Work Permit

Most people need a work permit to work in Canada on a temporary basis. A work permit is a document issued by IRCC that authorizes a foreign national to work legally in Canada. It sets out conditions for the worker such as: the type of work they can do, the employers they can work for, where they can work, and how long they can work. There are two types of work permits: open work permits (OWP) and employer-specific work permits (e.g., closed work permit).

Open Work Permit (OWP)

An open work permit allows a foreign national to work for almost any employer in Canada and in various locations. A temporary resident of Canada (foreign national) may apply for the following open work permits if he/she meets the requirements:

1. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP);
2. Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP);
3. Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP);
4. Co-op Work Permit; and
5. OWP for International Experience Canada (IEC) Participants (e.g., Working Holiday program).

The PGWP is important for international students that want to make their Canadian immigration applications more competitive. The combination of a Canadian education and Canadian work experience gained through the PGWP will enhance a student’s chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residence.

The biggest advantage of open work permits is that they allow for freedom of movement, whether it is between workplaces, employers, occupations, or locations in Canada. Open work permits are also exempt from some of the requirements associated with obtaining a permit to work in Canada. A job offer or a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will not be required in order to be eligible for an open work permit.

An individual may be eligible for an open work permit if the individual falls under one of the following categories:

1. An international student who has graduated from a designated educational institution and is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program;
2. An individual who applied for permanent residence in Canada under one of Canada’s immigration programs;
3. A dependent family member (e.g., spouse or common-law partner) of a person who has applied for permanent residence;
4. The spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student;
5. A temporary resident permit holder;
6. A refugee, asylum seeker, protected person or their family member;
7. An individual who is under an unenforceable removal order;
8. A young worker participating in the Working Holiday program;
9. A student who is unable to meet the costs of studies; or
10. An individual has a work permit specific to an employer and who is being abused or is at risk of being abused in the course of his/her employment in Canada.

Employer-specific work permit

An employer-specific work permit allows a foreign national to work for a specific employer according to the conditions on the work permit, which include: the name of the employer, the duration of the work, and the work location.

Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), before hiring a foreign national an employer must first obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada or Service Canada that allows an employer to hire a foreign worker through the TFWP. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no available Canadian worker is qualified for the job. The purpose of the LMIA is to ensure that the arrival of foreign workers will not hurt existing Canadian workers in Canada.

An LMIA application must be made by an employer. Once the LMIA is obtained, the employer must send it to the candidate (foreign national) to accompany his/her work permit application. Generally, a temporary foreign worker will need a work permit and a positive LMIA in order to work in Canada.