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Work Permits

What is a Work Permit

A work permit is a document that allows a foreign national to work in Canada temporarily. There are two types of work permits: employer-specific work permits and open work permits.

General Requirements — All Work Permit Applicants

Regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, you must:

  • Prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires
  • Show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home
  • Obey the law and have no record of criminal activity — IRCC may ask you to provide a police clearance certificate
  • Not be a danger to the security of Canada
  • Be in good health and complete a medical examination if required
  • Not plan to work for an employer listed on the list of non-compliant employers
  • Not plan to work for an employer who on a regular basis offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages
  • Provide any other documents that an officer asks for to prove you can enter the country

Who Can Work Without a Work Permit

Some foreign nationals do not need a work permit to work in Canada. Visit the IRCC website to find out if you are one of them before applying.

Types of Work Permits

EMPLOYER-SPECIFIC WORK PERMIT

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada under the conditions listed on your permit until the expiry date. The permit lists the employer, location, and occupation you are authorized to work in. A job offer is required.

To be eligible for an employer-specific work permit, you need:

  • A job offer from an employer who is not on the list of non-compliant employers
  • To meet the general requirements for all work permit applicants

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that proves there is a need to hire a foreign worker to fill the job. Most jobs require an LMIA.

Before you apply for a work permit, your employer needs to:

  • Find out if they need an LMIA for your job or if it is LMIA-exempt
  • Apply for an LMIA if needed
  • Provide you with documents including the LMIA letter and Annex A from their positive LMIA, which you will need to include in your application

Some jobs are LMIA-exempt. These are typically covered under international agreements such as CUSMA (formerly NAFTA), intra-company transfers, or certain categories under the International Mobility Program.

OPEN WORK PERMIT

An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada, except employers who are on the non-compliant list or who regularly offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.

You do not need a job offer to apply for an open work permit. Open work permits are not job-specific, so if you have one, your employer does not need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment, submit an offer of employment, or pay the employer compliance fee.

Most people applying from outside Canada cannot get an open work permit. Most open work permit applicants must apply in Canada.

Who Can Apply for an Open Work Permit

Students, Graduates and Youth:

  • Post-graduation work permit applicants
  • International Experience Canada — Working Holiday category applicants
  • Destitute students

Spouses and Dependent Children:

  • Family members of permanent residence applicants
  • Family members of work permit holders
  • Spouses and common-law partners of international students
  • Sponsored family members

Vulnerable People:

  • Refugees, asylum claimants and protected persons
  • Victims of workplace abuse
  • People in crisis

Other Open Work Permit Applicants:

  • Permanent residence applicants
  • Temporary resident permit holders
  • Indigenous Peoples

Where to Apply

Work permit applications can be submitted:

From outside Canada – apply online before you travel to Canada

From inside Canada – you can only apply from inside Canada if one of the following situations applies to you:

  • You have a valid work or study permit
  • Your spouse, common-law partner, or parents have a valid work permit
  • You or your spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study permit
  • You are eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid
  • You or your family members are waiting on a decision on a permanent residence application in certain categories
  • You have been recognized as a Convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board
  • You have been legally working in Canada without a work permit but now need a work permit for a different job
  • You have made a claim for refugee protection
  • You or your spouse, common-law partner or parent have a temporary resident permit valid for six months or more
  • You are a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under CUSMA

At a port of entry – you may be eligible to apply when you enter Canada if you are from a visa-exempt country and meet other requirements depending on the type of work permit

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

The post-graduation work permit allows students who have graduated from eligible designated learning institutions to gain valuable Canadian work experience. To be eligible for a PGWP you must:

  • Have completed a program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution that was at least eight months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs)
  • Have maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program
  • Apply for your PGWP within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program of study
  • Have had a valid study permit at some point during the 180 days after you completed your program

Most PGWP applicants now need to provide proof of language results when they apply. If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, you must also have graduated in an eligible field of study.

Extending Your Work Permit

You must apply to extend your work permit before it expires if you want to continue working in Canada. You can also apply to change the conditions of your work permit or change employers.

After You Get Your Work Permit

Once you have your work permit you will need to:

  • Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada
  • Comply with all conditions listed on your work permit
  • Apply to extend your permit before it expires if you wish to continue working

Pathways to Permanent Residence

A work permit is a temporary authorization. If you wish to stay in Canada permanently, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, or other pathways. Please visit our Permanent Residence page for more information.

 

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws change frequently. Please consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Last updated: July 1, 2026.