Work Permit

What is a Work Permit

Work Permit in Canada is an official document that allows a foreign worker to work temporarily in Canada. It is issued by the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is required for most foreign workers who do not have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency to work legally in the country.

A work permit in Canada provides the opportunity to work in the country for a specific period of time and in a specific position or with a specific employer. It is typically temporary and can be issued for several months or years, depending on specific conditions and requirements.

To obtain a work permit for employment in Canada, foreign workers typically require a job offer from a Canadian employer who must secure the necessary approval or legal authorization to hire them. This official document is known as a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which enables the Canadian employer to hire a foreign worker if there is a lack of suitable candidates among Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Once the employer obtains an LMIA, the worker can proceed to apply for a Work Permit. During the Work Permit application process, the foreign worker will need to submit various documents, including a letter from the Canadian employer containing the job offer, an employment contract, and a copy of the LMIA.


It is important to note that a work permit is not an immigration document and does not grant permanent residency or citizenship. It allows temporary work in Canada and has a limited validity period. If a foreign worker intends to permanently reside in Canada, they may need to initiate the immigration process, either independently or with the assistance of a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.

Types of Work Permits in Canada

There are two types of Work Permits available for foreign workers in Canada:

1. Employer-Specific Work Permit: This permit is granted to foreign workers who have received a job offer from a specific Canadian employer. The employer must first obtain the necessary approval or authorization to hire the foreign worker, such as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Once the employer has obtained the LMIA, the foreign worker can proceed to apply for a Work Permit. This type of permit is only valid for employment with the designated employer and in the specified position.
2. Open Work Permit: An open work permit allows foreign workers to work in Canada for almost any employer, with a few exceptions such as employers blacklisted by the Government of Canada or those operating in the erotic services industry. Open Work Permits are available to specific categories of individuals, including graduates of accredited Canadian educational institutions, their spouses, spouses of foreign students or workers, refugees, and participants in special programs like International Experience Canada (IEC) and Intra-company Transfers, etc.