How to apply

You must apply online for this work permit. You can’t apply on paper unless you’re eligible.

Step 1: Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

Answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown based on whether you’re applying from inside or outside Canada.

Outside Canada applicants
Question (for outside Canada applicants) Answer

What would you like to do in Canada?

Work

I have a job offer and my employer gave me an offer of employment number or LMIA number (or proof that your employer applied for an LMIA).

Yes

Will you be coming to Canada under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC?

No

You should get the following result:

Foreign Worker - International Mobility Program

You may be eligible to come to Canada as a foreign worker.

Click the “Continue” button to proceed and answer the rest of the questions based on your situation. Make sure to answer the following question exactly as shown.

What type of work permit do you want to apply for?

A work permit with a labour market impact assessment exemption

Inside Canada applicants
Question (for in-Canada applicants) Answer

What would you like to do in Canada?

Work

Does one of the following apply to you?

Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who …

Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who is …

No

You should get the following result:

Work Permit (in Canada)

You may be eligible to extend your stay in Canada to work with a work permit.

Click the “Continue” button to proceed and answer the rest of the questions based on your situation. Make sure to answer the following question exactly as shown.

Which option best describes your work situation?

I'm applying for an employer-specific work permit with LMIA-exemption

Step 2: Get your documents ready

You’ll need to gather the right supporting documents. Use the supporting document checklist listed in the application instructions you got from completing step 1 above.

If you’re applying from inside Canada, you’ll need to upload a blank document in the “Invitation Letter” field of the application. Outside Canada applicants don’t have an “Invitation Letter” field in their application.

There’s only 1 Client Information field. You may need to combine more than 1 document into 1 file and upload them together.

Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.

Step 3: Check if you need a medical exam

Find out if you need a medical exam for your application.

If you need a medical exam

Step 4: Apply for a work permit

Follow the usual steps to apply online for a work permit.

After you apply

Find out what to do and what happens after you apply for your work permit.

Prepare to arrive in Canada

There are also a few things you should know before you arrive in Canada to work.

Find out what you need to know before arriving in Canada.

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