Who is eligible to work in Canada?
Most foreign nationals require a permit to be eligible to work in Canada, with some exemptions.
To apply for a work permit, most candidates will require a Canadian job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). There are some exceptions to this requirement, where foreign workers can apply for a work permit without an LMIA, or a job offer. Examples of this include a recent graduate from a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI), or the spouse of someone already on a Canadian work or study permit.
Candidates who qualify to apply for a work permit must also meet the following eligibility requirements:
Demonstrate their intent to leave once their work authorization expires; and
Prove they have sufficient funds to support them and their family in Canada and to return home; and
Are not criminally or medically inadmissible to Canada; and
Plan to work with an eligible employer; and
Can provide any requested documents that may prove their eligibility to enter Canada
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 following categories below to determine the work permit which best suits your qualifications:
Requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
Global Talent Stream
LMIA-Exempt but requiring a job offer or employment contract
International Mobility Program (IMP)
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) (working holiday visa)
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Spouse Accompanying International Student or Worker
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 work permit in Canada varies greatly depending on which type of permit a person is applying for. 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 (restricted) 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.