Who needs a work permit in Canada?
All foreign nationals who intend to work in Canada, whether on short-term contracts or more permanent roles, must have a work permit. The exceptions are foreigners on specific short-term jobs such as media crew, performing artists, emergency service providers, foreign diplomats and United Nations employees and their families.
Benefits of working in Canada
Working in Canada offers you several advantages beyond earning a salary, including:
Universal Healthcare: The Canadian healthcare system (called ‘Medicare’) allows all permanent Canadian residents, citizens and their families to access free medical care. This comprehensive coverage gives you the peace of mind to live a healthy, productive life.
Affordable Cost of Living: Compared to many other developed nations, Canada offers a relatively low cost of living. This means you can enjoy a high standard of living while saving more.
Job Security: The Canadian Employment Insurance (EI) program provides temporary financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs due to company downsizing, restructuring, or other economic reasons. This financial support while you search for new employment can be a crucial buffer, reducing the stress associated with job loss.
Good Wages: Canada enforces a minimum wage across all provinces and mandates overtime pay, typically 50% more than the regular rate for hours worked beyond standard full-time hours. Some regions even require double pay for extensive overtime, ensuring fair compensation for long work hours.
Generous Leave Benefits: Canadian employment laws promote work-life balance with ample leave options. Depending on your work history, you can take up to 28 weeks off to care for a critically ill relative or enjoy 17 to 52 weeks of maternity or paternity leave. This flexibility helps you handle important life events without worrying about your job security.
Pathway to Citizenship: Living in Canada as a permanent resident opens up excellent opportunities for applying for citizenship. You must demonstrate that you have resided in Canada for at least three years within the last five years. Most permanent residents in Canada take this step, gaining access to all the benefits of Canadian citizenship.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Families with children can receive monthly tax-free financial support. As of 2025/2026, eligible families receive up to CAD $648.91 per month for children under 6, and up to CAD $547.50 per month for children aged 6 to 17. Benefit amounts are income-tested and adjusted annually.
Paid Vacation Leave: Under federal employment standards, employees are entitled to at least 2 weeks of paid vacation after 1 year of continuous employment, and 3 weeks after 5 years of employment. Provincial standards may be higher.
Employment Insurance (EI): Workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own can receive temporary income support through Canada's Employment Insurance program.
Universal Healthcare (Medicare): Permanent residents and many work permit holders are eligible to access provincial healthcare. Coverage timelines vary by province, some have a 3-month waiting period.
Pathway to Permanent Residency: Many Canadian work permits provide a route to permanent residency through programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.
Types of Canadian work permits
There are primarily two types of Canadian work permits – Open work permits and Employer-specific work permits.
Open work permits
Open work permits offer the flexibility to work for any employer in Canada without being tied to a specific job or location. Here are some common types of open work permits in Canada:
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP): For people whose spouses or common-law partners of work permit holders or international students in Canada.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): For recent graduates of designated learning institutions in Canada. You must apply for the permit within 180 days of receiving confirmation from your school (such as a transcript or an official letter) that you have met the requirements for completing your academic program.
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): For individuals who have applied for permanent residency in Canada and are waiting for a decision or whose current work permit will soon expire and have applied for a renewal. The BOWP allows you to work while your application is being processed.
Who qualifies?
An open work permit allows you to work for almost any employer in Canada without a job offer. The following groups are eligible:
Vulnerable workers facing abuse or exploitation: Foreign nationals in Canada who are experiencing abuse or are at risk of abuse in their employment can apply for an open work permit without a job offer, without paying a fee, and with expedited processing.
Refugee claimants and protected persons: Individuals who have made a refugee claim in Canada and are awaiting a decision, and those who have been recognised as protected persons by the Immigration and Refugee Board, are eligible for an open work permit.
Participants in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program: Young adults aged 18-35 from IEC partner countries can apply for a working holiday, young professionals, or international co-op (internship) work permit under the IEC program. IEC permits allow holders to work for most Canadian employers for 12 to 24 months.
