How to Apply for a Canadian Work Permit
Canadian work permits are employer-specific (tied to one employer and LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗) or open (any employer — post-graduation, spousal, IEC working holiday). The online application through the IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ portal needs the employer's offer details (LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗ number or LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗-exempt category), biometrics, and proof you will leave at the end.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 8 steps
- Before You Go 1–2 hours
Identify your permit route
Four broad routes: (1) LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗-backed employer-specific — employer proves no Canadian is available; (2) LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗-exempt — international agreements (USMCA for Americans/Mexicans, CETA transfers), intra-company transfers, or "significant benefit"; (3) Open permits — post-graduation (PGWPPost-Graduation Work Permit — The open work permit letting international graduates of eligible Canadian programs work for any employer.Click for official info ↗), spouse of a student/worker, IEC working holiday; (4) Provincial nomination with a job offer. Each has its own document set, so lock the route first.
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- Before You Go 1–2 weeks
Get documents translated (non-English/French)
Reference letters, diplomas, trade certificates, or police clearances not in English or French must arrive as certified translations alongside the originals — the translator must be certified by a Canadian provincial/territorial translators association or officially sworn in the issuing country. Job offer letters themselves are usually in English already, but supporting credentials often are not. Certified services charge $25–$60 per page. This guide is also available in Hindi, Nepali, Português (Brasil), and Español — use the language dropdown at the top of the page.
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- Go Weeks to months (employer-driven)
Secure the offer and LMIA (or exemption code)
For LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗-backed permits, your employer files with Employment and Social Development Canada ($1,000 fee they pay), advertising the role first and showing wage above the median for the NOCNational Occupational Classification — Canada's system for categorizing jobs. Your work experience must map to a TEER 0–3 NOC for Express Entry.Click for official info ↗. Positive LMIAs are job-offer-specific and named to you. LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗-exempt offers carry an exemption code the employer states in the offer letter and portal.
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- Fill / Prepare 2–4 hours
Submit the online application
Apply through the IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ portal: answer eligibility questions, upload the offer letter (with LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗ number or exemption code), passport, photos, and supporting proof. Employer-specific permits now target a 3-week online processing goal; paper and complex cases run longer. Fees: $155 + $100 (open permit holder fee) + $85 biometrics.
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- Submit & Pay 15 min + booking
Give biometrics
After applying, you get a biometrics instruction letter within 24–72 hours — book at a VAC (Visa Application Centre) within 30 days. Fingerprints/photo take 15 minutes; fee is $85 (or $170 family). Biometrics are reused for 10 years across IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ applications.
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- Wait 3 weeks to 6+ months by route
Wait for the decision and passport request
IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ may ask for extra documents or an upfront medical (healthcare, food handling, or certain-country applicants). Once approved you receive either a port-of-entry letter of introduction (apply from abroad — show it at the border where the officer issues the actual permit) or, if applying from inside Canada, the permit by mail.
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- Follow Up 1–2 hours
Land and start work correctly
At the border the officer prints your work permit — check the employer name, NOCNational Occupational Classification — Canada's system for categorizing jobs. Your work experience must map to a TEER 0–3 NOC for Express Entry.Click for official info ↗, location, and expiry date BEFORE leaving the counter; errors are fixable on the spot but painful later. Then apply for your SINSocial Insurance Number — Your 9-digit Canadian work and tax number. You need it to work, open accounts, and receive benefits.Click for official info ↗ (the permit is your status document) and register for provincial health coverage if the permit is 12+ months (province-dependent).
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- Receive —
Know your permit conditions
Employer-specific permits tie you to one employer, one location, one role — changing jobs means a NEW permit before starting. Open permits let you work for anyone in Canada. Both stop the day they expire; apply for extensions at least 30 days before expiry to get maintained status.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse work while I am on a work permit?
Often yes — spouses/common-law partners of workers in TEERTraining, Education, Experience and Responsibilities — The 0–5 skill level within the NOC system. TEER 0–3 jobs qualify for Express Entry.Click for official info ↗ 0–3 jobs (and some TEERTraining, Education, Experience and Responsibilities — The 0–5 skill level within the NOC system. TEER 0–3 jobs qualify for Express Entry.Click for official info ↗ 4–5 with 6+ months remaining) can get open work permits. The rules changed in 2025 (spousal open permits were narrowed), so verify the current policy for your NOCNational Occupational Classification — Canada's system for categorizing jobs. Your work experience must map to a TEER 0–3 NOC for Express Entry.Click for official info ↗ before your partner relies on it.
What is maintained (implied) status?
If you apply to extend before your permit expires, you keep working under the same conditions until a decision. It does not apply if the permit already expired — then you must stop work and may need restoration (extra $229 fee, 90-day window).
Do US citizens need an LMIA?
Not for USMCA (former NAFTA) professional occupations — Americans and Mexicans in listed professions with a job offer and qualifications get LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment — The document showing a Canadian employer could not find a citizen/PR for a job, needed for many employer-specific work permits.Click for official info ↗-exempt employer-specific permits, usually processed in weeks.
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