Work in Canada

Most foreign nationals must obtain a permit to work legally in Canada, although certain exemptions exist.

To apply for a work permit, most applicants must provide a Canadian job offer accompanied by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). However, there are some exceptions that allow foreign workers to apply for a work permit without an LMIA or job offer. This includes recent graduates from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) or spouses of individuals already holding a work or study permit in Canada.

Eligible candidates for a work permit must also meet the following conditions:

• Prove their intention to leave Canada upon the expiration of their work permit;
• Demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family in Canada, as well as to cover the cost of their return to their home country;
• Not be inadmissible to Canada for criminal or medical reasons;
• Intend to work for an eligible employer;
• Provide any required documents proving their eligibility to enter Canada.

There are several ways to obtain a Canadian work permit. Some permits require a job offer from a Canadian employer, while others require the employer to provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Additionally, some permits are granted to individuals with ties to Canada, such as previous studies or spousal sponsorship.

Immigration Advice: Canadian permanent residents do not need a work permit to work in Canada. Permanent resident status grants the legal right to live and work anywhere in the country. Learn about permanent immigration options for professionals and skilled workers.

The process for obtaining a Canadian work permit varies significantly depending on the type of permit requested. For example, an international student studying in Canada often automatically receives permission to work part-time as part of their study permit.

For most closed work permits, it is required that the foreign applicant has an official job offer from a Canadian employer, supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even those who are exempt from the LMIA or the requirement to obtain a work permit must ensure they prepare the specific documentation needed to secure their entry into Canada. There are two main categories of Canadian work permits: closed work permits (restricted) and open work permits.

Closed work permits are tied to a specific employer, meaning that a foreign national holding such a permit must continue to work for the same employer at the same location unless they change their work permit.

Having a job offer in Canada does not automatically mean you can apply for a work permit. For an offer to be valid for certain work permit applications, it must meet specific criteria. In most cases, for an applicant to be eligible for a work permit, their job offer must either:

• Be supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA); or
• Be exempt from the requirement for an LMIA.

It is important to note that the province of Quebec has its own process for assessing the validity of a job offer.

The processing fee for a closed work permit is CAD 155 per person, while for an open work permit, it is CAD 255 per person. Additional fees apply if you are requesting the restoration of a work permit or if you are applying as a group of performing artists.

The application procedure varies depending on the type of work permit you need. The first step is to determine which work permit is most suitable for your situation. If you need help completing your application, simply contact us, and a member of our team will assist you in scheduling a consultation.

The documents required for a Canadian work permit vary depending on the type of permit you are applying for. In general, applicants may need to provide the following documents:

• Completed application forms
• Proof of status in Canada (if applicable)
• Proof of status of a family member (if applicable)
• Labour Market Impact Assessment (if applicable)
• Written job offer (if applicable)
• Resume/CV
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) (if applicable)
• Proof that you meet the job requirements
• Valid copy of your passport
• Copy of educational certificates
• Medical examination results (if requested)
• Proof of financial means to stay in Canada and return to your home country
• Proof of payment of applicable government fees
• Recent passport-sized photos

IRCC has currently implemented a temporary measure exempting applicants applying for a work permit from within Canada from providing biometric data. In contrast, applicants outside Canada must still submit their biometric data when they receive a biometric instruction letter.

To learn how to provide your biometric data, follow the instructions available on the government of Canada’s dedicated page.

The visa officer reviewing your application may ask you to provide police certificates. Depending on the country from which you are applying, this document may be included in the checklist and must be submitted with your initial application.

Work permit applicants may be required to provide a police certificate for any country where they have lived for six months or more after the age of 18.

Foreigners wishing to work in Canada may be required to undergo a medical examination, depending on the length of their stay, the places they have lived, and the type of job they will be taking.

If you plan to work in Canada for less than six months, you will likely not need to undergo a medical examination, except in certain cases. If your job involves close contact with people or if you are an agricultural worker who has visited certain countries, a medical exam will be required.

If you intend to work in Canada for more than six months, you will need to undergo a medical examination if any of the following conditions apply:

• You have lived or traveled in one of the countries listed on the “Find out if you need a medical exam” page from Canada for six months or more; or
• You will be working in a profession involving close contact with the individuals mentioned on that page.

Medical examinations must be performed by a physician designated by IRCC. You can find an accredited doctor near you by visiting the “Find a Panel Physician” page on the IRCC website.

Candidates have the option to undergo an initial medical examination. To do so, they must contact the designated doctor directly and complete the exam before submitting their work permit application. If you do not provide the results of the medical examination with your application, the IRCC officer will send you instructions on how to undergo the exam and will indicate the deadline to comply with.

Foreigners applying for a Canadian work permit must include a passport-sized photo with their application. This photo must meet the specifications set by IRCC.

The processing time for a work permit application depends on the type of permit requested and the applicant’s country of residence at the time of application. These times can range from a few weeks to several months.

There are two types of Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIA): the regular LMIA and the simplified LMIA. The simplified LMIA is exclusively available in the province of Quebec, while the regular LMIA is processed on a case-by-case basis, with processing times that can vary significantly from one applicant to another. Generally, it takes at least five months to receive a response to a regular LMIA application.

