Canada issues two kinds of work permits, and a small group of activities needs no permit at all. Before anyone fills in a form, three questions have to be answered: which legal category covers the worker, what the employer must do first, and from where the worker is allowed to apply. This chapter walks through each of them, then covers fees, extensions, maintained status, changing employers, restoration, travel and workplace rights.
Employer-specific and open work permits are not interchangeable
| Authorization | What it allows | What must exist first |
|---|---|---|
| Employer-specific work permit | Work only under the conditions printed on the permit: the named employer, occupation and location, until the expiry date | A job offer plus a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA), or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment submitted by the employer in the IRCC Employer Portal |
| Open work permit | Work for most employers in Canada; some permits still restrict the province, occupation or type of work | Eligibility under a specific category, such as certain graduates, family members, permanent residence applicants or vulnerable workers |
| Work without a permit | Only the exempt activity, for the allowed period | The person and the actual duties must fit a listed exemption; a visitor visa or eTA may still be needed to travel |
IRCC describes the employer-specific permit as the most common type. An open permit never allows work for an employer on IRCC's list of non-compliant employers, or for an employer that regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.
Every worker must qualify for the permit and for temporary residence
- Fit one exact categoryIdentify the work permit category and prove the education, experience, language ability and any professional licence the real job duties require.
- Meet the general requirementsShow enough money for yourself and your family during the stay and to return home, include all required documents, and satisfy the officer that you will leave Canada when your authorized stay ends. A plan to apply for permanent residence later can coexist with a genuine temporary plan (dual intent).
- Be admissibleA permit can be refused for medical inadmissibility, criminality, security concerns or misrepresentation. Prior refusals, overstays, unauthorized work or study and removal history should be addressed directly. IRCC may ask for police certificates.
- Complete a medical exam when requiredAn immigration medical exam is needed for stays over six months if you lived in or travelled to a designated country for six months or more in a row in the past year, and for any job where public health must be protected: health care settings, primary or secondary schools, child care, in-home caregiving, and agricultural work after time in a designated country. Exam results are valid for 12 months.
- Family members apply separatelyA spouse or child never receives a permit automatically. Each person needs their own application and must meet the current family-member rules, which were narrowed on January 21, 2025.
First decide whether the job is LMIA-based, LMIA-exempt or open-permit work
A job title alone never proves the route. The National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and TEER category, the duties, wage, location, employer, duration and exemption code must tell one consistent story across every document.
| Route | Employer's step | What the worker receives |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program (LMIA) | The employer applies to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), meets recruitment, wage and stream rules, and obtains a positive LMIA | A copy of the LMIA decision letter and its Annex A, the LMIA number, a job offer and an employment contract |
| International Mobility Program (LMIA-exempt) | The employer normally submits the offer of employment and pays the $230 employer compliance fee in the Employer Portal before the worker applies | An offer of employment number (the letter "A" followed by seven digits, usable for one application only), the contract and proof of the exemption |
| Open work permit | No employer filing before the application | Nothing from the employer; the worker proves they personally fit the open-permit category |
| Work without a permit | Nothing, if a listed exemption truly covers the work | Evidence of the exemption and the right entry document; the border officer still decides admission |
An employer who hires someone who already holds an open work permit does not need an LMIA.
LMIA-based permits come through distinct Temporary Foreign Worker Program streams
A positive LMIA supports the work permit; it does not guarantee approval. The worker still has to prove qualifications, admissibility and the general temporary-residence requirements.
