How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada: A Newcomer's Guide

Understanding Work Permits in Canada

If you are a newcomer to Canada and want to work here, you will likely need a work permit. A work permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows a foreign national to work in Canada for a specific period. Understanding the types of work permits and how to apply is one of the most important steps in your settlement journey.

There are two main types of work permits in Canada: employer-specific work permits and open work permits. Each has different requirements, and the type you need depends on your situation. This guide covers both types in detail.

Employer-Specific Work Permits

An employer-specific work permit ties you to a single employer. It specifies the name of the employer, the location of your job, and how long you can work. You cannot work for a different employer unless you apply for a new work permit.

The LMIA Process

In most cases, before you can get an employer-specific work permit, your employer must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). An LMIA proves that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the job.

The LMIA process is the employer's responsibility, not yours. Your employer must advertise the position for at least four weeks, prove they offered competitive wages, and demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market. The employer pays a processing fee of $1,000 CAD per position.

Once your employer receives a positive LMIA, they will send you a copy. You use this document as part of your work permit application.

LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

Some employer-specific work permits do not require an LMIA. These are called LMIA-exempt work permits. Common exemptions include:

• Intra-company transfers (employees being transferred within a multinational company)
• Workers covered under international trade agreements such as CUSMA (formerly NAFTA)
• Certain francophone workers outside Quebec under the Mobilite Francophone stream
• Charitable or religious workers
• Spouses of skilled workers or international students

For LMIA-exempt positions, the employer submits an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pays a compliance fee of $230 CAD. You then receive an employer compliance number to include in your work permit application.

Open Work Permits

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, in any location, and in any occupation. You do not need an LMIA or a job offer. Open work permits are available to specific groups of people.

Who Can Get an Open Work Permit?

Common categories of people eligible for open work permits include:

• Spouses or common-law partners of skilled workers or international students
• Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) holders
• Applicants for permanent residence who hold a valid status in Canada (bridging open work permit)
• Refugees or protected persons
• Young people on International Experience Canada (IEC) working holidays
• Holders of certain humanitarian and compassionate permits
• Ukrainian nationals under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)

Bridging Open Work Permits

If you have applied for permanent residence through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program and your current work permit is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit (BOWP). The BOWP allows you to continue working legally in Canada while you wait for your permanent residence application to be processed.

To qualify for a BOWP, you must be in Canada, hold a valid work permit (or have maintained status), and have received confirmation that your permanent residence application has passed the completeness check. The processing fee for a BOWP is $255 CAD, plus the $100 CAD open work permit holder fee.

How to Apply for a Work Permit

Applying from Outside Canada

If you are outside Canada, you apply online through your IRCC online account. You answer eligibility questions, receive a personalized document checklist, upload your documents, pay the fees, and submit.

Required documents typically include:

• A valid passport or travel document
• The positive LMIA or employer compliance number (for employer-specific permits)
• A job offer letter detailing your position, salary, and duties
• Proof of your qualifications (education credentials, work experience letters)
• Proof of financial support
• Passport-size photographs meeting IRCC specifications
• Police clearance certificates (if requested)
• Medical examination results (if requested)

Applying from Inside Canada

If you are already in Canada with valid status, you can apply to extend or change your work permit online. You follow the same process through your IRCC account. You may be eligible for implied status, which means you can continue working under the conditions of your current permit while your new application is being processed, as long as you applied before your current permit expired.

Applying at a Port of Entry

Citizens of certain countries may be able to apply for a work permit at a Canadian port of entry (airport or land border crossing). This is only available in limited circumstances, such as for LMIA-exempt work permits or for citizens of countries that do not require a temporary resident visa. If you are unsure whether you can apply at the port of entry, apply online instead to avoid being turned away.

Fees

The fees for a work permit application depend on the type of permit:

• Work permit application (individual): $155 CAD
• Open work permit holder fee: $100 CAD (in addition to the $155 processing fee, total $255 for open work permits)
• Biometrics: $85 CAD
• Employer compliance fee (paid by employer for LMIA-exempt positions): $230 CAD
• LMIA processing fee (paid by employer): $1,000 CAD per position

Fees are paid online by credit or prepaid card. They are non-refundable, even if your application is refused.

Biometrics

Most work permit applicants aged 14 to 79 must provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph). After submitting your application and paying the biometrics fee, you will receive a biometrics instruction letter. You must visit a designated collection site within 30 days. Biometrics are valid for 10 years.

Processing Times

Processing times vary depending on the type of work permit and the country you are applying from. As of early 2026, processing times for work permits range from 2 weeks to 6 months. LMIA-exempt applications processed at a port of entry may be completed on the same day.

You can check current processing times on the IRCC processing times page. Apply as early as possible to account for delays.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

The Post-Graduation Work Permit is one of the most popular open work permits. If you graduated from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution, you can apply for a PGWP within 180 days of completing your program. The PGWP allows you to work for any employer in Canada for up to three years.

The length of your PGWP depends on the length of your study program. Programs of eight months but less than two years receive a PGWP equal to the program length. Programs of two years or longer receive a three-year PGWP. The application fee is $255 CAD ($155 processing plus $100 open work permit holder fee).

The PGWP is a key pathway to permanent residence. Work experience gained on a PGWP can qualify you for Express Entry under the Canadian Experience Class or for Provincial Nominee Programs.

Your Rights as a Worker in Canada

Regardless of the type of work permit you hold, you have rights as a worker in Canada. These include:

• The right to be paid at least minimum wage (varies by province; in BC it is $17.40 per hour as of 2025)
• The right to safe working conditions
• The right to keep your passport (your employer cannot take it)
• The right to be free from harassment and discrimination
• The right to leave an abusive employer (open work permits for vulnerable workers are available)

If your employer mistreats you, you can report them to the ESDC confidential tip line or apply for an open work permit for vulnerable workers. This permit is free and lets you leave your employer immediately while maintaining legal status.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Working without a valid work permit or working outside the conditions of your permit
• Starting work before your permit is issued
• Not applying for an extension before your current permit expires
• Accepting a job offer that seems too good to be true (watch for scams)
• Paying an employer or recruiter for a job offer (this is often fraud)
• Not keeping copies of all your immigration documents

How WelcomeAide Can Help

Navigating the work permit process can be confusing, especially if English or French is not your first language. WelcomeAide's programs provide newcomers with accessible, multilingual information about immigration processes.

Our AI chat assistant can answer your questions about work permits, LMIA, PGWP, and more in your preferred language. Visit our about page to learn about our team, or read more settlement guides on our blog. See how we are helping newcomers across Canada on our impact page.

Whether you are applying for your first work permit or extending an existing one, having accurate information makes all the difference. Take your time, gather your documents, and apply with confidence.