Work Permit in Canada

If you are looking for work permit in Canada guidance, Third Pole Immigration Services provides regulated immigration consulting, eligibility assessment, document review, application preparation and authorized representation for foreign workers and Canadian employers.

People also search for terms such as Canada work permit, work visa Canada, work permit consultant, open work permit, closed work permit, LMIA work permit and spousal open work permit. Regardless of the search term, IRCC decides whether a work permit is approved. Our role is to provide professional immigration advice and representation, not to issue or sell a government permit, visa, job offer or LMIA.

Work Permit Canada: Types of Work Authorization

There are two main types of Canadian work authorization. However, applicants cannot simply choose whichever type they prefer. Instead, they must qualify under the requirements of the applicable category. Third Pole Immigration Services provides consulting and application assistance; IRCC alone issues the work permit.

For current information, review the official Government of Canada information about working in Canada .

Employer-Specific and Closed Work Authorization

An employer-specific work permit is one of the main ways foreign nationals may receive temporary authorization to work in Canada. In most cases, the applicant needs a valid job offer from an eligible employer.

Before the worker applies, the employer may need to complete certain steps. For example, the employer may need to obtain a positive LMIA. Alternatively, the employment may qualify under an LMIA-exempt category.

For an LMIA-required position, the employer generally provides the worker with the applicable positive LMIA documents and job-offer information.

For an LMIA-exempt employer-specific application, the employer may need to submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and provide the worker with the applicable offer of employment number.

LMIA Consulting and Employer Support

For example, many employer-specific applications are supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Generally, a positive LMIA confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the position and that Canadians or permanent residents are not available to fill the job.

However, an LMIA does not itself authorize the foreign national to work. The worker generally still needs to submit and receive approval for the applicable work permit.

Canadian employers can review our LMIA consulting and employer support . We provide professional guidance and document assistance; we do not sell job offers, guarantee an LMIA, or issue any government authorization.

LMIA-Exempt Employment and the International Mobility Program

However, some employer-specific applications are exempt from the LMIA requirement. In those situations, the employer may instead have responsibilities under the International Mobility Program.

For example, the employer may need to provide an employment agreement, submit an offer through the Employer Portal and provide the worker with an offer of employment number.

However, exemptions depend on the specific immigration category. Therefore, both the employer and worker should confirm the applicable exemption before preparing the application.

Open Authorization: Eligibility and Requirements

By contrast, an open work permit is not tied to one specific employer. Consequently, an eligible holder can generally work for most compliant employers in Canada.

In addition, a job offer is not generally required. Furthermore, an employer normally does not need an LMIA or an offer of employment number for this type of application.

However, not everyone qualifies. Eligibility depends on the applicant's circumstances and the specific immigration category.

Review the official IRCC information about open work permits .

Who May Qualify for Open Authorization?

Depending on current IRCC requirements, open work authorization may be available in certain situations.

Examples can include eligible:

• Post-graduation work permit applicants
• Spouses or common-law partners in qualifying situations
• Permanent residence applicants under eligible categories
• Dependent family members in certain circumstances
• Refugees, refugee claimants or protected persons in qualifying situations
• Temporary resident permit holders in applicable circumstances
• Workers experiencing or at risk of workplace abuse
• Participants in certain special programs

Because eligibility rules can change, applicants should confirm their current eligibility directly with IRCC before applying.

Spousal Open Authorization (SOWP) Eligibility

For example, some spouses and common-law partners of eligible workers, students or other qualifying applicants may be able to receive an open work permit.

However, eligibility is not automatic. It depends on factors such as the principal applicant's immigration category, occupation, status and other current IRCC requirements.

Therefore, applicants should review the applicable requirements before submitting an application.

Post-Graduation Work Authorization (PGWP)

In addition, eligible graduates from qualifying designated learning institutions may be able to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit under the current PGWP requirements.

However, graduating from a Canadian school does not automatically guarantee PGWP eligibility. The institution, program, duration and other applicable requirements must be reviewed.

Protection for Vulnerable Foreign Workers

In certain cases, a worker who holds an employer-specific permit and is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing, abuse in relation to their employment may be eligible for an open permit for vulnerable workers.

This measure is intended to help eligible workers leave an abusive employment situation while maintaining authorization to work in Canada.

