or offer-of-employment number, where applicable
- Evidence of education, training and work experience
- Proof of professional certification or licensing, where required
- Proof of available funds
- Marriage and birth certificates for accompanying family members
- Police certificates, where required
- Medical examination results, where required
- Evidence of current immigration status
- Documents addressing previous refusals or immigration concerns
All information and documents should be clear, complete, genuine and consistent.
5. Submit the Application
Most applicants submit their work permit applications online through an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada account.
A work permit should generally be obtained before travelling to Canada. Only certain eligible applicants may apply from inside Canada or at a port of entry.
6. Complete Biometrics and Medical Requirements
Depending on the circumstances, an applicant may need to provide biometrics or complete an immigration medical examination.
A medical examination may be especially relevant for certain occupations, extended stays, or applicants who have lived in designated countries or territories.
7. Respond to Additional Requests
During processing, immigration authorities may request:
- Biometrics
- A medical examination
- Police certificates
- Updated application forms
- Additional employment evidence
- Clarification regarding the applicant’s background
- Evidence relating to the genuineness of the employment offer
Applicants should respond completely and within the deadline stated in the request.
8. Review the Issued Work Permit
After receiving a work permit, the worker should carefully review all conditions printed on the document.
An employer-specific permit may restrict the worker to a named employer, occupation, work location and period of employment.
What Is a Labour Market Impact Assessment?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment is an assessment completed by Employment and Social Development Canada.
It evaluates the effect that hiring a foreign worker may have on the Canadian labour market. Many employers hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program require a positive LMIA, although exemptions may be available under other programs.
The employer, rather than the foreign worker, is generally responsible for applying for the LMIA.
A positive LMIA does not guarantee approval of the worker’s application. The foreign national must still qualify for a work permit and be admissible to Canada.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permits and the Employer Portal
Some employer-specific work permits are exempt from the LMIA requirement under the International Mobility Program.
Unless an exemption from the compliance process applies, the employer must normally:
- Submit the employment details through the Employer Portal
- Provide complete and accurate information about the position
- Pay the employer compliance fee
- Provide the worker with a signed employment agreement
- Give the worker the offer-of-employment number
The applicant normally includes the offer-of-employment number in the work permit application. An offer number can generally be used for only one work permit application.
Employer Compliance Responsibilities
Employers hiring foreign workers must comply with the terms of the applicable immigration program and with federal, provincial or territorial employment laws.
Employer obligations may include:
- Providing the agreed occupation and duties
- Paying the required wage
- Providing substantially the same working conditions described in the application
- Maintaining employment and recruitment records
- Cooperating with inspections
- Providing a workplace free from abuse
- Respecting applicable employment standards
Employers may be inspected and may face consequences if they fail to meet their obligations.
Maintained Status for Work Permit Extensions
An eligible worker who applies to extend or change their work permit before the existing permit expires may be allowed to remain in Canada while the application is processed. This is commonly called maintained status.
The worker may generally continue working if:
- The new work permit application was submitted before the existing permit expired
- The worker remains in Canada
- The worker continues to respect the conditions of the original work permit
For a person holding an employer-specific work permit, this normally means continuing with the same employer, occupation and authorized work location while awaiting a decision.
Changing Employers or Employment Conditions
A worker with an employer-specific work permit generally requires a new work permit before changing employers, occupations or other restricted employment conditions.
The new employer may need to provide:
- A new positive LMIA and related documents, or
- A new Employer Portal offer-of-employment number under an eligible LMIA exemption
An eligible worker in Canada who has applied for a new employer-specific work permit may be able to request temporary authorization from IRCC to begin the new employment before the application is approved.
The worker should not begin the new job until receiving the required authorization or the new work permit.
Work Permits for Accompanying Family Members
A spouse, common-law partner or dependent child may be able to accompany a temporary worker to Canada, but each family member must obtain the appropriate immigration authorization.
Depending on their circumstances, a family member may apply for:
- A visitor visa or visitor status
- A study permit
- An open or employer-specific work permit, if eligible
Eligibility for family-member open work permits depends on the principal worker’s occupation, immigration program, permit validity and other requirements in effect at the time of application.
Dependent children are not automatically authorized to work. A child who intends to work must have the required work authorization and comply with provincial or territorial minimum-age requirements.
Work Permit Extensions
Workers should monitor the expiry date printed on their permits and apply early where an extension is required.
An extension application may require:
- A new or extended LMIA
- A new Employer Portal submission
- Updated employment documents
- Proof of current status
- Evidence that the worker continues to qualify
- Updated passport and family documents
A work permit cannot normally be issued beyond the validity of the applicant’s passport.
Restoration of Worker Status
A person who fails to apply before their status expires may lose temporary resident status and work authorization.
