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If you are a foreign national who wants to work in Canada, you may need to obtain a work permit. A work permit is a legal document that allows a foreign national to work in Canada for a specific period. There are different types of work permits available in Canada, each with its own set of requirements.

Types of Work Permits in Canada:

Employer-specific Work Permit: This type of work permit is tied to a specific job offer and employer in Canada. To obtain this permit, your employer must provide you with a job offer letter, and in most cases, a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) must be obtained by your employer.
Open Work Permit: An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, with some exceptions. This type of permit is not tied to a specific job offer or employer.
- Ex. Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
- Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
- International Experience Canada (IEC)
- Spouse Accompanying International Student or Worker
International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permit: This type of work permit is for young people aged 18-35 from countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada. This permit allows the holder to work in Canada for up to two years. The IEC program has three categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op.
Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit: This type of work permit is for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred to a Canadian branch or subsidiary of their company. The employee must have worked for the company for at least one year before being transferred to Canada.
NAFTA Work Permit: This type of work permit is for citizens of the United States and Mexico who are coming to Canada to work in certain professions, such as business, science, and technology. The NAFTA work permit is issued under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Global Talent Stream Work Permit: This type of work permit is for highly skilled foreign workers who have been identified by a designated employer in Canada. The Global Talent Stream allows employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills and experience in certain occupations.
Agricultural Worker Program Work Permit: This type of work permit is for foreign workers who are coming to Canada to work in the agricultural sector. This program is designed to address labour shortages in the agricultural industry and to provide Canadian farmers with access to foreign workers with specific skills and experience.

To apply for a work permit in Canada, you must meet the following requirements:

Job offer from a Canadian employer

If you want to apply for an employer-specific work permit, you must have a job offer from a Canadian employer. The employer must provide you with a job offer letter that includes details such as job title, salary, and working conditions.
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
If you are applying for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must obtain a positive LMIA from the Canadian government. An LMIA confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian workers are available to do the job.
Work permits that require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
- Global Talent Stream
Work permits that are LMIA-Exempt but require a job offer or employment contract
- International Mobility Program (IMP)
- NAFTA Work Permits
- CETA Work Permits
- Intra-Company Transfers
- Educational qualifications
Language skills
You may need to provide proof of your language skills in English or French, depending on the requirements of your job.
Educational qualifications
You may need to provide proof of your educational qualifications, depending on the type of work you will be doing in Canada.
Work experience
You may need to demonstrate that you have the necessary work experience and skills to perform the job duties required for the position you are applying for.
Medical exam
You may need to undergo a medical exam to ensure that you are in good health and do not pose a risk to public health in Canada.
Criminal record check
You may need to provide a police certificate or criminal record check from your home country to demonstrate that you do not have a criminal record.
Application fee
You must pay the required application fee when submitting your work permit application.

Not everyone is required to have a work permit in Canada.

Here are some examples of individuals who may be able to work in Canada without a work permit:

Business visitors engaging in international business activities in Canada,
Foreign representatives accredited by the Canadian government,
Military personnel,
Foreign athletes and coaches participating in sports events,
Performing artists in certain circumstances,
News reporters and media crews,
Civil aviation inspectors,
Foreign nationals working for foreign companies on contracts with Canadian companies,
Foreign nationals providing emergency services,
Foreign healthcare students participating in clinical clerkships or short-term practicums,
Clergy and religious workers,
Judges, referees, and similar officials for international competitions or events,
Examiners and evaluators giving exams or tests for professional qualifications,
Expert witnesses or investigators working on a specific legal case,
Foreign repair personnel coming to Canada to repair specialized equipment,
On-campus employment for international students,
Full-time international students working off campus.
Crew members working on foreign-owned and registered vehicles in
international transportation,