Canada is a land of opportunity, and one of the best ways to experience it is to work there. With a strong economy and a diverse job market, Canada has something to offer everyone. But before you can start your new job in Canada, you’ll need a work permit.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about work permits in Canada, including the different types of work permits available, how to apply, and the requirements you’ll need to meet. We’ll also discuss the benefits of working in Canada and give you an overview of the Canadian job market.
Whether you’re a skilled worker, a student, or a recent graduate, there’s a work permit in Canada that’s right for you. So read on to learn more about how to make your Canadian dream job a reality.
Eligible to work in Canada
For work in Canada, you must be either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or have a valid work permit. Canadian citizens and permanent residents do not need a work permit to work in Canada. Foreign nationals may be eligible for a work permit under one of the following programs:
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
This program allows employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labour shortages.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
This program allows young people from participating countries to work and travel in Canada for up to 2 years.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
This program allows international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada to work in the country for up to 3 years.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
This program allows provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residence based on their skills and work experience.
Express Entry
Express Entry is a system that manages applications for permanent residence from skilled workers and international students. There are also a number of other programs and categories under which foreign nationals may be eligible to work in Canada, such as:
- Business visitors may be able to work in Canada for short periods of time for certain activities, such as attending meetings or negotiating contracts.
- Foreign representatives and their family members may be able to work in Canada without a work permit if they are accredited to the Canadian government or an international organization.
- Military personnel from certain countries may be able to work in Canada without a work permit as part of a joint military exercise or training program.
Types of Canadian work permits
There are many different ways to get a Canadian work permit. Some require a job offer from a Canadian employer, while others do not. Some require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while others do not. And some require that you have some sort of connection to Canada, such as previous education or spousal sponsorship. To determine which permit is right for you, please refer to the categories below:
There are two main types of Canadian work permits:
- Employer-specific work permits: These permits are tied to a specific employer and job. To obtain an employer-specific work permit, your employer must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which demonstrates that there is no qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident available to fill the position.
- Open work permits: Open work permits allow you to work for any employer in Canada, except for those that are specifically excluded. Open work permits are typically issued to people who are already in Canada and have a specific reason for staying, such as international students who have graduated from a Canadian institution or spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Employer-specific work permits:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): Allows employers to hire foreign workers for temporary jobs where no qualified Canadian is available.
- Facilitated LMIA (Quebec): Allows Quebec employers to hire foreign workers for certain occupations without an LMIA.
- Global Talent Stream: Fast-tracks the hiring of highly skilled foreign workers in certain industries.
Open work permits:
- Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP): Allows international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada to work for up to three years after graduation.
- Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada: Allows spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to work in Canada while their spousal sponsorship application is being processed.
- International Experience Canada (IEC) (working holiday visa): Offers young people from certain countries the opportunity to live and work in Canada for up to two years.
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Allows you to continue working in Canada while you wait for a decision on your permanent residence application.
- Spouse Accompanying International Student or Worker: Allows spouses of international students or workers in Canada to work in Canada for the duration of their spouse’s stay.
Read more: Post-graduation Work Permit
How do I apply for a Canadian work permit?
To apply for a Canadian work permit, you will need to:
- Determine the type of work permit you are eligible for. There are many different types of work permits available, so it is important to choose the one that is right for your situation. You can use the IRCC’s online tool to help you determine which type of work permit you are eligible for.
- Gather the required documents. The documents you will need will vary depending on the type of work permit you are applying for. However, some common documents include:
- A valid passport
- A completed work permit application form
- Proof of employment in Canada (if required)
- Proof of funds
- Medical exam results (in some cases)
- Pay the application fees. The application fees for a work permit vary depending on the type of work permit you are applying for. You can find the current application fees on the IRCC website.
- Submit your application. You can submit your work permit application online or by mail. If you are submitting your application online, you will need to create an account on the IRCC website.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email. You can then track the status of your application online.
If your application is approved, you will receive a work permit visa. This visa will allow you to enter Canada and work for the employer and in the position that is specified on your work permit.
What documents are required to apply for a Canadian work permit?
- Proof of identity: valid passport, birth certificate, etc.
- Proof of eligibility: job offer, Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ), etc.
- Proof of financial support: bank statements, investment statements, etc.
- Completed application forms
- Family member’s proof of status (if applicable)
- Written offer of employment (if applicable)
- CV/ résumé
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Medical exam results (if requested)
- Evidence of financial means to stay in Canada and return to home country
- Proof of payment for applicable government fees
- Recent passport-sized photos
How much does a Canadian work permit cost?
