Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. 

 

Get the right work permit for your situation

There are 2 types of work permits.

 

Employer-specific work permit

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as

• the name of the specific employer you can work for

• how long you can work

• the location where you can work (if applicable)

Before you submit your application for an employer-specific work permit, the employer who wants to hire you must complete certain steps and give you either a copy of a Labour Market Impact Assessment or an offer of employment number to include in your application.

Open work permit

An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada, except for one that

• is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or

• regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages

You can only get an open work permit in specific situations.

Not sure which one you should get? Find out what type of work permit you need for your situation.

If you want to bring your family with you

Your spouse or common-law partner  and dependent children may be able to work, study or live with you while you work in Canada.

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Eligibility requirements for all applicants

There are specific requirements you need to meet depending on where you are when you apply for your work permit.

But regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, you must

• prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires;

• show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home;

• obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate);

• not be a danger to Canada’s security;

• be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed;

• not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions;

• not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; and

• give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

 

Eligibility requirements if you apply from outside Canada

Anyone can apply before they enter Canada. However, there may be visa office requirements that you need to meet depending on what country or territory you’re applying from. Make sure you follow the instructions for how to apply.

Find out if you can benefit from the Global Skills Strategy’s two-week application processing.

 

Eligibility requirements if you apply from inside Canada

You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if

• you have a valid study or work permit;

• your spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study or work permit;

• you’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid;

• you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more;

• you’re waiting on a decision on an application for permanent residence from inside Canada;

• you made a claim for refugee protection;

• you’ve been recognized as a convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada;

• you’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but you need a work permit to work in a different job (this does not apply to business visitors); or

• you’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

 

Eligibility requirements if you apply when you enter Canada at a port of entry

You should apply for your work permit before you travel to Canada.

However, you can apply for a work permit when you enter Canada if you’re eligible.

To apply at a port of entry (POE), you must meet all of the following:

• be eligible for an electronic travel authorization or to travel without a visitor visa (find out if you need a visa)

• be eligible to enter Canada while COVID-19 travel restrictions are in place

• meet other requirements depending on the type of work permit you’re applying for (see below)