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Not applying at a POE?
Check if you can apply from outside Canada or at a inside Canada.
You may be eligible to apply for a work permit at a port of entry (POE) if you meet certain requirements.
On this page
General requirements
To apply for a work permit at a POE, 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).
- The amount of money you need can depend on:
- 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
Your application could also be refused for reasons other than those listed above.
Requirements to apply at a POE
You should apply for your work permit before you travel to Canada. However you and any accompanying family members can apply when you enter Canada if you’re eligible.
To apply at a POE, you and your accompanying family members, must meet all of the following:
- be from a visa-exempt country or be a visa-exempt traveller (for example, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.)
- meet other requirements depending on the type of work permit you’re applying for
- Employer-specific work permits: your employer must have received a positive LMIA (LMIA-required jobs) or offer of employment number (LMIA-exempt jobs)
- Open work permits: you must be eligible to apply for an open work permit
Who can’t apply at a POE
You cannot apply at a POE if you:
- need a visitor visa
- are a citizen of one of these visa-required countries
- are an International Experience Canada (IEC) applicant who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- are applying under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
- are applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
- leave Canada and re-enter from the U.S. or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to access immigration services on your return unless you meet certain conditions
Requirements based on types of work permits
There are 2 types of work permits:
- employer-specific work permits
- open work permits
Each work permit type has different eligibility requirements. You can’t choose which type of work permit you need.
Open work permit
These work permits are only for people in specific situations. You don’t need a job offer.