Arrive in Canada
Not outside Canada?
Find the right info if you applied from inside Canada or at a port of entry (POE).
Find out what you need to bring when you travel to Canada, what to expect when you arrive, and how to extend your work permit.
On this page
Documents you need at the border
Required documents
If we approve your application, you must bring these documents when you arrive in Canada:
- your passport
- Your passport must be valid for longer than the time you plan to be in Canada.
- your visitor visa (if you need a visitor visa to travel)
- valid immigration medical exam (IME) results (if you needed a medical exam)
- Your results must be valid the day you enter Canada.
Port of entry (POE) letter of introduction (LOI)
You must show proof that your work permit application was approved.
One way to do this is to show the border services officer your port of entry letter of introduction. You’ll get this letter if you:
- applied online, or
- gave us an email address in the work permit application form for communicating with you
You can print this letter or bring an electronic version with you.
Supporting documents
You should also bring supporting documents, such as:
- proof that you meet the requirements of the job, such as proof of work experience and education
- a copy of your employer’s positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA), if required
- You’ll also need a copy of your attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if you’ll work in Quebec.
- the offer of employment number your employer received when they submitted the offer of employment through the Employer Portal (if you’re LMIA-exempt)
Identity check at the border
We’ll check your identity to make sure that you’re the same person who was approved to work in Canada.
If you enter Canada at certain Canadian airports:
- Your fingerprints will be checked automatically at a primary inspection kiosk.
- The system will compare your fingerprints to the information you gave in your application.
If you enter Canada at a smaller airport or land port of entry (POE):
- If you’re sent to secondary inspection, a border services officer may collect and check your fingerprints to verify your identity.
Meet the border officer
When you arrive in Canada, you’ll meet an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Tell the border services officer that you have come here to work and show the documents you brought with you.
You must satisfy the officer that:
- you meet Canada’s entry requirements and
- you’ll leave Canada at the end of your approved stay
You must provide accurate and complete information to the border services officer. Providing false or incomplete information may lead to refusal of entry or removal from Canada.
The border services officer makes the final decision to issue you a work permit and allow you to enter Canada.
We’ll print your work permit
If the border services officer is satisfied that you’re admissible to Canada as a worker, they’ll print the actual work permit for you and you can enter Canada.
If you have questions or there’s a mistake on your work permit, ask the officer before you leave.