work permit applications

A Work Permit holder has a temporary residence status in Canada and is allowed to work temporarily in Canada. A work permit is issued to an individual who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and who wishes to work temporarily in Canada. In your work permit application, you will have to satisfy the visa officer that you meet the requirements of a temporary resident visa, such as:

• You will leave Canada at the end of your employment;
• You have sufficient funds to support your stay in Canada;
• You are not medically unfit to travel to Canada; and
• You have no adverse criminal history.

In addition, if you are applying for an employer-specific work permit (often referred to as a 'closed work permit', your employer has to obtain a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) letter from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). If you or your employer wish to apply for and obtain an LMIA letter, we will be happy to assist.  

Your spouse and dependent children can also accompany you to Canada. 

A work permit only allows you to live in Canada temporarily. If you intend to live permanently in Canada and later get Canadian citizenship, you have to apply for permanent residence status either from within Canada while you are working here, or you can return back to your home country and apply for permanent residence. There are different options you can consider. For example, once you have gained work experience in Canada, you may qualify for Canadian permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class, or one of the Provincial Nominee Programs offered by different provinces in Canada.

Starting in January 2023, the spouses and working-age children of a work permit holder can apply to work in Canada under an open work permit. Under this program, the family members of around 200,000 foreign workers could benefit and get an open work permit. This will offer a great opportunity for immediate family members of foreign workers in Canada who want to live and work in Canada on a temporary basis. Initially, this program will enable family members of workers coming to Canada through the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program to apply for an open work permit.

We will be happy to provide assistance throughout the LMIA and work permit application.

For business work permits, please go to the 'Business' page.