Canada · Work

Work permit

Work permit is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. VisaAI tracks 33 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.

Last verified against the official source on .

VisaAI is not a government body and does not issue visas. It cannot decide, predict or guarantee the outcome of an application, and this page is not legal or immigration advice.

Requirements change. Confirm every item on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s own page before you apply.

Each requirement below is written in plain English by VisaAI. The indented text beneath it is quoted from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s own page, so you can check what we say against what they say. Where a quotation shows “ ... ”, text has been left out.

Conditions you must meet

  • Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in CanadaIRCC states you may be eligible for an employer-specific or an open work permit.
    Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. You may be eligible for an employer-specific or an open work permit.
  • An employer-specific work permit requires a job offer; an open work permit does notIRCC publishes this as the defining difference between the two permit types.
    Types of work permits Employer-specific work permit Job offer required Open work permit Job offer not required
  • A work permit cannot be issued for longer than your passport is validStated on the IMM 1295 instructions where you enter the expected start and end dates of your work in Canada. IRCC also states those dates should match the LMIA, the offer of employment, or the duration allowed in the work permit category for an open work permit.
    Note: A work permit cannot be issued for a duration that is longer than the validity of your passport.
  • Show you have enough money for yourself and your family during your stay and to return homeStated as a requirement to apply from outside Canada. IRCC publishes no fixed amount: it depends on family size, the community and the work permit program, and IRCC points to the low income cut-offs as a general reference.
    To apply for a work permit from outside Canada, you must: show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home
  • Show that you will leave Canada before your work permit expires
    To apply for a work permit from outside Canada, you must: ... show that you will leave Canada before your work permit expires
  • IRCC may ask you for a police certificateNot a document every applicant sends: IRCC asks for it where criminal history is in question (guide 5487: 'you may be asked to give us a police clearance certificate'). Get one only if IRCC or your visa office asks.
    Your application may be refused if you: are medically inadmissible have a record of criminal activity (we may ask for a police certificate)
  • You need an immigration medical exam if you lived 6 or more months in a row, in the year before coming, in a country or territory IRCC listsIRCC's country table marks each country or territory 'yes' or 'no'. The rule carries every 'yes' row as an ISO country code (128 rows, 121 codes: duplicate names such as Cabo Verde / Cape Verde and Hong Kong share a code), read on 2026-10-29 from the page dated 2026-07-16.
    you want to come to Canada for more than 6 months and have lived in, or travelled to, certain countries or territories, for 6 months or more in a row, in the year before you come to Canada, or ... You need an IME if there is a “ yes ” in the second column.

Official forms

  • Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295)IRCC states each person who needs a work permit must fill out this form. It is titled for applications made outside Canada; the inside-Canada and port-of-entry routes were not extracted.
    Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295) Who must fill out this application form? Each person who needs a work permit must fill out this form.
    Official form
  • Family Information Form – Visitors, Students and Workers (IMM 5645)Each applicant 18 or older fills it out: details of the applicant, spouse or common-law partner, parents, all children and all brothers and sisters.
    This form must be completed by each person, 18 years of age or older, applying for a Temporary Resident Visa, a study or work permit outside Canada.
    Official form
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)Required by the IMM 1295 instructions where the applicant is in a common-law union.
    If you are in a common-law union, you must also fill out the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409] (opens in a new tab) form and include it with your application.
  • Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)Required when anyone — paid or unpaid, including a friend or relative — represents you on this application. Complete and sign IMM 5476, have your representative sign it, and upload it with your application. A paid representative must be authorized (a licensed immigration consultant, a lawyer or a Quebec notary in good standing). Your representative can never sign the application for you.
    If you wish to have a representative who can conduct business on your behalf, you must give us their email and mailing addresses in this section and fill out the Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab) form.

