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Work permit: How to apply

From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

How to apply

Due to COVID-19, most applicants now need to apply online for a work permit. Answer a few questions to find out how to apply.

COVID-19: Changes to biometrics requirement for in-Canada temporary residence applicants

As a temporary measure, if you’re in Canada and applying to work, study or stay temporarily in Canada, you do not need to give your biometrics. Learn more about the exemption.

Biometrics and the application process

Image that represents the different stages of the application process and biometrics.

We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.

1. Apply for your visitor visa, study permit or work permit

If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.

Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.

2. Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you probably need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years to make repeat trips to Canada easier.

You must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays.

Find out who needs to give, how to give, and where to give your biometrics.

3. We process your application

After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.

If we need more information from you, we’ll contact you.

4. We make a decision on your application

When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you’re approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.

If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.

5. You travel to Canada (if you’re approved)

Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes travel documents like a visitor visa, study or work permits or an eTA (electronically linked to your passport).

Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.

Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.

6. We check your identity when you arrive in Canada

When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.

If we can’t verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.

If the officer determines that you’re not admissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you’ll have to take a return flight to where you came from.

7. You’re allowed to enter Canada

If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.

Basic entry requirements

You must meet some basic requirements to enter Canada. You must:

  • have a valid travel document, like a passport
  • be in good health
  • have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
  • convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
  • convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
  • have enough money for your stay
    • The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.

Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:

  • criminal activity
  • human rights violations
  • organized crime

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.

Find out more about inadmissibility.

Biometrics fee

  • Individual applicant: CAD $85
  • Families applying at the same time: maximum total fee of CAD $170
  • Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of $CAD 255

Outside Canada

To get the forms you need, tell us how you’re applying and where you’re applying from.

Get the application to work in Canada

Apply online from inside Canada

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need

To apply online, you’ll need:

  • a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and
  • a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application.

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

  1. Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
  2. Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Step 3: Prepare your answers for the online tool

Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.

Step 4: Know the fees you have to pay

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application

We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.

Fees for open work permits

If you’re applying for an open work permit, make sure you pay all applicable fees:

  • work permit fee ($155)
  • open work permit holder fee ($100)

COVID-19: Changes to biometrics requirement for in-Canada temporary residence applicants

As a temporary measure, if you’re in Canada and applying to work, study or stay temporarily in Canada, you do not need to give your biometrics. Learn more about the exemption.

Step 5: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:

  • pay your fees
  • submit your application
  • check your status
Create an account or sign in

If you can’t apply online

You can submit a paper application if either:

  • you can’t apply online because of a disability
  • there’s a problem with the online application

What to do if you can’t apply online

Inside Canada – Not eligible

Apply online under a public policy

Normally, visitors can’t apply for work permits from inside Canada. Due to COVID-19, visitors can now apply online for an employer-specific work permit by following the steps below.

Who’s eligible

You must

  • have been physically present in Canada on August 24, 2020
    • if you left Canada and returned after August 24, you can’t apply this way
  • be a visitor with valid status when you apply for the work permit

If you held a work permit in the last 12 months

You may be able to work while we process your application. Find out how.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need

To apply online, you’ll need

  • a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
  • a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

You should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application.

Step 3: Know the fees you have to pay

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.

COVID-19: Changes to biometrics requirement for in-Canada temporary residence applicants

As a temporary measure, if you’re in Canada and applying to work, study or stay temporarily in Canada, you do not need to give your biometrics. Learn more about the exemption.

Step 4: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to

  • pay your fees
  • submit your application forms
  • check your status

How to start your application

Once you sign in to your account, you’ll need to

  • go to the “Start your application” section on the account welcome page
  • click “Apply to come to Canada”
  • on the next page, scroll down to the “I do not have a personal reference code” section
  • click on the “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” button

Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions. Make sure you answer these questions correctly:

  • You would like to work temporarily
    • Either less than or more than 6 months
  • Your current immigration status is as a visitor
  • When asked “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?”, answer “yes”

We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.

Create an account or sign in

If you can’t apply online

You can submit a paper application if either

  • you can’t apply online because of a disability
  • there’s a problem with the online application

What to do if you can’t apply online

Port of entry – Visa required

You can’t apply for a work permit at a port of entry. You need to follow the instructions for applying for a work permit from outside Canada.

Apply for a work permit from outside Canada

Port of entry – Visa not required

How to apply at a port of entry

Port of entry – I don’t know if I need a visa

If you’re not sure, you can answer a few questions to find out if you need a visitor visa or an eTA to travel to Canada.

Find out if you need a visa

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:

  • Visa®
  • MasterCard®
  • American Express®
  • JCB®
  • UnionPay® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards.

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.The card you use doesn't have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

It must:

  • be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC® Online, and
  • be registered for online banking through your bank’s website.

We also accept all Debit MasterCard® and Visa® Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

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