ImmigrationFebruary 18, 202612 min read

Guide to IMM 1295: Application for Work Permit in Canada

By WelcomeAide Team

Professional reviewing the IMM 1295 work permit application form for Canada

What Is the IMM 1295?

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Quick tip: download the official IMM1295 first, then fill it while following this guide: Download IMM1295 form (official IRCC).

The IMM 1295 is the official application form for a work permit in Canada. If you are a foreign national who wants to work in Canada, you will typically need to fill out this form as part of your work permit application. The form collects your personal details, employment history, information about the Canadian employer offering you a job, and other details IRCC needs to assess your application.

For newcomers to Canada, the work permit system can be confusing because there are multiple streams and categories. The IMM 1295 is the common form used across most work permit types, but the supporting documents and requirements vary depending on whether your work permit is LMIA-based (your employer obtained a Labour Market Impact Assessment) or LMIA-exempt (you qualify under an exemption like an international trade agreement, spousal open work permit, or post-graduation work permit).

Types of Work Permits in Canada

Before filling out the IMM 1295, understand which type of work permit you are applying for:

Employer-Specific Work Permits (Closed Work Permits)

These tie you to a specific employer, job, and location. You need either:

A positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) obtained by your employer from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), or
An LMIA exemption under a specific program (e.g., intra-company transfer, NAFTA/CUSMA professional)

Open Work Permits

These allow you to work for any employer in Canada (with some exceptions). Common categories include:

Spousal/common-law partner open work permits (for partners of skilled workers or international students)
Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP) for those transitioning to permanent residence
Work permits for vulnerable workers

Overview of different types of Canadian work permits available to newcomers

Step-by-Step Guide to the IMM 1295

Section 1: Personal Details

Enter your information exactly as it appears on your passport:

Family name and given name(s)
Date of birth: YYYY-MM-DD
Country of birth and citizenship
Current country of residence
Marital status
Passport number and expiry date: Your passport should be valid for at least the duration of your intended work permit

Section 2: Contact Information

Provide your current mailing address, email, and phone number. If you have a representative (immigration lawyer or consultant) acting on your behalf, they will be identified on a separate form (IMM 5476, Use of a Representative).

Section 3: Details of Intended Work in Canada

This is a critical section. Provide:

Employer name: The full legal name of the Canadian employer
Employer address: The business address in Canada
LMIA number: If your employer obtained an LMIA, enter the number here. If your application is LMIA-exempt, enter the relevant exemption code (e.g., C41 for spousal open work permit, A75 for PGWP)
Job title: The exact title as stated in the LMIA or job offer
NOC code: The National Occupational Classification code for the position. Canada uses the NOC 2021 system — you can find the correct code at https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/
Intended duration of employment: Start and end dates
Wages: The hourly or annual salary as stated in the job offer

For open work permits, some of these fields will be marked "Not applicable" or "Open" since you are not tied to a specific employer.

Section 4: Education

List your highest level of education completed:

Name of institution
Country
Field of study
Dates attended
Degree or diploma obtained

Section 5: Employment History

Provide your work history for the past 10 years. Include:

Employer names and addresses
Job titles
Dates of employment
Periods of unemployment or study

Account for every period — no gaps should be left unexplained.

Section 6: Background Questions

Answer truthfully about:

Previous visa or permit refusals in any country
Criminal convictions
Health conditions
Previous deportations or removals
Military service

Section 7: Signature and Declaration

Sign and date the form (electronically if applying online). By signing, you declare that all information is truthful and complete. Making false statements is a criminal offence under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Professional working in a Canadian office after receiving a work permit

Required Supporting Documents

Depending on your work permit type, you will need some or all of the following:

Valid passport
Job offer letter: Detailing your position, salary, and working conditions
LMIA confirmation letter: If applicable
Employer compliance fee receipt: If applicable ($230 CAD per LMIA application, paid by the employer)
Proof of qualifications: Diplomas, degrees, professional certifications, or trade certificates
Proof of work experience: Reference letters from previous employers
Passport-size photographs: Meeting IRCC specifications
Biometrics: Fingerprints and photo at a designated collection point
Immigration medical exam: If required based on your country of residence or the type of work (e.g., healthcare, childcare, agriculture)
Police certificates: From every country where you have lived for 6 months or more since age 18
Proof of fees paid: Work permit processing fee ($155 CAD) plus open work permit holder fee ($100 CAD, if applicable) and biometrics fee ($85 CAD)

LMIA vs. LMIA-Exempt: Understanding the Difference

This distinction is fundamental to the Canadian work permit system:

LMIA-based: Your Canadian employer must apply to ESDC and prove that they could not find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the position. This process can take several weeks to months and costs the employer $1,000 per position. Once the employer receives a positive LMIA, you use it in your work permit application.

LMIA-exempt: Certain categories do not require an LMIA. Instead, the employer submits an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pays a $230 compliance fee. Common LMIA-exempt categories include:

International agreements (CUSMA/USMCA, CETA, CPTPP)
Intra-company transferees
Spousal open work permits
Post-graduation work permits
Significant benefit to Canada (e.g., certain researchers, entrepreneurs)

Applying Online

Most work permit applications are submitted online through your IRCC account at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html. The process involves:

Creating an IRCC online account or signing in with GCKey
Answering eligibility questions to receive your personalized document checklist
Completing the IMM 1295 and uploading supporting documents
Paying the required fees
Submitting and waiting for processing

You can also apply at a port of entry (airport or land border) in some cases, such as when you are a citizen of a country that does not require a TRV and you have all the necessary documents with you.

Common Reasons for Refusal

Insufficient proof you will leave Canada: For closed work permits, IRCC needs to be satisfied you will leave when your permit expires. Show ties to your home country
Employer compliance issues: If the employer has a history of non-compliance with work permit conditions, your application may be affected
Incomplete application: Missing documents, unsigned forms, or incorrect fees
Inadmissibility: Criminal record, health issues, or security concerns
Misrepresentation: Any false information, even unintentional, can lead to refusal and a 5-year ban

Tips for Newcomers

Understand your conditions: Read your work permit carefully when you receive it. It will specify your employer, job, location, and validity dates. Working outside these conditions is a violation and can affect future applications
Apply for a SIN: You need a Social Insurance Number to work legally in Canada. Apply at a Service Canada office or online once you arrive
Know your rights: Canadian employment standards protect all workers, including temporary foreign workers. You have the right to a safe workplace, minimum wage, and overtime pay. If your employer violates your rights, contact the provincial labour standards office
Maintain your status: If you want to extend your work permit, apply before it expires. You can continue working on "implied status" while your extension is being processed, as long as you applied before your current permit expired
Pathway to PR: Many work permit holders transition to permanent residence through programs like Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Programs, or the Atlantic Immigration Program. Start planning your PR pathway early

The IMM 1295 is a straightforward form, but the work permit system behind it is complex. Take time to understand which stream applies to you, gather all required documents, and submit a complete application. Working in Canada is a tremendous opportunity, and a well-prepared work permit application is your first step.

Download This Form

Before you submit anything, download the latest official file here: Download IMM1295 form (official IRCC). Always use the latest version.

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