Documents you must provide

  • Photocopy of your valid passport or travel documentIRCC lists it for all applicants. It must not be expired. A work permit cannot be issued for longer than the passport is valid. If you are approved and need a visitor visa, IRCC will ask for the original passport.
    All applicants need to include: Application For Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295) ... a photocopy of your valid (not expired) passport or travel document
  • 1 photo meeting the visa photo specificationsIRCC lists it for all applicants. When you apply online you upload a digital photo; if you give biometrics, guide 5487 says not to include paper photos.
    All applicants need to include: Application For Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295) ... 1 photo meeting the visa photo specifications
  • Original employment contract and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)Required by the IMM 1295 instructions where you need an LMIA to get a work permit, including the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. The forms-and-documents page names the same two documents for an LMIA-required job: a copy of the positive LMIA (with its file number) and an employment contract, both given to you by your employer. Not asked of an LMIA-exempt or open work permit applicant.
    a) If you need an LMIA to get a work permit, type the name of the employer as shown on the LMIA. Attach original employment contract and LMIA.
  • Quebec acceptance certificate (CAQ)For an LMIA-required job in Quebec, paid, for more than 30 days. Your employer applies for it with you to Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI). Guide 5487: 'if you do not need an lmia you will usually not need a caq.'
    If your job requires an LMIA, your employer must give you: ... a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) (if you plan to work a paid job in Quebec for more than 30 days)
  • Employment contract (LMIA-exempt job)Your employer gives you the contract together with the offer of employment number it got from IRCC's Employer Portal. For an LMIA job the contract goes with the LMIA (see that item).
    If your job is LMIA-exempt, your employer must give you: an employment contract an offer of employment number
  • Photocopy of your marriage licence or certificateRequired by the IMM 1295 instructions where the applicant is married.
    If you are married, you must send a photocopy of your marriage licence or certificate with your application.
  • Letter from your current employerFor an employer-specific work permit (LMIA or LMIA-exempt). IRCC: 'you’ll always be asked to include' it. An open work permit applicant asked for employment documents uploads a page reading 'not applicable'.
    If you're applying for an employer-specific work permit, you have to include some additional documents with your application. ... You’ll always be asked to include the following documents: a letter from your current employer
  • Reference letters from past employersFor an employer-specific work permit (LMIA or LMIA-exempt).
    If you're applying for an employer-specific work permit, you have to include some additional documents with your application. ... You’ll always be asked to include the following documents: a letter from your current employer a reference letter from past employers
  • Proof of past work experience (for example, pay stubs)For an employer-specific work permit (LMIA or LMIA-exempt).
    If you're applying for an employer-specific work permit, you have to include some additional documents with your application. ... You’ll always be asked to include the following documents: ... proof of past work experience (for example, pay stubs)
  • Proof you meet the requirements of the job (licence or certification)For an employer-specific work permit: the licence or certification if the job is regulated in Canada, or education or experience the job asks for (guide 5487: 'a valid canadian provincial or territorial trade certificate, educational requirements or past work experience'). If the job needs no licence or certification, IRCC asks you to upload a blank page reading 'not applicable'.
    If you're applying for an employer-specific work permit, you have to include some additional documents with your application. ... You’ll always be asked to include the following documents: ... proof that you meet the requirements of the job (for example, the license or certification if your job is regulated) Upload a blank sheet of paper with “Not applicable” written on it if your job doesn’t require a license or certification
  • RésuméFor an employer-specific work permit (LMIA or LMIA-exempt).
    If you're applying for an employer-specific work permit, you have to include some additional documents with your application. ... You’ll always be asked to include the following documents: ... Upload a blank sheet of paper with “Not applicable” written on it if your job doesn’t require a license or certification a résumé
  • Proof of your relationship to the worker you are joiningFor an open work permit as the family member of a foreign worker. A spouse gives a copy of the marriage certificate, a common-law partner the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409); a dependent child a birth certificate or adoption papers (both, if adopted). The marriage certificate or IMM 5409 already on your list counts.
    Proof of your relationship to the principal applicant Spouses and common-law partners Examples: a copy of your marriage certificate Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) Other dependants Examples: birth certificate adoption papers
  • Copy of the worker’s work permit or letter of introduction, showing its expiryFor an open work permit as the family member of a foreign worker: proof they can or will work in Canada, and for how long. IRCC asks that the worker can work at least 6 months after it receives your application, or at least 16 months for the spouse of a high-skilled worker who is not on a permanent residence pathway. Some applicants applying at the same time as an employer-specific permit holder (or a CSQ or PGWP holder) do not need the authorization proof.
    Proof that the principal applicant can or will be legally authorized to work in Canada Examples: a copy of the work permit or a copy of the letter of introduction ... Proof that the principal applicant can work in Canada for at least 6 months after we receive the family member’s work permit application Examples: a copy of the work permit with the expiry date a copy of the letter of introduction (port of entry letter)
  • Letter from the worker’s employer showing their occupation and NOC/TEERFor an open work permit as the family member of a foreign worker: the employer letter (employment details, occupation, duties and NOC or TEER category) or a copy of the worker's offer of employment. IRCC does not ask it of the family of an IMP+ permit holder. The TEER categories that qualify differ by situation; IRCC decides eligibility.
    Proof that the principal applicant is or will be working in an occupation in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupation Classification system For most open work permit holders, such as those under the PGWP program or International Experience Canada, the proof should be a letter from the principal applicant’s current employer that shows their employment details their occupation a description of their duties the NOC or TEER category their job is classified under or a copy of the letter of offer of employment
  • Immigration medical exam (upfront exam with a panel physician)Needed when you will work in Canada for more than 6 months and have lived for 6 or more months in a row, in the year before you come, in a country or territory on IRCC's medical-exam list (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, the Philippines and others); whatever the length of stay, for a job where public health must be protected (health services, work with children, schools, hospital or laboratory staff, caregiving); and for agricultural work after living in a listed country. Guide 5487 lets you either have an upfront exam with a panel physician and upload proof of it with your application, or wait for the visa office's medical instructions, so this slot does not block preparing your forms.
    If you plan to work, visit or study in Canada for more than six months: You will need a medical exam if you: have lived temporarily for six or more months in a row: in any of these countries or territories in the one year immediately before the date you want to enter Canada. ... Regardless of the length of time you are in Canada, you will need a medical exam if you wish to work in one of the following fields: a designated occupation, such as the field of health services or with children. ... to work in agricultural occupations, you will need a medical exam if you have lived in certain countries or territories. ... If you have an upfront medical exam, you must submit proof that you completed the medical exam with your application.
  • Proof of your immigration status in the country where you liveOnly if you are not a citizen of the country or territory you are applying from: for example a residence permit or visa for that country.
    If you’re not a citizen of the country or territory where you’re applying, you must send proof of your present immigration status in that country or territory.

