Every type of Canadian work permit
explained in plain language
Two main categories, dozens of pathways. Whether your employer needs to get an LMIA, you're LMIA-exempt, you just graduated, or you're a spouse bridging to PR — this guide covers every work permit type available in Canada in 2026.
application fee
(incl. holder fee)
duration
occupations
employer requirement
Employer-Specific vs. Open Work Permits
Every Canadian work permit falls into one of two categories. The category determines your flexibility, your employer's obligations, and your pathway. Understanding the difference is the first step to choosing the right permit.
Employer-Specific Work Permits
Tied to one employer, one job, one location. You cannot change employers without a new work permit. Requires either an LMIA from your employer — or an LMIA exemption under the International Mobility Program.
- Who needs one: Most foreign workers hired by a specific Canadian employer — professionals, tradespeople, agricultural workers, caregivers, and more
- LMIA-based: Employer proves no qualified Canadian available; processed through ESDC; employer pays $1,000 LMIA fee
- LMIA-exempt (IMP): No labour market test needed; employer submits Offer of Employment online and pays $230 compliance fee; faster processing
- Changing jobs: Must apply for a new work permit if you want to change employers
Open Work Permits
Not tied to any employer. You can work for almost any employer in Canada, change jobs freely, and work in any location. No job offer required to apply in most cases — but you must qualify for a specific open WP category.
- Who qualifies: International graduates (PGWP), spouses of workers/students (SOWP), PR applicants (BOWP), vulnerable workers, IEC participants, and others
- No LMIA needed: Employers don't need to prove labour market needs; no compliance fee for many categories
- Restrictions: Cannot work for ineligible employers (sex workers, certain regulated industries without credentials). Permit must say "open".
- Pathway to PR: PGWP and BOWP are key bridges to permanent residence through Express Entry and PNPs
Start with a free assessment — our RCIC will identify your work permit pathway
Every work permit situation is different. LMIA vs. IMP, inland vs. outland, employer-specific vs. open — the right answer depends on your occupation, employer, immigration status, and goals. Get clarity before spending time and money on the wrong application.
Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) are issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to confirm that a Canadian employer cannot find a qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident for a position. Once the LMIA is approved, the foreign worker applies for the work permit.
The employer initiates the LMIA with ESDC. They pay the $1,000 CAD LMIA application fee (refundable if refused). Once ESDC issues a positive LMIA, the foreign worker uses it to apply for their work permit online with IRCC.
For workers earning at or above the provincial/territorial median hourly wage. Employer advertises the position, interviews Canadians, and then applies to ESDC for an LMIA. Higher scrutiny — but more positions and longer permit durations available.
For positions paying below the median wage. Generally TEER 4–5. Stricter employer requirements — cap of 10–20% of temporary workforce in most sectors, mandatory housing if required, return airfare obligations. Permit limited to 2 years.
Specialized LMIA streams for agricultural workers (Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program — SAWP) and caregivers. SAWP covers Mexican and Caribbean nationals under bilateral agreements. Caregiver LMIA has specific requirements around household care.
How the LMIA process works
Employer advertises the position
Must post on Canada Job Bank + at least 2 other relevant job boards for a minimum period. Ads must specify duties, salary, and qualifications. Must genuinely interview all qualified Canadian applicants.
Employer applies to ESDC for the LMIA
Submits recruitment evidence and application. Pays the $1,000 CAD LMIA fee (refunded only if refused). ESDC assesses whether hiring the foreign worker benefits or harms the Canadian labour market.
Positive LMIA issued to employer
The employer shares the LMIA letter and LMIA number with the foreign worker. The LMIA letter is required to apply for the work permit.
Foreign worker applies for work permit online
Applies to IRCC with job offer letter, LMIA number, passport, and other documents. Pays the work permit fee ($155 CAD). Must apply inland (if in Canada) or outland.
Work permit issued — begin employment
Work permit restricts you to the named employer, location, and occupation. You cannot change employers without a new LMIA and work permit. Employer must continue to comply with LMIA and IRCC requirements or face penalties.
Under the IMP, certain workers are exempt from LMIA requirements because hiring them creates a broader benefit to Canada — through trade agreements, intra-company mobility, Francophone community support, or significant economic benefit. The employer submits an Offer of Employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pays a $230 CAD compliance fee (no $1,000 LMIA fee). Processing is significantly faster.
