Types of work permits

Types of Canadian work permits

There are many different options for obtaining a Canadian work permit. Some work permits require a job offer from a Canadian employer, some require that the employer provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while others require that a person has some sort of connection to Canada (previous education, spousal sponsorship, etc.). Please refer to the categories below to determine the work permit which best suits your qualifications: Requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)LMIA Work Permits

• Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
• Global Talent Stream

LMIA-Exempt but requiring a job offer or employment contract

• International Mobility Program (IMP)LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
  
  
  • NAFTA Work Permits
  • CETA Work Permits
  • Intra-Company Transfers

Open Work Permits (no job offer or LMIA required)

• Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
• Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
• International Experience Canada (IEC)
• Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
• Spouse Accompanying International Student

Immigration Tip: Canadian permanent residents do not require a work permit to work in Canada. Permanent resident status gives a person the legal right to live and work anywhere in the country. Find out more about permanent immigration options for professional and skilled workers.

How to obtain a Canadian work permit

The process for obtaining a Canadian work permit varies greatly depending on which type of work permit a person is applying. For example, an international student studying in Canada will oftentimes be automatically issued authorization to work part-time as part of their study permit authorization.

Most closed work permit applications require that a foreign national has an official job offer from a Canadian employer which is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even those who are LMIA-exempt or exempt from requiring a work permit should be aware of the unique documentation they need to prepare in order to ensure they are granted entry to Canada. There are two general pathways for obtaining a Canadian work permit: a closed work permit and an open work permit.

Closed work permits are tied to specific employers, this means that a foreign national issued a closed work permit must remain working with the same employer at the same location unless they change their work permit.