| ESDC stream | Typical use | Key employer requirement |
|---|---|---|
| High-wage positions | Wage at or above the provincial or territorial threshold (median hourly wage plus 20%; $36.92 in Ontario for LMIAs received from July 17, 2026) | At least three recruitment methods, prevailing wage, a transition plan; employment of up to 3 years may be requested |
| Low-wage positions | Wage below the threshold | Refusal to process in census metropolitan areas with 6% or higher unemployment, a 10% cap (20% in listed sectors), 8 weeks of advertising, round-trip transport, affordable housing and health insurance; maximum of 1 year |
| Global Talent Stream | Category A referrals by a designated partner, or Category B occupations on the Global Talent Occupations list | A Labour Market Benefits Plan; ESDC's service standard is 10 business days and IRCC's work permit standard is about 2 weeks |
| Primary agriculture | Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (Mexico and participating Caribbean countries), the agricultural stream, or the wage-based streams for agriculture | Commodity, housing, transport and contract rules for each stream |
| Caregiver positions | Full-time care in a private household for children, or for people with high medical needs | High-wage or low-wage stream rules; see the caution on overseas caregivers in the LMIA guide |
| Other streams | Foreign academics, positions supporting permanent residence, hiring in Québec, and the Recognized Employer Pilot | Stream-specific rules; the Recognized Employer Pilot stopped accepting new employers on September 16, 2024 |
The full employer-side rules, current wage thresholds and the list of affected cities are in the LMIA-based work permits guide.
LMIA-exempt employer-specific permits use the International Mobility Program
An LMIA exemption is not an exemption from the work permit. In most cases the employer must still submit the offer in the Employer Portal and pay the compliance fee before the worker applies.
Free trade agreements
CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP and Canada's other agreements can cover qualifying professionals, traders, investors and intra-company transferees. Nationality, occupation, credentials and the business relationship must match the agreement.
Intra-company transferees
The foreign and Canadian companies must have a qualifying relationship, and the worker must be an executive, senior manager or have specialized knowledge.
Francophone Mobility
French-speaking workers with oral French at NCLC 5 or higher and a job offer outside Québec, in any TEER category except primary agriculture jobs in TEER 4 and 5.
Significant benefit
For work that brings significant social, cultural or economic benefit to Canada. IRCC treats it as a tool for unusual cases, supported by detailed evidence.
International Experience Canada
Young Professionals and International Co-op are employer-specific; Working Holiday is open. Only citizens of partner countries can take part, and Iran is not one of them.
Reciprocal, research and public-policy codes
Academic exchanges, performing arts, research, co-op placements, religious and charitable work and several public policies each have narrow, activity-specific instructions.
See the LMIA-exempt work permits guide for the Employer Portal steps, fee exemptions and each category in detail.
Open work permits exist only for listed people and situations
IRCC states that most people applying from outside Canada cannot get an open work permit.
Graduates and youth
The post-graduation work permit for eligible graduates of eligible programs, and the International Experience Canada Working Holiday category for citizens of partner countries.
Spouses and family
Since January 21, 2025, only spouses of workers in TEER 0 or 1, or in listed TEER 2 or 3 occupations, with at least 16 months left on their authorization; wider rules apply when the worker is on an economic permanent residence pathway. Spouses of students qualify only in listed programs.
Permanent residence applicants
The bridging open work permit and other permits for in-Canada permanent residence applicants become available only at a defined stage of the application.
Protection and vulnerability
Refugee claimants, protected persons, workers experiencing or at risk of abuse in their job, and people covered by crisis measures may have their own route.
Other listed groups
Certain Indigenous persons, temporary resident permit holders, Québec investors and groups named in current public policies, such as Manitoba's 2026 Workforce Transition Bridge.
Restrictions remain
An open permit may carry medical conditions or be limited to one province. It never authorizes work for a non-compliant or ineligible employer.
Work-permit exemptions are narrow and depend on the actual activity
IRCC lists the activities that need no work permit. Even when an occupation is listed, the person must meet that exemption's conditions, and most of these workers still need a visitor visa or eTA to enter Canada.
Business visitors
Meetings, conferences, trade fairs and qualifying after-sales service, as long as the main place of business and source of income stay outside Canada and the person does not enter the Canadian labour market. Stays are normally short and must stay within the visitor's authorized period.
Short-term highly skilled work
A TEER 0 or 1 job for up to 15 consecutive days once every 6 months, or up to 30 consecutive days once every 12 months.
Short-term research
Research at a Canadian publicly funded degree-granting institution or affiliated research institution, for one period of up to 120 days once every 12 months.
Students
Full-time study permit holders may work on or off campus within the conditions of their study permit; some graduates who have applied for a post-graduation work permit may keep working while they wait.
