Work Visa
Canada is a prime destination for many foreign nationals seeking employment opportunities. The country has a strong and diverse economy, high workplace safety standards, competitive salaries, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. Additionally, working in Canada is an excellent first step for those who wish to become permanent residents.
To work in Canada, it is necessary to obtain the proper authorization, as working without it can have serious consequences for future immigration applications. The text below outlines some options for immigrating to Canada as a temporary or permanent worker.
Benefits of Working in Canada
In addition to high workplace safety standards and compliance with labor laws, Canadian salaries are competitive, and companies are legally required to provide equal pay for foreign and Canadian workers.
Some Canadian work permits allow spouses to obtain an open work permit and school-age accompanying children to attend public schools. Another significant benefit for those interested in immigrating to Canada permanently is that gaining Canadian work experience can increase a foreign national’s eligibility for various Canadian permanent residence programs. The following programs assign value, to varying degrees, to Canadian work experience:
Express Entry
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Quebec Immigration Programs
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Types of Canadian Work Visas
There are many different options for obtaining a work permit in Canada. Some work permits require a job offer from a Canadian employer, some require the employer to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while others require the individual to have some type of connection to Canada (previous education, spousal sponsorship, etc.).
See the categories below to determine the work permit that best suits your qualifications:
Categories Requiring an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
LMIA-Exempt but Requires a Job Offer or Employment Contract
International Mobility Program (IMP)
LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
NAFTA Work Permits
CETA Work Permits
Intra-Company Transfers
Open Work Permit – No Job Offer or LMIA Required
International Mobility Program (IMP)
LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
NAFTA Work Permits
CETA Work Permits
Intra-Company Transfers
Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
International Experience Canada (IEC)
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Spouse Accompanying International Student
Tip: Permanent residents (PR) do not need a work permit. They have virtually the same rights and benefits as a Canadian citizen.
How to Obtain a Canadian Work Visa
The process for obtaining a Canadian work visa varies greatly depending on the type of work permit being applied for. For example, an international student in Canada may automatically receive authorization to work up to 20 hours per week as part of their study permit.
Most applications for a closed (or restricted) work permit require that a foreign national have an official job offer from a Canadian employer, supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even those who are LMIA-exempt or exempt from requiring a work permit must be aware of the specific documentation they need to prepare to ensure entry into Canada. There are two general pathways for obtaining a Canadian work permit: a closed work permit and an open work permit.
Closed work permits are tied to specific employers, meaning that a foreign national issued a closed work permit must continue working for the same employer at the same location unless their work permit is modified.
