You need a work permit

Type of work permit

Based on your answers, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit. Your employer must get a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA) before you submit your application.

An LMIA is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada that allows an employer to hire a foreign worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program.

Before you apply

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must give you both of the following:

• a copy of the positive LMIA
• your job offer letter or contract

You must also meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Workers in Quebec

You must also apply to Quebec’s provincial government for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for your job.

How to apply

When you complete your work permit application, select “Labour Market Impact Assessment stream” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

Apply for a work permit

Get faster processing

You may also qualify for 2-week processing of your application if your employer gets a positive LMIA through the Global Talent Stream of the TFW Program.

Medical doctors and certain healthcare specialists

You may be eligible for faster processing for your work permit if you

• have a full-time and non-seasonal job offer in one of the three eligible NOCs
  • NOC 31100 – Specialist in clinical laboratory medicine
  • NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
  • NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
• have a support letter from a Canadian province or territory
  • The letter nominates you as a permanent residence applicant through the Provincial Nominee Program. 
• meet the general eligibility requirements (opens in a new tab) to apply for a work permit, depending on where you apply from

Get faster processing