Other listed roles
Foreign government representatives, military personnel, athletes and coaches, news and film crews, short-term performing artists, public speakers, judges and referees, examiners, expert witnesses, aviation and emergency personnel, and religious leaders, each within defined limits.
When the exemption ends
If the duties grow into hands-on service, productive work for a Canadian business, a longer assignment or a different employer, the proper permit is needed before that work starts.
More on short business trips is in the business visitors guide.
Temporary work in Québec can involve both federal and provincial steps
LMIA and CAQ
A paid job in Québec lasting more than 30 days that is based on an LMIA also needs a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). IRCC's document list for LMIA-exempt jobs does not include a CAQ.
Facilitated LMIA
Québec keeps a list of occupations for its facilitated LMIA process, last updated February 24, 2026. Until December 31, 2026, ESDC is not processing low-wage LMIAs for jobs in the Montréal and Laval economic regions, with listed exceptions.
CSQ holders
Holders of a Québec Selection Certificate may have a bridging open work permit (after applying for permanent residence) or an employer-specific permit (before applying), if they meet IRCC's conditions.
IMP+ has wound down
Québec no longer sends IMP+ invitation letters. IRCC processes IMP+ applications only for people who received an invitation letter before January 16, 2025.
2026 PSTQ measure
Workers invited under Québec's skilled worker selection program (PSTQ) who applied for permanent selection may extend with their current Québec employer for up to 12 months, with no new LMIA, CAQ or compliance fee. Applications must be submitted by December 31, 2026.
Québec investors
Investors holding a Québec Notice of Intent to Select can apply for an open work permit.
Apply from the place the rules allow
| Where | When it is available | Key caution |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Canada | The normal route, online, using form IMM 1295 | Approval produces a port of entry letter of introduction, not the permit itself. The border officer issues the permit on arrival. |
| Inside Canada | Extensions and changes, plus only the groups IRCC lists for a first permit (see the next section) | Being in Canada as a visitor does not by itself allow an in-Canada application. The policy that let visitors apply from inside Canada ended on August 28, 2024. |
| Port of entry | Visa-exempt travellers who meet every requirement and carry the LMIA or offer of employment number where needed | Not available to anyone who needs a visitor visa, to most International Experience Canada applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, to Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program applicants or to post-graduation work permit applicants. |
| Leaving and re-entering ("flagpoling") | Ended on December 23, 2024, for most people | Still possible only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, certain free trade agreement professionals and technicians (and some of their spouses), and certain international truck drivers. |
A first work permit application inside Canada is limited to listed groups
IRCC states that most people cannot apply for a work permit from inside Canada. You may apply from inside Canada if one of these describes you:
- you hold a valid work permit or study permit, or your spouse, common-law partner or parent holds one;
- you are eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid;
- you, or a family member in Canada, are waiting for a decision on a spouse or common-law partner permanent residence application (in-Canada class or overseas family class);
- the Immigration and Refugee Board recognized you as a Convention refugee or protected person, or you have made a refugee claim;
- you worked legally in Canada without a permit and now need one for a different job (business visitors are excluded);
- you hold a temporary resident permit valid for 6 months or more;
- you are a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under CUSMA; or
- you applied under Québec's skilled worker selection program (PSTQ).
Build the document package around the route and the real job
- Use the right formOutside Canada: IMM 1295 (Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada). Inside Canada: IMM 5710 (Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker). Follow the personalized checklist in your account and any visa office instructions.
- Identity and statusPassport copy, a photo meeting IRCC specifications, civil and family documents where requested, proof of status in the country where you apply if you are not a citizen there, translations, biometrics and medical results where required.
- Employer-specific evidenceA letter from the current employer, references from past employers, proof of past work, proof you meet the job requirements, and a résumé.
- LMIA jobsA copy of the positive LMIA and its file number, the employment contract and job offer letter, and a CAQ for a paid job in Québec of more than 30 days.
- LMIA-exempt jobsThe employment contract and the offer of employment number. For an open permit, IRCC asks you to upload a page marked "Not applicable" where employment documents are requested.
- Explain anything unusualDiscrepancies, prior refusals, status gaps and family or ownership links to the employer should be explained in writing.