In most cases, a person applying for restoration must:
- Stop working immediately
- Apply within the applicable restoration period
- Apply to restore temporary resident status
- Apply for a new work permit where required
- Explain how status was lost
- Demonstrate continued eligibility
Restoration is not automatic and does not normally authorize employment while the application is being processed.
Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers
A foreign worker in Canada who holds an employer-specific work permit and is experiencing abuse, or is at risk of abuse connected to the employment, may be eligible for an open work permit for vulnerable workers.
Abuse may include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Financial abuse
- Threats, intimidation or retaliation
- Unsafe or exploitative working conditions
This temporary permit is intended to help eligible workers leave an abusive employment situation and find another employer.
Workers facing immediate danger should contact emergency services or the appropriate law-enforcement authority.
Temporary Foreign Worker Rights
Temporary foreign workers are protected by Canadian workplace laws.
Workers should retain copies of:
- Their employment agreement
- Their work permit
- Pay statements
- Work schedules
- Communications with the employer
- Records of any recruitment or employment-related payments
An employer or recruiter should not take a worker’s passport, threaten deportation, or require a worker to remain in abusive employment.
Do Not Pay for a Job Offer or LMIA
- A Canadian job offer
- An LMIA approval
- Recruitment expenses that the employer is legally required to bear
- A guaranteed work permit
- A guaranteed permanent residence application
- Special influence with immigration officers
An applicant may have legitimate personal expenses, such as government application fees, biometrics, medical examinations, police certificates or professional representation. However, paying someone for a fraudulent job offer or LMIA can expose the applicant to financial loss, misrepresentation concerns and immigration consequences.
No employer, recruiter or representative can guarantee that IRCC will approve a work permit.
Common Reasons for Work Permit Refusal
A work permit application may be refused for reasons including:
- Failure to meet the requirements of the work permit category
- An invalid, expired or unsuitable LMIA
- An incomplete or incorrect Employer Portal submission
- Concerns about the genuineness of the job offer
- Insufficient evidence of qualifications or work experience
- Inconsistencies between the application and employment documents
- Insufficient financial support
- Concerns about temporary intent
- Medical, criminal or security inadmissibility
- Previous unauthorized work or immigration violations
- Failure to disclose previous refusals or other material facts
- Suspected false or altered documentation
A refusal should be reviewed carefully before another application is submitted. Reapplying with the same information may result in another refusal.
Tips for a Strong Work Permit Application
Provide Complete and Consistent Information
The information in the application forms, employment documents, résumé, education records and immigration history should be consistent.
Unexplained discrepancies may result in delays, additional document requests or refusal.
Be Honest and Transparent
Applicants should disclose their immigration history, previous refusals, employment history and other material information accurately.
False or misleading information can have serious immigration consequences.
Use the Correct Work Permit Category
The applicant should confirm whether the application requires an LMIA, an Employer Portal offer, an open-work-permit eligibility category or another form of authorization.
Submit the Correct Supporting Documents
Document requirements depend on the applicable work permit category. A general checklist may not be sufficient for every applicant.
Apply Before the Existing Permit Expires
Workers in Canada should apply early and should not wait until the final day of their authorized stay.
Understand the Employment Conditions
A worker should retain a copy of the employment agreement and understand the employer, occupation, location and other conditions stated on the work permit.
Why Seek Professional Assistance?
Canadian work permit requirements can vary significantly depending on:
- The applicant’s occupation
- The Canadian employer
- The applicant’s nationality and country of residence
- Whether an LMIA is required
- Eligibility for an LMIA exemption
- The applicant’s current status and immigration history
- Whether family members will accompany the applicant
- Whether an extension, employer change or restoration is involved
A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant can assess the circumstances, identify the appropriate application category, prepare documentation and address potential concerns before submission.
Canada Work Permit Services
Third Pole Immigration Services provides professional assistance with matters that may include:
- LMIA-based work permits
- LMIA-exempt work permits
- Employer-specific work permits
- Eligible open work permits
- Work permit extensions
- Maintained-status matters
- Employer-change applications
- Restoration-related applications
- Vulnerable-worker open work permits
- Applications for accompanying family members
- Employer compliance submissions
- Responses to immigration document requests
- Review of work permit refusals
Each application is assessed individually. Professional assistance does not guarantee approval.
Contact Third Pole Immigration Services
Are you planning to work in Canada, change employers, extend a work permit or hire a foreign worker?
Contact Third Pole Immigration Services for an assessment of your circumstances and guidance regarding the appropriate immigration process.
Canada Office
1527 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R2W 3W3
Canada
RCIC: Dr. Gursewak Singh Brar
Licence No.: R709308
Work permit rules and public policies may change. Applicants and employers should confirm the requirements in effect when an application or employer submission is made.
