Apply for your work permit
To apply online you’ll need
- a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
- a valid credit or debit card for payment
Get your documents ready
Before you apply, prepare these documents:
- proof you (and all team members, if you have any) submitted your application for permanent residence, such as a
- letter of acknowledgment from us
- courier receipt for the application package you mailed to us and proof of you paid your fees
- confirmation you submitted your application online and proof you paid your fees
- your letter of support from a designated entity
- proof you have enough money to support yourself and your family
- your offer of employment number
- You can find it in the Employer Portal under Employment queue after you submit your offer of employment online.
- If you applied by email, use your completed IMM 5802 and payment receipt for the employer compliance fee instead.
- proof you have the investment funds available to transfer to Canada, which are separate from your support funds
- your medical examination results, if needed
- a valid police certificate, if needed
Documents we recommend you include
- your business plan
- Make sure it shows what you’ve done to start business operations after you got your commitment certificate.
- a detailed staffing plan
- proof of your exploratory research
- This could include details of supplier discussions, site selection, an exploratory visit and meetings.
- your résumé
- documents highlighting your transferable skills
- This is proof you can do the work you indicated in the offer of employment.
Apply for your work permit
You must apply online for a work permit. Answer the following question to get your specific instructions.
Apply for a work permit from outside Canada
Get your document checklist
Before you apply, make sure you’re eligible for a work permit (opens in a new tab)
Answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What would you like to do in Canada? | Work |
| How long are you planning to stay in Canada? | Temporarily - more than 6 months |
| Do you have a written offer from an employer in Canada? | Yes |
| What is the status of your job offer? | Temporary – at least one year |
| Do you plan to work in one of the following categories? | No |
Answer the remaining questions according to your personal situation.
Your results should say Foreign Worker - International Mobility Program. It will also tell you if you need a visitor visa or an eTA.
Click Continue to answer a few more questions. Answer the following questions exactly as shown:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you have a valid work permit or study permit, and need a visa to return to Canada? | No |
| What type of work permit do you want to apply for? | A work permit with a Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption. |
| There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt? | Yes, I will be paying my application fees. |
Answer all other questions according to your personal situation. If you need help, click on the question mark icon for more information.
Once you finish, you can review your answers and change them if needed.
When you’re ready, click Continue to get your personal document checklist. This page gives you step-by-step instructions on how to submit your application online. It will also list the
- required application forms
- supporting documents
- fees
Complete your application online
Read the instruction guide before you complete your application.
Make sure you fill out all forms in the document checklist (PDF, 1,072 KB).
How to fill out the IMM 1295 form
Under Details of Intended Work in Canada, fill in the information as follows:
- Question 1a: What type of work permit are you applying for?
- If you submitted an offer of employment in the Employer Portal, answer: Exemption from labour market impact assessment.
- If we authorized you to use the IMM 5802 form, answer: start-up business class.
- Question 2a: Name of Employer
- Answer: Enter the name of the new business (if known) or your own name.
- Question 4: My occupation in Canada will be:
- Job title: start-up visa entrepreneur
- Brief description of duties: Enter the work that is essential and urgent for your business.
- Question 6: Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) No. or Offer of Employment (LMIA Exempt) No.
- If you submitted an offer of employment in the Employer Portal: enter the "A" number found under Employment queue in the Employer Portal.
- If we authorized you to use the IMM 5802 form: this field will be greyed out. Leave this blank.
Submit your application online
Before your submit it, review your application to make sure you
- completed all the forms
- uploaded any supporting documents
- paid your fees
Click Submit once you’re finished to submit your application in the portal.
Apply for a work permit from inside Canada
Get your document checklist
Before you apply, make sure you’re eligible to apply for a work permit from inside Canada (opens in a new tab) .
Answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What would you like to do in Canada? | Work |
| How long are you planning to stay in Canada? | Temporarily - more than 6 months |
| What is your current country/territory of residence? | Canada |
| What is your current immigration status in Canada? | Visitor |
| Are you applying under the Canada-USA-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) or under a public policy related to work permits as announced by IRCC for an employer-specific work permit? | Yes |
| I have a job offer and my employer gave me an offer of employment number or LMIA number (or proof that your employer applied for an LMIA). | Yes |
Answer the remaining questions according to your personal situation.
Your results should state “Work Permit (in Canada).”
Click “Continue” to answer a few more questions. Answer the following questions exactly as shown.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you have a valid work permit or study permit, and need a visa to return to Canada? | No |
| What type of work permit do you want to apply for? | A work permit with a Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption. |
| There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt? | Yes, I will be paying my application fees. |
Answer all other questions according to your personal situation. If you need help, click on the question mark icon for more information.
Once you finish, you can review your answers and change them if needed.
When you’re ready, click Continue to get to your personal document checklist. This page gives you step-by-step instructions on how to submit your application online. It will also list the
- required application forms
- supporting documents
- fees
Complete your application online
Read the instruction guide before you complete your application.
Once you get your document checklist, fill out the application form and gather your supporting documents. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
How to fill out form IMM 5710
You must complete the Application to change conditions, extend your stay or remain in Canada as a worker.
Under Details of Intended Work in Canada, fill in the information as follows:
- Question 1a: What type of work permit are you applying for?
- Answer: Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment
- Question 2a: Name of Employer
- Answer: Enter the name of the new business (if known) or your own name
- Question 4: My occupation in Canada will be:
- Job title: Start-up Visa Entrepreneur
- Brief description of duties: Enter the work that is essential and urgent for your business.
- Question 6: Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) No. or Offer of Employment (LMIA Exempt) No.
- If you submitted an offer of employment in the Employer Portal answer: enter the number found under Employment queue in the Employer Portal.
- If we authorized you to use the IMM 5802 form: this field will be greyed out. Leave this blank.
Submit your application online
Before you submit it, review your application to make sure you
- completed all the forms
- uploaded any supporting documents
- paid your fees
Click Submit once you’re ready to submit your application in the portal.
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