Application, biometrics, decision and arrival are separate steps
- Apply onlinePaper applications are allowed only in limited situations. Answer every question, pay all fees and keep the submission confirmation.
- Biometrics and medicalRespond to the biometric instruction letter within 30 days and complete any medical request. Watch your account for requests for more documents or procedural fairness letters.
- Port of entry letterAn approval from outside Canada produces a letter of introduction. Carry it with your passport, job documents and admissibility evidence; the border officer makes the final decision and prints the permit.
- Check the printed permitBefore leaving the counter, check the employer, occupation, location, validity and any medical condition, and ask for a correction on the spot if something is wrong.
- In-Canada approvalsWhen an in-Canada application is approved, IRCC sends a note to your online account and you may start under the new conditions right away, without waiting for the mailed permit.
Special work permit routes have their own instructions
Post-graduation work permit
Apply within 180 days of completing an eligible program. Language results are required for applications submitted since November 1, 2024, and non-degree programs must meet the field-of-study rule. See the PGWP guide.
Students
Off-campus work is limited to 24 hours a week during academic sessions; working outside the study permit conditions is unauthorized work. See working while studying.
Waiting for permanent residence
A bridging open work permit is available only to listed principal applicants at a defined stage, for example after an Express Entry application passes the completeness check. See the bridging permit guide.
Vulnerable workers
A worker in Canada on a valid employer-specific permit (or awaiting an extension filed in time) who is being abused or is at risk of abuse in their job may apply for an open permit. See the vulnerable worker guide.
Pay the fee that matches the application
These are the amounts on IRCC's fee list (modified September 21, 2026). Fees change from time to time; check the official list on the day you pay. A visitor visa, medical exam, police certificate, translation or Québec step may add separate costs.
| Item | Federal fee (CAD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit, including extensions | $155 per person | Group of 3 or more performing artists and staff: $465 |
| Open work permit holder fee | $100 | Paid in addition to the $155 when the permit is open |
| Restore status as a worker | $401.25 | $246.25 restoration plus $155 work permit; add $100 if the new permit is open |
| International Experience Canada participation | $184.75 | Paid by IEC participants |
| Biometrics | $85 per person; $170 maximum per family applying together | Only when biometrics are required |
| Employer compliance fee (IMP) | $230 | Paid by the employer; $690 for a group of 3 or more entertainers |
| LMIA processing fee (ESDC) | $1,000 per position | Paid by the employer; cannot be recovered from the worker; some caregiver and agricultural positions are exempt |
Apply to extend or change conditions before the permit expires
- TimingIRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before the permit expires. An online application must be submitted before midnight Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on the expiry date, which can fall in the evening in Ontario. A paper application is dated the day it arrives; if it arrives after the expiry date, IRCC counts back 7 days.
- Passport validityA permit cannot be extended past the passport's expiry date. Renew the passport early if it would shorten the new permit.
- Changes need an applicationUse the same process for a new employer, job, location or other condition, or to remove a medical condition after a new exam.
- Pending LMIAMost applicants should wait for the positive LMIA. If the permit expires in two weeks or less and the employer has submitted a complete LMIA (or CAQ) application, the worker may apply first, using code CPTS2026 in the job title field and attaching proof of a valid job offer and the LMIA or CAQ application details; IRCC will not decide the application without the LMIA, and since August 21, 2026 it holds such applications for 90 days after receiving them (previously 60) before deciding.
- The visa is separateExtending the permit does not renew the visitor visa in the passport. Plan travel documents separately.
The full process, with the restoration and travel rules, is in the extension and restoration guide.
Maintained status protects work, but only under exact conditions
The filing rule
Apply to extend or change conditions before the permit expires and stay in Canada. You keep your status, and can keep working, while IRCC decides.
Same conditions
On an employer-specific permit you continue with the same employer, job and location. An open-permit holder can keep changing employers within the old permit's restrictions.
The WP-EXT letter
Online applicants usually receive a letter proving they can keep working. Its expiry is set 365 days after IRCC receives the application; if no decision has been made by then, work under the same conditions may continue.
Wrong type of application
If you applied for a study permit or a visitor record instead, you may work only until the current work permit expires.
