Check if you can apply

Not inside Canada?

Check if you can apply from outside Canada or at a port of entry (POE).

You may be eligible to apply for a work permit from inside Canada if you meet certain requirements.

General requirements

To apply for a work permit from inside Canada, you must first meet the general requirements:

show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home
- The amount of money you need can depend on:
  - your family size,
  - the community you plan to settle in and
  - the work permit program you apply for
- To help you estimate the minimum amount you should bring, check the low income cut-offs
  - These amounts are provided as general reference only (2023 data).
include all the required documents in your application
- go to list of forms and documents

Reasons your application may be refused

Your application may be refused if you:

are medically inadmissible
have a record of criminal activity (we may ask for a police certificate)
are a danger to Canada’s security
have misrepresented information on your application
plan to work for:
- an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions
- an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages
are inadmissible for any other reasons

Your application could also be refused for reasons other than those listed above.

Most people can't apply for a work permit from inside Canada. You can only apply if one of these situations applies to you:

You have a valid work or study permit.
Your spouse or common-law partner, or parents have a valid work permit.
You or your spouse or common-law partner, or parents have a valid study permit.
You’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid.
You or your family members are in Canada and waiting on a decision on an application for permanent residence in these categories:
- spouse and common-law partner in Canada class or overseas family class
- temporary resident permit holder class
You’ve been recognized as a Convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
You’ve been legally working in Canada without a work permit, but you now need a work permit for a different job.
- This does not include business visitors
You made a claim for refugee protection.
You or your spouse, common-law partner or parent have a temporary resident permit (TRP) that is valid for 6 months or more.
You’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
You’re a Quebec skilled worker who applied for the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés.

Depending on the work permit program you apply for, there could be:

There are 2 types of work permits:

Each work permit type has different eligibility requirements. You can’t choose which type of work permit you need.

Most people are eligible to apply for this. A job offer is required

You can only apply for an open work permit if you’re eligible. No job offer is required

Your spouse, common-law partner and dependent children may be able to visit, study or work in Canada with you.

Check if your family member:

2026-03-31