Work Permits

In order to apply for an employer-specific work permit from outside Canada, you should check whether or not you will need a visa to enter the country when you arrive. Anyone can apply for a work permit before entering Canada providing that they have a job offer and eligible sponsoring employer.

To apply for an employer-specific work permit from within Canada, you should either:

👉 already hold a valid study or work permit;

👉 have a spouse, common-law partner or parent with a valid study or work permit;

👉 be an international student who has graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada and who is eligible to apply under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program;

👉 hold a temporary resident permit with at least six months’ validity remaining;

👉 be awaiting a decision on a permanent residence application;

👉 have applied for refugee protection;

👉 have been recognized as a convention refugee or protected person;

👉 be permitted to work in Canada without a work permit, but require one in order to change jobs; or

👉 be covered by the provisions of the Canada-USA-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

In addition, when applying for an employer-specific work permit, you must be prepared to prove that:

👉 you intend to leave Canada upon the expiry of your work permit

👉 you can support yourself and your family members while in Canada

👉 you have sufficient funds to allow you to return home when your permit expires

👉 you have no criminal record in any country you have lived in previously

👉 you are in good health

Your employer must have provided you with an employment contract, and have either completed a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or provided you with an ‘offer of employment’ number if your position is exempt from the LMIA requirement.