IRCC updated exemption codes in early 2026. Intra-company transfers now use C61/C62/C63 (previously C12). Treaty ICTs use T-series codes. Reciprocal employment (C20) updated February 20, 2026 to include Canadian permanent residents. Always confirm the current code with your RCIC before submitting the Employer Portal offer.
Multinational companies can transfer executives, senior managers, or specialized knowledge workers to their Canadian office. Must have worked for the foreign entity for at least 1 year within the last 3 years. Clear corporate relationship (parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch) required.
French-speaking workers with a job offer outside Quebec can obtain a work permit without an LMIA. Canada's constitutional commitment to Francophone communities is the rationale. Growing in importance — Canada's 2026–2028 Francophone immigration target is 9–10.5% of all PR admissions.
C10: Individuals bringing exceptional economic, social, or cultural benefit to Canada (artists, researchers, senior executives). C11: Entrepreneurs or self-employed persons whose work creates significant Canadian benefit. IRCC tightened C11 evidentiary standards in February 2026 — generic claims no longer sufficient; specific measurable impact required.
For workers in cultural exchange programs, academic exchanges, or situations where equivalent opportunities exist for Canadians/PRs in the foreign worker's home country. February 2026 update: officers must now assess reciprocity for both Canadian citizens AND permanent residents.
Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op streams for eligible youth from 35+ partner countries. Working Holiday is an open work permit; Young Professionals and Co-op are employer-specific. Age limits vary by country (usually 18–35). Annual pools opened by Canada's allotment for each country.
Additional LMIA-exempt categories include: C14 (TV and film production workers), C50 (charitable and religious workers), provincial nominee work permit holders (before PR lands), researchers and scientists at specific institutions, and media workers covering Canadian events.
International Trade Agreement Work Permits
Canada's trade agreements provide LMIA-exempt pathways for citizens of partner countries. No employer compliance fee for most trade agreement categories.
Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, US and Mexican citizens in 60+ designated professions (engineers, accountants, scientists, lawyers, architects, computer analysts, management consultants, and more) can work in Canada without an LMIA. Intra-company transferees and traders/investors also covered. No employer compliance fee. Citizens may often present at the Port of Entry.
CETA covers EU citizens in intra-company transfers, contractual service suppliers, and independent professionals. CPTPP covers citizens of 11 Pacific nations (Australia, Japan, Chile, Vietnam, etc.). T-series codes vary by agreement and category. These pathways have expanded significantly since 2020 and are underutilized by many eligible workers.
Common IMP Exemption Codes (2026)
Codes updated 2026. Applying the wrong code is a leading reason for work permit refusals. Your RCIC selects and confirms the correct code before submission. Sources: IRCC Program Delivery Instructions, IRCC Employer Portal.
Open work permits let you work for almost any employer in Canada — change jobs, change cities, or change industries without applying for a new permit. But you must qualify under a specific category. Open work permits are not available on request; each type has strict eligibility criteria.
For international graduates of eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). One of the most valuable immigration tools — builds Canadian work experience for Express Entry (CEC), PNPs, and SOWP for your spouse.
- ✓ Must apply within 180 days of program completion
- ✓ Program must be ≥8 months at eligible DLI
- ✓ Language test required (since Nov 1, 2024): CLB 7 (degree) or CLB 5 (non-degree)
- ✓ Non-degree programs need eligible field of study (CIP code)
- ✓ One-time only — cannot be renewed or reissued
- ✓ Can work full-time while PGWP application processes
For spouses and common-law partners of certain workers or students in Canada. Major eligibility tightening effective January 21, 2025 — eligibility is now more restricted than before.
For workers in Canada whose current work permit is expiring while waiting for a PR decision on a qualifying economic application (Express Entry, most PNPs). Bridges the gap between temporary and permanent status.
- ✓ Must be physically in Canada — no outland BOWP
- ✓ Must have submitted PR application and received AOR
- ✓ Must have a valid work permit or maintained status
- ✓ PNP nominees with employer restrictions cannot get open BOWP
- ✓ Apply before your current permit expires for maintained status
For foreign workers currently on a closed work permit who are experiencing abuse from their employer. Canada allows these workers to leave their employer immediately and work for any other employer while their situation is resolved. Applications flagged for priority processing.
The Working Holiday category under International Experience Canada issues open work permits to eligible youth from 35+ partner countries. Valid for 1–2 years depending on country agreement. No job offer required. Apply through an IEC recognized organization when Canada opens the annual pool for your country.
