Work Permit Canada 2025: Complete Guide to Canadian Work Permits & Application Process

There are two main categories of work permits in Canada: Employer-Specific Work Permit (closed work permit) - allows you to work only for a specific employer, in a specific location, for a specific period, and Open Work Permit - allows you to work for any employer in Canada (with some exceptions).

Employer-specific work permits are the most common. Your employer must usually obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before you can apply. Open work permits are available in limited situations, such as: Post-Graduation Work Permit for international students, spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student, refugee claimants, and certain international agreements (International Experience Canada).

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers. Before hiring you, your employer must: advertise the position for at least 4 weeks in multiple places, demonstrate they couldn't find a qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident, prove hiring you won't negatively affect the Canadian labour market, and pay the $1,000 LMIA application fee.

LMIA processing can take 2-3 months or longer. Once approved, the employer receives a positive LMIA and provides you with: a copy of the positive LMIA, an offer of employment letter, and the LMIA number.

Some positions are LMIA-exempt under international agreements (CUSMA/NAFTA, CETA, etc.) or Canadian interests (significant benefit, reciprocal employment, etc.). If your position qualifies for an exemption, the application process is faster and less expensive.

To be eligible for a work permit, you must: have a job offer from a Canadian employer (for employer-specific permits), prove you will leave Canada when your permit expires, demonstrate you have enough money to support yourself and your family, have no criminal record and provide a police certificate if requested, not be a danger to Canada's security, be in good health and undergo a medical exam if required, and not plan to work for an employer who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massage.

Some occupations require provincial licenses or certificates. Ensure you meet these requirements before applying for a work permit in regulated professions like: healthcare, engineering, teaching, skilled trades, and law.

The application process varies depending on whether you're applying from outside or inside Canada. From Outside Canada: create an online account on the IRCC portal, complete the application form, upload required documents, pay the application fee ($155 CAD for work permit, plus biometrics fee if required), submit your application, provide biometrics at a visa application center, wait for processing (times vary by country), and if approved, receive a port of entry letter of introduction.

Required documents typically include: valid passport, job offer letter and LMIA (or LMIA exemption code), proof of qualifications (degrees, certificates, licenses), language test results (if required), proof of work experience, proof of funds, marriage certificate and children's birth certificates (if applicable), medical exam results (if required), and police certificates (if required).

Processing times vary significantly by country and type of permit. Check current processing times on the IRCC website and apply well in advance of your intended start date.

Many temporary workers use their Canadian work experience as a pathway to permanent residence. Options include: Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) - requires 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) - many provinces nominate foreign workers with job offers or experience in high-demand occupations, Atlantic Immigration Program - for workers in Atlantic Canada, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot - for workers in participating rural communities, and Agri-Food Immigration Pilot - for workers in the agriculture and food processing sectors.

Canadian work experience offers significant advantages for permanent residence: adds points to your Express Entry CRS score, may qualify you for provincial nomination (600 additional CRS points), demonstrates your ability to integrate into Canadian society and labour market, and builds professional networks and references.

Strategic career planning can maximize your chances of permanent residence: accept positions in NOC 0, A, or B occupations (skilled work), work in provinces with favorable PNP streams for your occupation, maintain good relationships with employers who might provide job offers for permanent residence applications, improve language proficiency, and consider provincial permanent residence pathways while working temporarily.