Canada Work Permits

Many international workers seek opportunities to work in Canada because of its diverse economy, safe environment, high wages, and the potential to embark upon a pathway to permanent residency.

Types of Work Permit

There are two main types of available work permit in Canada: employer-specific work permits and open work permits.

Employer-Specific work permit

An employer-specific work permit allows you to 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 you are granted this type of work permit, you can only work for the employer specified in your permit and for a specific allowed period of time. In case you are abused at work and want to quit your job, you may be eligible to apply for an open work permit in order to do so and take up a position at a different employer in Canada.

To apply for an employer-specific work permit, you must first already have a job offer from an employer in Canada. Before you can make an application, your employer must give you either a copy of a Labour Market Impact Assessment or an offer of employment number. Which of these you will need depends on your occupation.

Open work permit

An open work permit usually allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for one that:

• has been placed on a list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions (and is therefore ineligible to sponsor work permits); or
• regularly offers adult entertainment or services

You can apply for an open work permit in the following circumstances:

• You are an international student who has graduated in Canada from a designated learning institution and is eligible to apply under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
• You are a student and are unable to pay for your studies
• You currently hold an employer-specific work permit but are being abused in your current job in Canada (or are at risk of being abused)
• You are the dependent of a family member who has applied for permanent residence in Canada
• You are the spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a low- or high-skilled worker living and working in Canada
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of an international student undertaking their studies in Canada
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of someone who has applied for the Atlantic Immigration Program
• You or a family member are a refugee, refugee claimant or protected person
• You are currently under a removal order which is unenforceable
• You currently hold a temporary resident permit
• You are currently in Canada and are being sponsored by your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or accompanying dependent child
• You are an investor who has received a Quebec Notice of Intent to Select

Open work permits can sometimes still have limited restrictions, most commonly:

• on the type of job you can take up
• the locations in which you are permitted to work (for example, in a specific province under the Provincial Nominee Program)