Specific open work permit categories for refugee claimants (S61), persons under unenforceable removal orders (S62), destitute students (R206), PR applicants in Canada whose economic PR application has been acknowledged (R207/A70), and persons in urgent humanitarian situations (R208). Each has specific eligibility conditions.
PGWP Duration Guide — how long will your permit be valid?
PGWP validity is determined by the length and level of your study program. The permit is capped by your passport expiry — renew your passport before applying to avoid a shortened permit.
| Program type & length | PGWP duration | Language requirement | Field of study req.? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD (any length) | Up to 3 years | CLB 7 (degree graduates) | No — degree programs exempt |
| Master's program (any length, from Feb 15, 2024) | 3 years flat | CLB 7 | No — exempt |
| Non-degree program ≥2 years | Up to 3 years | CLB 5 | Yes — if study permit applied Nov 1, 2024+ |
| Non-degree program 8 months – 2 years | Matches program length | CLB 5 | Yes — if study permit applied Nov 1, 2024+ |
| Program under 8 months | Not eligible | N/A | N/A |
| Distance / online programs (started Sep 1, 2024+) | Not eligible | N/A | N/A |
| Public-private curriculum licensing (PPP) programs | Not eligible | N/A | N/A |
| Flight school graduates | Program length | Exempt from Nov 2024 language rule | No |
You can only ever receive one PGWP in your lifetime, regardless of how many programs you complete in Canada. Apply for the PGWP after completing your longest eligible program to maximize your permit duration. A refused PGWP, or applying for a shorter permit when a longer one was available, cannot be corrected after the fact.
Inland vs. Outland Work Permit Applications
Regardless of which work permit type you need, you'll apply either from inside Canada (inland) or from outside Canada (outland). The method affects your timeline, your ability to work while waiting, and which visa office processes your file.
Inland Application
Apply while you're in Canada with valid immigration status
Outland Application
Apply from abroad — or apply for a new permit while leaving Canada
If you apply for a new work permit (same employer conditions) before your current one expires, maintained status allows you to keep working under the same terms while your new application is processed. The moment your permit expires without having applied, you lose this protection. Always apply early and confirm with your RCIC that you qualify for maintained status.
Talk to our RCIC before your permit expires
Missing the window to apply for maintained status can leave you out of status and unable to work. Whether you need a BOWP, a new employer-specific permit, or an extension strategy — we can map the right path and prepare your application with time to spare.
Work Permit Fees at a Glance
These are the government fees paid to IRCC. Professional fees (RCIC / immigration consultant) are separate. Fees are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and subject to change — always verify on the IRCC fee page before submitting.
Permanent residence fees increased April 30, 2026. Work permit fees remain as above. CUSMA professionals presenting at a Port of Entry pay no employer compliance fee. Medical exams (Immigration Medical Exam / IME) are an additional cost if required — typically $150–$450 depending on the physician and province. Source: IRCC fee list, April 2026.
Why work permit applications benefit from RCIC guidance
Wrong exemption code = automatic refusal
Selecting the wrong IMP code (e.g., claiming C63 specialized knowledge when C62 manager applies) is one of the leading causes of LMIA-exempt work permit refusals. Your RCIC identifies and confirms the correct code before submission.
Status gaps cost jobs and future applications
Being out of status — even briefly — can affect your employment, your employer's compliance record, and future immigration applications. An RCIC maps your permit timeline and ensures applications are submitted before any status gap opens.
Rules change frequently — 2025 and 2026 were major years
SOWP eligibility tightened January 2025. PGWP added language requirement November 2024. IMP codes updated March 2026. C11 documentation tightened February 2026. Outdated advice — even from 6 months ago — can lead to a refusal.
PGWP is one lifetime — one wrong decision costs years
International graduates only get one PGWP ever. Applying at the wrong time, in the wrong program, or after missing the 180-day window means losing this critical bridge to PR permanently. Verification before application is essential.
Find your Canadian work permit
— with expert guidance
Whether you're an employer navigating LMIA vs. IMP, a graduate applying for PGWP, a spouse seeking SOWP, or a PR applicant needing BOWP — we'll identify the right work permit type, prepare a complete application, and protect your status throughout.
Harikrishnan Nair — RCIC R731549 · CICC Member · CAPIC Member · Litmus Immigration Services Inc. · Calgary, Alberta