Temporary resident permit holders
An application for a temporary resident permit does not give maintained status.
Documents during the wait
While on maintained status you generally cannot renew a provincial health card or driver's licence or update your Social Insurance Number (SIN); you can keep working with an expired SIN.
A new employer usually means a new permit
- Employer-specific permitsTo change jobs or employers, apply for a new employer-specific permit. Filing alone does not allow work for the new employer.
- Interim authorizationAfter filing, an eligible worker in Canada can ask to start the new job early through the IRCC web form, using the temporary public policy code PPCHANGEWORK2020. Business visitors and short-term Global Skills Strategy workers cannot use it.
- Wait for the emailIRCC says it should respond in about 10 to 15 days (longer for paper applications). Start the new job only after the authorization email arrives; the email is not a work permit.
- Open permitsAn open-permit holder can change employers at any time while the permit is valid, subject to the conditions printed on it.
- If the job endsStay in Canada, stop working, find a new offer and apply to change your conditions. Work again only after approval or the authorization email.
If the permit expired without a timely application, stop working
- 90 daysA worker who lost status can apply to restore it, with a new work permit, no more than 90 days after the status expired. Online, submit before midnight UTC on the 90th day.
- ConditionsYou must still meet the original requirements, must have followed the conditions of your stay (for example, no unauthorized work), and cannot be a temporary resident permit holder.
- No work while waitingYou may stay in Canada while the request is decided but normally cannot work until status is restored and the new permit is issued. Each family member who lost status applies and pays separately.
- After 90 daysThe ordinary rule is to leave Canada and apply from outside. One exception: workers applying for an open permit with a support letter from a participating province or territory under a provincial nominee program are exempt from the 90-day limit, from the requirement to have followed the conditions of the stay and from the conditions of the previous permit.
A work permit is not a travel document
Entry document
Carry a valid visitor visa or eTA if your citizenship requires one. Holding a visa or eTA does not guarantee re-entry.
Approved while abroad
If the renewal is approved before you return, you may re-enter as a worker and work as soon as you are admitted.
Still pending on return
If the renewal is still in process, you may re-enter only as a visitor and cannot work until it is approved. Maintained status ends when you leave Canada.
Plan conservatively
Do not travel on the assumption that a pending application, an expired visa or an employer letter will be accepted as work authorization at the border.
After approval, protect your status and keep a clean record
- Follow every conditionWork only for the employer, in the occupation and location, and until the date printed on the permit, and respect any medical condition.
- SIN and payrollApply for or update your Social Insurance Number with the new permit. A SIN is an administrative number; it never creates work authorization.
- Keep recordsContracts, pay statements, T4 slips, Records of Employment and schedules support extensions, complaints and later permanent residence applications.
- Plan aheadPlan extensions, family permits, licences, provincial health coverage and any permanent residence pathway months before expiry. A work permit can build Canadian experience, but it never guarantees permanent residence.
Temporary foreign workers have enforceable rights
Pay and agreement
The employer must pay for all work. A worker on an employer-specific permit should receive a signed agreement setting out the job, conditions, maximum weekly hours and pay.
Safety and health
The employer must keep the workplace safe and help the worker get medical care if injured or sick. A worker can refuse dangerous work.
Documents and fees
An employer cannot take your passport or work permit. The LMIA processing fee cannot be paid by or recovered from the worker, and charging improper recruitment fees is a ground for finding an employer non-compliant.
Speaking up
You do not need the employer's permission to contact labour standards offices, and you cannot be punished or deported for doing so. Abuse can be reported to ESDC online.
Employers must choose the correct process and stay compliant
- Choose the routeCheck IRCC's LMIA exemption codes and work permit exemptions. If none applies, apply for an LMIA through ESDC.
- Follow the stream rulesMeet the recruitment, wage, transition plan, housing, transport and insurance rules of the chosen LMIA stream, or submit the offer and fee in the Employer Portal for an LMIA-exempt hire.
- Give the worker the documentsFor an LMIA, a copy of the decision letter and Annex A; for the International Mobility Program, the offer of employment number and contract.
