Every main type of work permit, who qualifies and what it costs in 2026.
Most foreign workers in Canada hold either an employer-specific permit tied to one job or an open permit that lets them work for almost any employer. The right permit depends on your job offer, studies, family and plans for permanent residence. Find the permits that fit you and let our RCIC prepare your application.
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Your permit either names one employer, job and location, or lets you work for almost any employer in Canada.
Tied to one employer, job and location. Changing jobs usually means a new permit.
Work for almost any employer in Canada, with no job offer needed to apply.
Apply to extend before your permit expires and you can usually keep working under the same conditions while you wait.
Each permit has its own rules. These are the main conditions; we confirm the details for your situation.
| Permit | Type | Who it is for | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| LMIA work permit | Employer-specific | Workers hired when no Canadian is available | Employer gets a positive LMIA first |
| Intra-company transfer | Employer-specific | Executives, managers and specialists of a foreign company | 1 year of full-time work for the company in the last 3 years |
| CUSMA professional | Employer-specific | US and Mexican citizens in listed professions | Qualifying job offer and credentials |
| C11 business owner | Employer-specific | Owners running their own business temporarily | 51% ownership; usually up to 18 months |
| Provincial entrepreneur | Employer-specific | Candidates in a provincial business stream | Support letter from the province |
| PGWP | Open | Graduates of eligible Canadian programs | Apply within 180 days; language and field rules |
| Spouse open work permit | Open | Spouses of eligible workers and students | Depends on the principal's job or program |
| Bridging open work permit | Open | Workers waiting for permanent residence | PR application in an eligible program |
| International Experience Canada | Open or employer-specific | Young people from partner countries | Age limit and quota depend on the country |
Work on a C11 business-owner permit does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class. If you plan to stay permanently, choose the permit with your PR pathway in mind.
The PGWP is the most common open work permit and the usual route to Canadian work experience for permanent residence.
| Your program | Language minimum | Field of study rule |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree | CLB 7 | None |
| Other university programs | CLB 7 | Eligible field required* |
| College, polytechnic and other programs | CLB 5 | Eligible field required* |
*For study permit applications made on or after November 1, 2024. IRCC says it will not add or remove eligible fields of study in 2026.
A PGWP is issued once. Plan its length around the Canadian work experience you need for Express Entry or a provincial stream.
Since January 21, 2025, spouse permits depend on the principal's job or study program, and dependent children no longer qualify under the skilled-worker measure.
| Principal's job | Spouse eligible? |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | Yes, if the principal's permit has 16+ months left |
| TEER 2 or 3 | Only for listed occupations, with 16+ months left |
| TEER 4 or 5 | Only under PR-pathway measures, with 6+ months left |
| Applied for economic PR | Yes, under the PR applicant measure |
Spouses of college diploma or bachelor's students in other fields generally no longer qualify.
We review your job offer, studies and family situation and plan the permit that keeps you working and moving toward permanent residence.
IRCC fee list, modified September 21, 2026. Fees are per person unless noted.
Answer a few questions to see which work permits may fit you. Results update as you answer.
This tool points to permits worth exploring; it does not check every requirement. Eligibility depends on IRCC and ESDC rules for each category, and IRCC decides every application. Litmus Immigration Services Inc. · RCIC R731549 · CICC and CAPIC member.
Many people qualify for more than one permit. We choose the one that keeps you working and counts toward permanent residence.
We track your expiry dates, file extensions on time and use maintained status or bridging permits so you can keep working.
Spouse permits now depend on your job or program. We check eligibility for your family and file their applications with yours.
We confirm which permits you qualify for, prepare your application and plan your status so you can keep working while you move toward permanent residence.
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Harikrishnan Nair, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. Verify on the CICC register
