Employer-specific work permits

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

To be eligible for an employer-specific work permit, you need to meet certain requirements. Also, your Canadian employer needs to take steps before you can apply.

What is an employer-specific work permit

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada under the conditions of the permit until the expiry date. The details are listed on your permit under the following sections:

Additional Information – includes the employer, location and occupation
Conditions – consists of a numbered list of requirements you need to meet
Remarks – may contain additional clarifications or conditions that you may need to meet

See an example of a work permit.

You must comply with all the information listed on your work permit.

Popular employer-specific work permits

What you need to apply

To apply for an employer-specific work permit, you need

to have a job offer from an employer who’s not on the list of non-compliant employers
to meet the general requirements for all work permit applicants

Some people don’t need a work permit to work in Canada. If you need a work permit and don’t yet have one, you can’t

legally work in Canada or
write on a job application that you’re legally allowed to work in Canada

Don’t have a job offer?

Search jobs for temporary foreign workers on the Job Bank.

Ask your employer about a labour market impact assessment

A labour market impact assessment (LMIA) is a document that proves there’s a need to hire a foreign worker to fill the job. Most jobs need an LMIA.

Before you apply for a work permit, your employer needs to

find out if they need an LMIA for your job or if it’s LMIA-exempt
apply for an LMIA (if needed)
give you documents, like an LMIA letter and Annex A from their positive LMIA, which you’ll need to include in your application