Work Permit

 A work permit is a written authorization to work in Canada issued by an officer to a person who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. It is required if the employment location is in Canada, whether or not the employer is in Canada. Usually, it is valid only for an employer-specific job, length of time and is based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), or an Offer of employment from an LMIA-exempt employer. 

 Types of work permits

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:

• who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
• who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.

You can only get an open work permit in specific situations. Find out if you can apply for an open work permit.

An employer-specific work permit allows you to work according to the conditions on your work permit, which include:

• the name of the employer you can work for,
• how long you can work, and
• the location where you can work (if applicable).

General eligibility requirements

No matter where you apply, you must:

• prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires,
• show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home,
• obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate),
• not be a danger to Canada’s security,
• be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed,
• not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions,
• not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages, and
• give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

Global Skills Strategy applicants: You can only benefit from two-week application processing if you apply from outside of Canada.

 Ready to get started?

Let us Help you Work in Canada

We will guide you through the entire process of your application for open work permit including:

• Determining your eligibility
• Ensuring that your forms are complete, filled and correctly reflects the details of your case
• Make certain that you have all the necessary documents for your application
• Advise you on the privileges of Work Permit
• Offer excellent services for urgent cases
• Determining the best ways to maintain your status once your application is successful (applying for permanent residence, renewing the visitor visa, extending your work permit, etc.)