Work Permit
Canada offers
various avenues for foreigners seeking to work temporarily, catering to a wide
range of skills and circumstances. Generally, you will need a work permit, and
the type of permit and application process depend on your situation.
There are two
main categories of work permits:
- Employer-Specific Work Permit
(Closed Work Permit):
- This permit is tied to a specific
employer, job, and location. You can only work for the employer named on
your permit.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program
(TFWP): Many employer-specific permits fall under the TFWP. For an
employer to hire you through this program, they typically need a Labour
Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is a document that confirms
there is a need for a foreign worker to fill a job and that no Canadian
citizen or permanent resident is available to do the work.
b. Open Work Permit:
- This permit allows you to work for
almost any employer in Canada with a few exceptions. You do not need a
specific job offer or an LMIA to apply for an open work permit.
o
International
Mobility Program (IMP): Many open work permits are issued under the IMP, which
aims to advance Canada's broader economic, social, or cultural interests. These
are generally LMIA-exempt. Common examples include:
- Post-Graduation Work
Permit (PGWP): For international students who have graduated from
eligible Canadian educational institutions. (Note: Recent changes mean
that not all programs will qualify for a PGWP for applications submitted
on or after June 25, 2025.)
- Spousal Open Work
Permit: For the spouses or common-law partners of international students
or skilled workers who are currently studying or working in Canada.
- International
Experience Canada (IEC): This program has various streams (e.g., Working
Holiday, Young Professionals, International Co-op) that allow youth from
eligible countries to work and travel in Canada.
- Intra-Company
Transfers: For employees being transferred from a foreign branch of a
multinational company to a Canadian branch.
Work permits under
international agreements
.