This is not a legal document. The explanations and definitions are not legal definitions. In case of a discrepancy between the language in this document and the relevant legislation or regulations, the legal text in the legislation and regulations prevails.
For legal information, see the:
This information will help you complete the forms and guide you through the application process.
This application package has:
The instruction guide:
Read the instruction guide completely and then fill out each of the applicable forms.
The forms are designed with questions that will help the processing of your application.
This application guide will help you apply for a work permit from outside Canada.
Work is an activity for which wages are paid or commission is earned. An unpaid activity can also be “work” if it competes directly with activities of citizens or permanent residents in the Canadian labour market.
A work permit is a written authorization that is:
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) have requirements that allow us to protect your rights when you work in Canada by making sure that your employer respects the terms of their offer of employment.
For a work permit application, we will evaluate your employer on:
Employers who have not complied with past commitments to foreign workers may be banned from hiring any foreign workers for a specific length of time. The length of the ban is noted on the public list of employers who have been found non-compliant.
You must not work for an ineligible employer.
Note: If your employer is a mission, foreign government, international organization or a bridge or tunnel authority, they may be exempt from the Employer Compliance Regime.
An LMIA is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that gives the employer permission to hire a temporary worker.
ESDC will assess the employer’s LMIA application to determine what impact hiring a temporary foreign worker would have on Canada’s job market. ESDC will issue a positive or negative LMIA letter to the employer. Your employer should give you a copy of this letter to include with your application for a work permit.
The LMIA is usually given for a specific period of time and the work permit issued will match that period. If you want to renew your work permit beyond this period, you will likely need a new LMIA.
Note: LMIA-exempt work permits have different conditions that are reviewed by IRCC or CBSA.
If you do not need an LMIA to work in Canada, your employer must submit an offer of employment to us through the Employer Portal. Your employer must give you an Offer of Employment number and pay the Employer compliance fee before you start your work permit application. The Offer of Employment number starts with the letter “A” and is followed by seven numbers.
If your employer does not need to pay the employer compliance fee, they must upload proof of their fee exemption in the Employer Portal.
You need a work permit if you are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident and you want to work temporarily in Canada.
Depending on the nature of the activity, you may be exempt from a work permit. In most cases, you will need one to work legally in Canada.
Find out if you need a work permit.
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa (TRV), issued with a validity of…
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa (TRV), issued with a validity of…
If you applied for a new temporary resident visa, or a study or temporary work…
Today, I’m here to share some of the results of that ongoing work, and the…
To ensure the temporary residents we welcome to Canada can be supported adequately, the Honourable…
Upload a file The form could not be submitted because errors were found. Error: We…