Canadian work permit processing fees:
- Closed work permit: $155 CAD per person
- Open work permit: $255 CAD per person
- Additional fees for restoring a work permit or applying as a group of performing artists
Can my family be included in my work permit application?
Yes, your family members may be able to be included in your work permit application. This will depend on the type of work permit you are applying for and the country you are from.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) work permit: Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be eligible for open work permits, which means they can work for any employer in Canada.
International Mobility Program (IMP) work permits: The requirements for including family members vary depending on the specific IMP program. For example, under the Working Holiday Visa program, family members are not eligible to accompany the work permit holder. Under the International Co-op (Internship) Program, family members may be eligible for visitor visas.
NAFTA Work Permits and CETA Work Permits: Spouses or common-law partners of NAFTA and CETA work permit holders may be eligible for open work permits. Dependent children may be eligible for visitor visas.
Intra-Company Transfers: Spouses or common-law partners of intra-company transferees may be eligible for open work permits. Dependent children may be eligible for visitor visas.
Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP): Spouses or common-law partners of PGWP holders may be eligible for visitor visas. Dependent children may also be eligible for visitor visas.
Spousal Sponsorship Work Permit: Spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are applying for spousal sponsorship may be eligible for open work permits.
International Experience Canada (IEC) (working holiday visa): Family members are not eligible to accompany IEC work permit holders.
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Spouses or common-law partners of BOWP holders may be eligible for open work permits. Dependent children may be eligible for visitor visas.
Spouse Accompanying International Students or Workers: Spouses or common-law partners of international students and workers may be eligible for open work permits.
How long will it take to process my work permit application?
The processing time for a Canadian work permit application varies depending on the type of work permit you are applying for and the country you are from. However, most work permit applications are processed within 6-12 weeks.
Some types of work permits, such as the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and the Spousal Sponsorship Work Permit, may be processed more quickly. Other types of work permits, such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) work permit, may take longer to process.
LMIA processing time
The processing time for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application varies depending on the complexity of the application and the workload of the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). However, the ESDC aims to process most LMIA applications within 10 business days.
Some LMIA applications may be processed more quickly, such as applications for highly skilled workers in high-demand occupations or applications for workers who are paid at or above the top 10% of wages earned in the province. Other LMIA applications may take longer to process, such as applications for complex occupations or applications for workers who are being paid less than the median wage in the province.
If you have submitted an LMIA application and you have not received a decision within 10 business days, you can contact the ESDC to check the status of your application.
Check your Canadian work permit application status
There are two ways to check the status of your work permit application:
- Online: You can check the status of your application online using the IRCC’s online case status tracker. To do this, you will need to create an account on the IRCC website and provide your application number.
- By phone: You can also check the status of your application by calling the IRCC’s call center. To do this, you will need to provide your application number and date of birth.
When you check the status of your application, you will see one of the following:
- In progress: This means that your application is still being processed.
- Approved: This means that your application has been approved. You will receive a work permit visa in the mail.
- Refused: This means that your application has been refused. You will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason for the refusal.
Reasons for work permit refusal and how to avoid them
There are many reasons why a work permit application may be refused. Some of the most common reasons include:
Incomplete or inaccurate application:
This is one of the most common reasons for work permit refusals. It is important to make sure that your application is complete and accurate, and that you have included all of the required documents.
Here are some tips for completing your work permit application:
- Read the instructions carefully and make sure that you understand what is required.
- Gather all of the required documents before you start filling out your application.
- Fill out the application completely and accurately.
- If you have any questions, contact the IRCC for assistance.
Invalid or expired passport:
Your passport must be valid and unexpired when you apply for a work permit. You can renew your passport at your local passport office.
Inadmissible to Canada:
There are a number of reasons why you may be inadmissible to Canada, including:
- Having a criminal record
- Having been convicted of certain immigration offenses
- Having a health condition that could pose a risk to public health or safety
If you are unsure whether you are inadmissible to Canada, you should contact the IRCC.
Insufficient financial support:
You must show that you have enough money to live in Canada while your work permit application is being processed and to return to your home country when your work permit expires. You can show this by providing proof of your savings, investments, or income.
Lack of a job offer:
You must have a job offer from a Canadian employer in order to be eligible for a work permit. Your job offer must be genuine and must meet certain requirements, such as paying you a fair wage.
Inadmissible work permit category:
You may not be eligible for the type of work permit you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a temporary foreign worker work permit, your employer must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
If your work permit application is refused, you will receive a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) explaining the reason for the refusal. You may also have the option to appeal the decision.