Employer-specific work permits
Employer-specific work permits (or ‘Closed work permits’) require you to have a job offer from a Canadian employer. Closed work permits in Canada include:
LMIA-based work permit: This is the most common type of work permit in Canada. Among other requirements, your employer must pass a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) proving that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker is available.
NAFTA work permit: For Americans and Mexicans working in certain professions employed in Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – a treaty that eliminates most tariffs and trade barriers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Intra-company transfer permit: For executives, senior managers, and skilled workers in multinational corporations who are being transferred to the Canadian branch of their companies.
On the other hand, employer-specific work permits have more defined requirements listed below:
You must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer who has passed an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Your employer must demonstrate compliance with Canadian labour laws and provide a contract that outlines your role, wages, and working conditions.
The job offered should generally be classified under Tier 0, 1, 2 and 3 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
General requirements for all Canadian work permit types
How to apply for a work permit to work in Canada
How to apply for a work permit to work in Canada
Determine the Work Permit You Need: First, decide whether you need an open or employer-specific work permit. Your choice will depend on your job offer, your status in Canada, or if you qualify for any special provisions under Canadian immigration law.
Gather Required Documents: These documents typically include your job offer letter (if applicable), proof of qualifications and work experience, financial proof, a valid passport, and your completed application forms. If your documents are not in English or French, you must get a Canadian-certified translator to translate them to English or French.
Submit an Application: Create an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, complete the online application form for your chosen work permit type, and upload the required documents. You’ll also need to pay processing and biometric fees (see below for the amount).
Prepare for Arrival: If your application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction via email confirming the approval. Note that this letter is not your actual work permit. You must bring this letter, your passport, and any other required documents to a Canadian entry port, where you will receive your work permit upon arrival. Remember, always use a reputable provider of certified translation services in canada for all document translations.
Pay fees: Pay the Canada Work Permit application fees online through your IRCC account or directly by credit/debit card at the time of application.
Fee Type | Amount (CAD) | Applies To |
Work Permit Application Fee | CAD 155 | All work permit applicants |
Biometrics Fee | CAD 85 | Applicants aged 14–79 (if required) |
Open Work Permit Holder Fee | CAD 100 | Open work permit applicants only |
Restoration of Status Fee | CAD 229 | Applicants restoring expired status in Canada |
Give your biometrics (Expand): If you are between the ages of 14 and 79, you’ll be required to give your fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) as part of your application. Here is what to expect:
You will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) from IRCC after submitting your application.
Use this letter to book an appointment at a designated Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Application Support Center (ASC).
Biometrics are valid for 10 years - if you have given biometrics for a previous Canadian application within the last 10 years, you may not need to give them again.
The biometrics fee is CAD 85 per person, or CAD 170 for a family applying together.
Canada work permit processing time
The processing time for a Canadian work permit can vary significantly based on several factors including the permit type, the applicant's country of origin, the completeness of the application, and the current workload at the IRCC. Here’s what a typical timeline;
Standard overseas applications: 3 to 4 months on average
Inside Canada applications: typically faster, check the IRCC website for current timelines
LMIA-based employer-specific permits (via Deel or direct application): 2 to 4 months depending on country of citizenship
IEC working holiday permits: processing times vary by pool draw, check your IEC account for your invitation to apply status You can check current processing times on IRCC website.
Processing fees
The cost of applying for a Canadian work permit can vary depending on several factors including the type of permit and any additional services or requirements.
Base Work Permit Fee: The fee for an individual application for a work permit is CA$155.
Open Work Permit Fee: If you are applying for an open work permit, you’ll need to pay an additional fee of CA$100, bringing the total cost to CA$255.
Biometrics Fee: CA$85 for an individual or a maximum of CA$170 for a family applying together.
IRCC certified translation requirements
According to IRCC, the translation must be accompanied by an affidavit sworn by the translator, or a certification statement confirming that the translation is accurate and complete. The translator does not need to be a government-accredited translator in Canada, but the certification statement is mandatory. For IRCC applications, both the original document and the certified translation must be submitted together.
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