An employer eligible under Canada’s Global Talent Stream can benefit from expedited LMIA processing. The simplified LMIA for a job in Quebec is typically processed in about two to three months.

It is impossible to provide an exact success rate for work permit or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications, as each application is processed individually. If an applicant meets the requirements for the LMIA, their application should be approved. However, applications are reviewed by different agents, each having their own discretion to decide whether to approve a work permit application.

If you have submitted a work permit application online, you can check the status of your application directly from your online account. If you submitted a paper application, you can check the status by linking your application to an online IRCC account.

Receiving a work permit refusal can be very difficult. Several reasons can explain why a work permit is denied. If the reason for your refusal is not clear, requesting notes from the GCMS (Global Case Management System) may provide you with additional information and help address the concerns of the officer if you choose to submit a new application. Here are some common reasons for work permit refusals:

• The officer was not convinced that you would be able to effectively perform the intended work.
• The officer was not persuaded that you would return to your home country at the end of your authorized stay in Canada.
• You do not meet the required criteria for the requested work permit.

Activating your work permit will depend on where and how you submitted your application.

Activating the work permit after applying from within Canada

If your application is approved after you submitted it from within Canada, you will receive an approval letter from IRCC. For online applications, the approval letter will be available in your online account. If you applied on paper, the letter will be sent to your mailing address. Once you receive the approval letter, your physical work permit will be mailed to you, already activated, and you can use it to work in Canada.

Activating the work permit after applying from outside Canada

If your application is approved after you submitted it from outside Canada, you will receive a letter with instructions on how to obtain your physical work permit at a Canadian port of entry (POE). For online applications, the instructions will be available in your online account. For paper applications, the letter will be sent to your mailing address.

Activating the work permit after applying at the port of entry

Some applicants may apply for their work permit at the port of entry in Canada. If you apply at the border, you will need to provide documents proving your eligibility. If your application is approved, the officer can print your work permit immediately at the border, and you can start using it right away.

Working in Canada offers numerous benefits. Canadian labor law ensures a high level of safety in the workplace, and employers must comply with strict laws and regulations to guarantee the well-being of their employees. Additionally, wages in Canada are competitive, and foreign workers must receive compensation equivalent to that of their Canadian counterparts, as mandated by law.

Moreover, certain Canadian work permits allow the spouses and children of workers to accompany them to Canada. Another significant advantage for those wishing to immigrate permanently is that acquiring Canadian work experience can enhance their eligibility for various permanent residency programs in Canada.

In general, temporary foreign workers wishing to extend their work permit must submit their application online. It is advisable to make this request at least 30 days before the expiration date of your current permit. While this recommendation is practical, it is technically possible to apply for an extension up to the last day before the permit expires.

To find out if you are eligible for an extension of your work permit, please contact us.

The number of your work permit is located in the upper right corner of your permit and starts with the letter “U.”

Foreign nationals must obtain a work permit to work in Canada, with a few exceptions.

Foreign nationals wishing to work in Canada generally need a written job offer from a Canadian employer to apply for a work permit. However, in certain situations, foreign workers can apply for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer and anywhere in Canada, without requiring a specific job offer.

Foreign workers must be at least 18 years old to obtain a Canadian work permit. There is no upper age limit for work permit applicants, except if the application is made under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which has specific age restrictions.

Healthcare in Canada is managed by each province and territory, each administering its own insurance plan. Some provinces allow work permit holders to apply for provincial health insurance coverage. However, most provinces require residents to be physically present for a certain number of days before they can access this coverage.

A Canadian work permit allows foreign nationals to work in Canada, while a visa is a travel document that permits entry into the country.

A visa, or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is a physical sticker placed in your passport. It serves as a travel document to enter Canada or to transit through a Canadian airport.

If you leave Canada, you will not be able to return without a valid visa or electronic travel authorization, even if you have a valid work permit.

Canada does not require individuals applying for a work permit to take the IELTS or any other English or French language test. However, if the job offer requires specific skills in French and/or English, and the applicant is from a non-French or non-English speaking country, the officer may request proof of language proficiency, such as a language test.

Canadian work permits are generally valid for a period of 1 to 2 years, with some exceptions. A visa officer will typically not issue a work permit for a duration longer than the validity of the applicant’s passport or the duration specified in the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Additionally, a work permit will not be granted for a longer period than that requested by the foreign national or beyond the duration specified in the job offer. The length of the permit may also vary depending on the program under which the application is made.

If you are traveling outside of Canada, you will need your work permit along with a valid travel document to re-enter the country. While the work permit allows you to work in Canada, it does not permit you to travel. To return to Canada, in addition to a valid passport, you will need a temporary resident visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Canadian employers do not directly “sponsor” candidates to work in Canada, but they can assist in bringing in foreign workers by obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or by submitting an electronic job offer (for LMIA-exempt categories).

To hire a foreign worker, any Canadian employer must obtain an LMIA or submit an electronic job offer. Once the employer has received the LMIA or an “A” number for the electronic job offer, they can use this document to support the foreign worker’s application for a Canadian work permit.