Though there are several exceptions, most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada.
There are 2 types of work permits.
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)
- a copy of your employment contract
- 1 of the following:
— a copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
— an offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt workers). To get this number, your employer must use the Employer Portal.
If your employer does not need to use the Employer Portal to submit an offer of employment, they must give you a copy of the employment contract.
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. You may be eligible for an open work permit if you:
- are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
- are a student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of your studies (destitute student)
- have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada
- applied for permanent residence in Canada
- are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence
- are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student
- are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member
- are under an unenforceable removal order
- are a temporary resident permit holder
- are a young worker participating in special programs
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. Bringing your family to Canada with you
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. You can also benefit from the Global Skills Strategy’s two-week application processing.
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 a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
- 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 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
Post Graduation Work Permit
You may be eligible for POST GRADUATION WORK PERMIT if you are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
How much of your online studies count toward a PGWP?
Studies outside Canada
You can complete up to 100% of your studies online from outside Canada.
All of the time you spent studying online at a PGWP-eligible DLI from outside Canada between spring 2020 and August 31, 2022, counts toward the length of a PGWP. This applies even if you’re completing 2 study programs.
If you’re completing 2 study programs, you can finish 100% of your studies online if the programs were ongoing or started between March 2020 and summer 2022, and
- both study programs are with a PGWP-eligible DLI and are completed within 2 years, and
- each program meets all PGWP eligibility requirements and is at least 8 months long
The following time won’t count toward the length of a PGWP:
- time spent studying outside Canada after August 31, 2022
- time spent studying before you applied for a study permit
If your courses were moved online due to the pandemic, the time you spend studying online from within Canada still counts toward the length of your PGWP. However, it’s highly recommended that you attend in-class options when offered.
How long your PGWP is valid for depends on the length of your study program.
If your passport expires before your PGWP
Make sure your passport is valid for the entire length of time you should be eligible for. If your passport expires earlier
- we’ll only issue you a PGWP that’s valid until your passport expires
- we’ll tell you if you need to extend it to get the full validity
You can only extend a PGWP if we tell you to. If this happens, you have to apply on paper to extend your PGWP so that it’ll be valid for the full length it should be.
If your PGWP has expired or will expire soon
You may be eligible for an open work permit of up to 18 months under a new public policy.
Bridging Open Work Permit
A bridging open work permit (BOWP) lets you keep working while you wait for the results of your permanent residence application.
You may be eligible if you applied to one of the permanent residence programs below.
- Permanent residence using Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec skilled workers
- Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot
- Caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class
- Agri-Food Pilot