Steps in the process

  • Sign in to your account, upload documents, pay fees and give biometricsIRCC's own summary of the submission step on the apply-from-outside-Canada page.
    Submit your application Sign in to your account, upload documents, pay fees, give biometrics
  • Validate the form to generate the barcode pageIRCC requires validation when the form is completed on a computer. Paper applicants must print the barcode page (page 5 of 5) and place it on top of the application, or on top of each individual application package when applying as a group.
    Note: If this application form is completed on a computer it must be validated to generate a barcode page. If you apply on paper, print and place the barcode page (page 5 of 5) on the top of your application (or if applying as a group, each individual application package).
  • Send IRCC your original passport if you also need a temporary resident visaApplies after approval, and only where a temporary resident visa is needed, so that IRCC can issue the visa counterfoil.
    Note: If you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and your work permit application is approved, you must give us your original passport so we can issue the visa counterfoil.

Government fees

  • Work permit processing feeCAD 155 · CAD 465 group maximumCAD 155.00 per person, the same amount as for an extension. A group of 3 or more performing artists and their staff applying at the same time and place pays a maximum of CAD 465.00. IRCC's apply page writes the fee as '$155 (unless exempt)'; the exemption list was not read.
    Work Permits (including extensions) Fees $CAN Work permit (including extensions) – per person 155.00 Work permit (including extensions) – per group (3 or more performing artists) Maximum fee for a group of 3 or more performing artists applying at the same time and place 465.00
  • Open work permit holder feeCAD 100CAD 100.00, paid on top of the CAD 155.00 work permit fee when you apply for an open work permit. Guide 5487: refunded if the application is refused.
    If you are applying for an Open Work Permit, you must pay the $100 Open Work Permit Holder fee in addition to the Work Permit fee of $155.
  • Biometrics feeCAD 85 · CAD 170 family maximum · CAD 255 performing artist group maximumCAD 85.00 per individual, with a maximum of CAD 170.00 for a family of 2 or more eligible people applying at the same time, and CAD 255.00 for a group of 3 or more performing artists applying for a work permit at the same time. Payable only if your citizenship requires biometrics; IRCC publishes a separate tool to check, and that country list has not been extracted.
    Biometrics – per individual 85.00 Biometrics – per family of 2 or more eligible people Maximum fee for a family of 2 or more people applying at the same time Family members eligible for this fee are your spouse or common-law partner your dependent children and their dependent children Check if your child is a dependant. 170.00 Biometrics – per group of 3 or more performing artists Maximum fee for a group of 3 or more performing artists applying for a work permit at the same time 255.00

Official sources

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