Canada Work Permit

Working in Canada usually requires the right type of work authorization, and having a Canadian job offer does not automatically mean that a person is eligible for a work permit.

The correct application depends on factors such as the job, employer, applicant’s current status, and whether the position requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or qualifies for an LMIA exemption. Identifying the correct work permit category before applying can help avoid an application that does not match the applicant’s actual circumstances.

Anka Canada Immigration Consulting assists workers and employers with assessing the appropriate work permit pathway and preparing applications clearly and consistently.

Services are provided by Volkan Sacilik, RCIC-IRB, CICC Licence No. R1042981.

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What Is a Canadian Work Permit?

A work permit is an immigration document that authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada under specified conditions.

Canada generally has two types of work permits:

• Employer-specific work permits, which authorize work for the employer and under the conditions listed on the permit.

• Open work permits, which allow eligible individuals to work for most employers in Canada.

Open work permits are available only in specific situations. Applicants cannot simply choose an open work permit because it offers greater flexibility.

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Do You Need an LMIA?

Many employer-specific work permits require the employer to first obtain a positive LMIA, demonstrating the need to hire a foreign worker.

However, Canada also has a number of LMIA-exempt work permit categories under the International Mobility Program. In many of these cases, the employer must submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and provide the worker with an offer of employment number before the work permit application is filed.

Whether an LMIA is required should be determined before the application is prepared. A valid job offer by itself does not establish which work permit pathway applies.

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Who May Be Eligible for an Open Work Permit?

Open work permits are available only where a specific immigration program or policy permits them.

Depending on the circumstances, eligible applicants may include certain:

• spouses or common-law partners of workers or students;

• recent graduates eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit;

• permanent residence applicants;

• sponsored spouses or partners;

• refugees, refugee claimants or protected persons;

• workers experiencing or at risk of workplace abuse.

Each category has its own eligibility rules, and those rules may change over time.

 

Where Can You Apply?

The correct application process depends on your circumstances.

Some applicants apply from outside Canada, while only certain people are eligible to apply for a work permit from inside Canada. Applications at a port of entry are also limited to eligible travellers and specific circumstances.

For this reason, determining both which work permit you qualify for and where the application can legally be made is an important part of planning the application.​

 

When a Work Permit May Not Be the Right Application

Not every activity performed in Canada requires a work permit, and not every person with employment opportunities is eligible to apply for one.

Certain foreign nationals may perform specific activities without a work permit, while others may need a different immigration authorization altogether.

Similarly, someone whose primary objective is study, permanent residence or another immigration pathway should not assume that filing a work permit application is automatically the appropriate way to maintain or change status.

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Common Issues in Work Permit Applications

Work permit applications can become more complicated when:

• the wrong LMIA or LMIA-exempt category is selected;

• the employer has not completed the required steps before filing;

• the job offer and supporting documents contain inconsistent information;

• the applicant assumes that being inside Canada automatically permits an in-Canada work permit application;

• current immigration status or expiry dates are misunderstood;

• previous refusals or immigration history are not properly disclosed.

Reviewing the immigration category, employer documents and applicant’s status before filing can help identify these issues early.

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How Anka Canada Immigration Consulting Can Assist

Anka can assess the proposed employment and the applicant’s immigration circumstances to determine which work permit pathway may apply and whether employer action is required before filing.

Where retained, we can review employer and applicant documentation, prepare the work permit application and representative submissions, and identify status or eligibility issues that should be addressed before submission.

The objective is not simply to submit a work permit application, but to help ensure that the application being filed is the appropriate one for the employment arrangement and the applicant’s circumstances.

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Important Information

Canadian work permit programs and eligibility rules can change. The appropriate application depends on the applicant, employer, proposed employment and rules in force at the relevant time. Information on this page is general and does not guarantee approval.