At a glance
| Work permit fee | $155 |
| Open work permit holder fee | +$100 |
| Biometrics | $85 |
| LMIA fee (paid by employer) | $1,000 per position |
| Employer compliance fee (LMIA-exempt) | $230 |
Types of Canadian work permits
1. Employer-specific work permit (closed)
You can only work for the employer, in the job and location listed on your permit. There are two routes:
LMIA-based (Temporary Foreign Worker Program) The employer gets a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from ESDC, showing no Canadian worker was available for the job. You then apply for a work permit using the LMIA.
- High-wage stream: wage at or above the provincial median
- Low-wage stream: wage below the median, with caps and extra rules. Since September 26, 2024, ESDC doesn't process most low-wage LMIAs in census metropolitan areas with unemployment of 6% or more
- Global Talent Stream: fast processing for some tech and specialized jobs
- Agricultural streams
LMIA-exempt (International Mobility Program) Some jobs do not need an LMIA because of trade agreements or Canada's interests:
- CUSMA / CETA / CPTPP professionals and intra-company transferees
- Intra-company transferees (managers and specialized knowledge workers)
- Francophone Mobility for French-speaking workers outside Quebec
- Significant benefit (C10) for people with unique skills or business plans
- Provincial nominee work permits with a PNP support letter
The employer submits a job offer through the Employer Portal and pays the compliance fee.
2. Open work permit
You can work for most employers in Canada. Main types:
| Open work permit | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Graduates of eligible Canadian programs. See PGWP page → |
| Spousal open work permit (workers) | Spouses of workers in TEER 0 or 1, or some TEER 2–3 jobs, with 16+ months left on their permit |
| Spousal open work permit (students) | Spouses of students in eligible master's (16+ months), doctoral, professional or pilot programs |
| Spousal open work permit (sponsorship) | Spouses being sponsored for PR from inside Canada |
| Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) | Workers waiting for a PR decision under Express Entry, PNP and some other programs |
| International Experience Canada (IEC) | Young people (usually 18–35) from partner countries: Working Holiday |
| Vulnerable worker open work permit | Workers facing abuse on an employer-specific permit |
Work permit requirements
All applicants must:
- Show they will leave Canada when the permit ends
- Have enough money to support themselves and family
- Have no criminal record (police certificate may be required)
- Be in good health (medical exam for some jobs and countries)
- Not plan to work for an ineligible employer
- Give any extra documents the officer asks for
For employer-specific permits, you must also:
- Have a valid job offer and LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer number
- Meet the job requirements (education, experience, licence, language)
Work permit documents checklist
- Passport
- Job offer letter and employment contract (employer-specific)
- LMIA copy, or LMIA-exempt offer number from the Employer Portal
- Resume and reference letters proving experience
- Degrees, diplomas and professional licences
- Language test results (if required for the job or program)
- Proof of relationship for spousal permits (marriage certificate, photos, joint documents)
- Your spouse's study or work permit and proof of their job or program
- Proof of funds
- Digital photo
- Medical exam and police certificates (if required)
- Current status documents if applying inside Canada
How to apply for a work permit
From outside Canada
- Confirm which work permit you qualify for.
- Your employer gets an LMIA or submits an LMIA-exempt offer (employer-specific only).
- Apply online and pay fees.
- Give biometrics at a Visa Application Centre.
- Complete a medical exam if needed.
- If approved, get a port of entry letter. Your permit is issued when you arrive.
From inside Canada
You can usually apply from inside Canada if you hold a valid study or work permit, or if you are a spouse or child of someone who does.
Maintained status: If you apply for a new work permit before your current permit expires, you can keep working under the same conditions while you wait for a decision. Do not leave Canada if you depend on maintained status. It ends when you leave.
Flagpoling: PGWPs can't be obtained at the border since June 21, 2024, and most other work and study permits since December 23, 2024. Apply online instead.
Work permit vs permanent residence
A work permit is temporary. But Canadian work experience is one of the best ways to qualify for PR:
- One year of skilled Canadian work can qualify you for the Canadian Experience Class in Express Entry.
- A BC job offer can support a BC PNP application, worth 600 CRS points through Express Entry BC.
- Each year of Canadian work raises your CRS score.
For employers: LMIA and hiring foreign workers
We help BC employers hire foreign workers legally:
- Check if an LMIA is needed or if an exemption applies
- Advertising and recruitment rules (minimum 4 weeks, 3 methods)
- LMIA application and transition plans (high-wage)
- Employer Portal offers and compliance fees
- Compliance reviews and inspections
- BC PNP employer support
Common work permit refusal reasons
- Job offer is not genuine or does not match the LMIA
- Applicant does not meet the job's requirements
- Not enough proof of experience
- Officer not satisfied applicant will leave Canada
- Relationship not proven (spousal permits)
- Spouse's job or program does not qualify for a spousal permit
- Applied after status expired
How Trueman Immigration helps
- Find the right permit: we compare every option for your situation
- Employer support: LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer preparation
- Document review: reference letters, contracts and relationship proof
- Application filing: inside or outside Canada
- Status protection: extensions, maintained status and restoration
- PR planning: how to use your Canadian work for Express Entry or BC PNP