- Stay compliantPay and treat the worker as promised, keep records for six years, cooperate with inspections and report changes. Non-compliance can lead to monetary penalties, a ban from hiring temporary workers and publication on IRCC's public list.
- Material changesA significant change in duties, wage or location may require a new LMIA, offer or work permit; amending the contract alone does not change the immigration authorization.
Changes in 2025 and 2026 to keep in mind
| Date | Change | Status |
|---|---|---|
| January 21, 2025 | Open work permits for family members of workers and students narrowed | In force |
| March 1, 2026 | Iran special measure narrowed to one work permit extension for Iranian nationals whose permit was issued on or before February 28, 2025, until March 31, 2027 | In force |
| July 17, 2026 | New high-wage thresholds for LMIAs (Ontario $36.92) | In force |
| August 21, 2026 | Extensions waiting for an LMIA: IRCC now waits up to 90 days (previously 60) before deciding | In force |
| October 9, 2026 | Updated list of 30 cities where low-wage LMIAs are not processed, valid to January 7, 2027 (includes Toronto) | In force |
| November 3, 2026 | Express Entry job offers will no longer need an LMIA, and job-offer points will apply only to high-wage occupations | Announced, takes effect November 3, 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I come to Canada as a visitor and then apply for a work permit?
Generally no. The policy that allowed visitors to apply from inside Canada ended on August 28, 2024. A visitor can apply inside Canada only if they fit one of IRCC's listed groups, for example as the spouse of a work or study permit holder.
Does a positive LMIA mean my work permit will be approved?
No. The LMIA shows the employer may hire a foreign worker. IRCC still decides whether you meet the job requirements, are admissible and meet the temporary-residence requirements.
My employer offered to pay the LMIA fee if I repay it. Is that allowed?
No. ESDC states that the LMIA processing fee cannot be paid by or recovered from the temporary foreign worker. The International Mobility Program compliance fee is likewise paid by the employer through the Employer Portal.
Can my spouse and children get work permits with me?
Only if they qualify on their own. Since January 21, 2025, spouses are eligible only in defined situations, and dependent children are eligible mainly when the principal worker is on an economic permanent residence pathway. Each person applies separately.
I am an Iranian citizen in Canada. Are there special work permit measures?
Only one: until March 31, 2027, eligible Iranian nationals in Canada with a valid work permit issued on or before February 28, 2025 may request one extension. IRCC states that no other temporary measures for Iranian applicants are in place, and holders of a visitor record, study permit or temporary resident permit cannot use this one. Regular fees apply.
Official sources
- IRCC: Work in Canada
- IRCC: Employer-specific work permits
- IRCC: Open work permits
- IRCC: Who can work without a work permit
- IRCC: Global Skills Strategy short-term work exemptions
- IRCC: Work permit requirements (outside Canada)
- IRCC: Forms and documents (outside Canada)
- IRCC: Who can apply from inside Canada
- IRCC: Who can apply at a port of entry
- CBSA: Ending flagpoling for work and study permits
- IRCC: End of the public policy for visitors applying for work permits in Canada
- IRCC: Medical exams for temporary residents
- IRCC: Find out if you need an LMIA
- IRCC: Who you can hire through the International Mobility Program
- ESDC: Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- ESDC: Wage thresholds for high-wage and low-wage positions
- ESDC: Refusal to process low-wage LMIAs
- ESDC: Hiring in Quebec
- IRCC: Work permit options for Quebec-selected workers
- IRCC: Work permit for PSTQ applicants in Quebec
- IRCC: Open work permits for family members of foreign workers
- IRCC: Fee list
- IRCC: How to extend your work permit
- IRCC: Working after you apply to extend
- IRCC: 90-day grace period for extensions awaiting an LMIA (August 21, 2026)
- IRCC: Changing jobs or employers
- IRCC: Restore your status as a worker
- IRCC: Travelling outside Canada as a worker
- IRCC: Temporary foreign worker rights
- IRCC: Employers who have been non-compliant
- IRCC: Measures for Iranian nationals
- IRCC: Express Entry changes
This page is general information about Canadian immigration law and policy as of the date above. It is not legal advice for your situation. Programs, forms and fees change often; check the official sources before you apply.