Work Visas in Canada
How to get a work permit and which routes actually exist
Most work in Canada requires a job-specific work permit, and most employer-sponsored permits require the employer to first prove no Canadian could do the job. The exceptions — intra-company transfers, treaty professionals, and post-graduation permits — are where most people actually get in.
| Main route | Temporary Foreign Worker Program (employer-tied, requires LMIA) source |
| Exempt route | International Mobility Program (no LMIA) source |
| Typical permit length | 1–3 years, tied to the job offer |
| Open permit | Post-Graduation Work Permit, up to 3 years after study source |
The two families of work permit
Every Canadian work permit falls into one of two families, and knowing which one applies to you decides everything about your timeline.
An employer-specific permit ties you to one employer, one job title, and often one location. Most of these require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): the employer advertises the role, documents that no Canadian or permanent resident was suitable, and pays a government fee for the assessment. It is slow and many employers refuse to do it.
An open permit lets you work for almost anyone. These are not granted on demand — they exist for specific situations: graduating from a Canadian institution, being the spouse of a skilled worker or student, or holding a bridging permit while a permanent residence application is processed.
Routes that skip the LMIA
- Intra-company transfer. If your employer has a Canadian branch and you have worked for them for at least a year in a managerial or specialised-knowledge role, you can transfer without an LMIA.
- CUSMA/USMCA professionals. US and Mexican citizens in listed professions can obtain a permit at the border with a job offer and proof of qualifications.
- Global Talent Stream. Designated tech and specialised occupations, processed in roughly two weeks where the employer qualifies.
- Significant benefit and francophone streams. Narrower, but real, particularly for French speakers moving outside Quebec.
- Working Holiday (IEC). Under 30 or 35, from a country with a youth mobility agreement — an open permit for one to two years and by far the easiest entry if you are young enough.
How a work permit turns into permanent residence
Canadian work experience is the highest-value asset in the points system. One year of skilled work inside Canada qualifies you for the Canadian Experience Class and adds substantial points to your Express Entry profile.
This is why the standard sequence is study, then work, then apply — rather than applying for permanent residence from abroad on day one. Arriving on any legal work permit and converting later is, for most applicants, a shorter path than waiting for an invitation from overseas.
What it costs
| Item | Approximate cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Work permit application | 155 |
| Open work permit holder fee | 100 |
| Biometrics | 85 per person |
| Employer's LMIA fee (employer pays) | 1,000 |
| Medical exam | 250–450 |
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Official sources
Checked against these pages in September 2026. Fees and processing times change without notice — confirm before you act.