How to Get a Canadian Work Permit

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.

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.

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.

Eligibility requirements 

Open work permits allow you to work for any employer in Canada and do not require a job offer. 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 Teer 0, 1, 2 and 3 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.

General requirements for all Canadian work permit types

• You must be 18 years old or older.
• You must prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your family (if applicable) during your stay in Canada, usually by providing a recent financial statement.
• You may need to undergo medical exams and provide a police clearance certificate from your home country.
• You must provide proof of your intent to leave Canada when your work permit expires, except if you plan to extend your visa or apply for permanent residency.
• You must provide all the required documents, including passport photos, academic certificates, professional certificates, and any travel or identification documents requested by the Canadian immigration authorities to support your application.

How to apply for a work permit to work in Canada

1. 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.
    
2. 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. 
    
3. 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). 
    
4. 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. 
    

Average 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. Typically, the work permit processing time ranges from one to nine months.
 

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.

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