Work Permits

Work Permit

There are 2 types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.

Open work permits

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
International Experience Canada (IEC) (working holiday visa)
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Souse Accompanying International Student or Worker

Employer-specific work permits

LMIA work permit
International Mobility Program (IMP)
NAFTA Work Permits
CETA Work Permits
Intra-Company Transfers

Who can apply for an open work permit?

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you

are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence
are the spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a low- or high-skilled worker
are the spouse or common-law partner of an international student
are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program
are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member
are a temporary resident permit holder
are a young worker participating in special programs
are in Canada and being sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or accompanying dependent child

In each of these situations, you must meet additional criteria to be eligible.

Employer-specific work permit

An employer-specific work permit allows you to work according to the conditions on your work permit, which include:

the name of the employer you can work for
how long you can work
the location where you can work (if applicable)

How to get an employer-specific work permit?

An employer-specific work permit, also known as a closed work permit, allows you to work for a specific employer in Canada. To qualify for an employer-specific work permit, you first need a job offer from a Canadian employer.

Unlike an open work permit, an employer-specific work permit specifies the conditions of your employment in Canada, including, the name of the employer you can work for, the job location, and more. This means you cannot switch jobs while on an employer-specific work permit.