Applying From Outside Canada

Generally, foreign nationals may apply for Canadian work authorization from outside Canada if they meet the requirements of the applicable category.

Depending on the application, documents may include employment documents, identity documents, proof of qualifications, an LMIA or offer of employment number, and other supporting evidence.

In addition, applicants must meet the general admissibility and eligibility requirements applicable to their circumstances.

Review the official IRCC eligibility information for applicants outside Canada .

Applying From Inside Canada

However, not every temporary resident in Canada is eligible to submit an application for work authorization from inside Canada.

Therefore, applicants should first confirm that they fall within one of the categories permitted to apply from inside Canada. Additional requirements may also apply depending on the category.

Review the official IRCC eligibility information for applicants inside Canada .

Applications at a Port of Entry

In limited situations, some eligible foreign nationals may apply when entering Canada. However, port-of-entry eligibility is limited and depends on nationality, immigration documents and the type of authorization requested.

Applicants should review current IRCC instructions before relying on a port-of-entry application.

Review the official IRCC port-of-entry information .

Extensions and Maintained Status

If a worker wants to continue working in Canada beyond the expiry of their current permit may need to apply for an extension before the existing authorization expires.

In addition, employer-specific workers may need to apply if they want to change employers, occupations or other conditions.

Open permit holders may be able to extend their authorization if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements of an applicable category.

Maintained Status While an Extension Is Processing

In some circumstances, a temporary resident who submits an eligible extension application before their current status expires may remain in Canada under maintained status while IRCC processes the application.

However, whether the person may continue working and under what conditions depends on the type of application and their circumstances. Therefore, applicants should review the maintained-status rules carefully before continuing employment.

Changing Employers, Jobs or Conditions

For example, a worker may need to submit a new application to change certain conditions on their immigration document.

For example, an employer-specific worker who wants to change employers or jobs generally needs the appropriate authorization before beginning the new employment.

In addition, some workers may need to change or remove occupational restrictions after completing applicable medical requirements.

Work Permit Canada Documents and Supporting Evidence

Because each case is different, required documents depend on the type of application and the applicant's circumstances.

Depending on the application, documents may include:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Job offer or employment agreement
• Positive LMIA documents where required
• LMIA-exempt offer of employment number where required
• Proof of education or occupational qualifications
• Evidence of current immigration status
• Medical examination information where required
• Family documents where applicable
• Additional supporting evidence requested by IRCC

Therefore, applicants should use the instructions that apply to their specific immigration category.

Work Permit Canada Refusal Review and Reapplication Advice

In some cases, a work permit application may be refused if the applicant does not establish that they meet the applicable eligibility, documentation or admissibility requirements.

For example, concerns may relate to the employment offer, LMIA, exemption category, qualifications, immigration status, supporting evidence or other factors.

Therefore, the refusal reasons and complete application history should be reviewed before deciding whether to submit a new application, request reconsideration or consider another appropriate option.

How Our RCIC Supports Foreign Workers and Employers

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, our services may include:

• Work permit eligibility assessment and category review
• Employer-specific or closed work permit guidance
• Open work permit and spousal open work permit eligibility review
• LMIA-based work permit document review
• LMIA-exempt and International Mobility Program guidance
• Application form preparation and authorized representation
• Supporting-document review
• Work permit extension and maintained-status guidance
• Change-of-employer or change-of-condition advice
• Work permit refusal review and reapplication strategy

Common Work Visa and Employer-Sponsored Immigration Searches

Canada work visa is a common search term for a Canadian work permit. Depending on the situation, people may also search for employer-specific work permit, closed work permit, open work permit, spousal open work permit (SOWP), PGWP, LMIA work permit, LMIA-exempt work permit, work permit extension, maintained status, change of employer or work permit refusal help.

If you are searching for a work permit consultant near me, our Winnipeg and Surrey offices provide in-person consultations, while clients in other locations may contact us for remote immigration consulting where appropriate.

Work Permit Canada Consulting in Winnipeg, Surrey and Muktsar

In addition, clients can access Canadian work permit consulting through our Canadian offices and our India location. In addition, consultations may be available online depending on the matter.

Related Canadian Immigration Services

• LMIA consulting and employer support
• Permanent residence consulting
• Study permit consulting
• Book an immigration consultation

Frequently Asked Questions for Foreign Workers