Guide 5487: Applying for a Work Permit outside Canada

When should I apply?

You should apply as soon as you have:

• a written job offer or employment contract and
• your LMIA decision letter that your employer received from ESDC.

If you do not need an LMIA, you may apply when you get your Offer of employment number from the employer.

Am I eligible?

You must show the officer that you are eligible under Canada’s Immigration law and that you will be in Canada for a temporary stay. You must:

• satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your employment;
• be law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity (you may be asked to give us a Police Clearance Certificate);
• not be a danger to the security of Canada;
• be in good health and complete a medical exam, if needed;
• not intend to engage in employment with an employer on the List of Ineligible Employers;
• not plan to work with an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; and
• provide any other documents the officer needs to establish your admissibility.

Are there any conditions on my work permit?

An officer may impose, change or cancel conditions when issuing a work permit. These may include any of the following:

• the type of employment;
• the employer you can work for;
• where you can work;
• how long you can continue to work; and
• the times or periods of work.

Do I need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?

If you want to work in Canada, you may need a TRV or an eTA.

A TRV is an official document issued by an officer that is placed in your passport to show that you meet the general requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident. An eTA is a paperless document that is electronically linked to your passport. It also shows that you are eligible to enter Canada as a temporary resident.

If you need a TRV or an eTA, you do not have to fill out a separate application or pay more fees. It will be issued by the officer at the same time as the documents you need for your entry to Canada as a worker.

Find out if you need a TRV or an eTA.

If you graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and are applying for a post-graduation work permit from outside Canada, you must indicate this on your Application form for a work permit made from outside Canada (IMM 1295):

In the section “Details of intended work in Canada”:

• Question 1: Choose “Open Work Permit”
• Question 2a (Name of employer): Write “Post Graduate Work Permit”

You have up to 180 days after you receive confirmation from your school that you have completed your study program to apply for a work permit. This confirmation could be a degree, diploma, transcript or official letter from your school.

Make sure you submit proof that you have completed all the requirements of your program of study (final transcript and a letter from the institution or formal notice of graduation).