Canadian Work Permits

Canadian work permits constitute a category of temporary resident permits granted to foreign nationals seeking authorization to work in Canada. Work permits are broadly available for foreign nationals who wish to work in Canada on a temporary basis. The Canadian government acknowledges the significance of temporary foreign workers to the country’s economy and has established various programs to assist temporary foreign workers in coming to Canada and securing gainful employment.

Types of Canadian Work Permits

Some of the Canada work permit programs are employer-specific while others grant open work permits to foreign nationals. The most significant distinction between them is that employer-specific work permits (also known as closed work permits) allow foreign nationals to work exclusively for the employer designated on the work permit.
This means employer-specific work permit holders are not authorized to work for any employer that has not been identified on their work permit. Conversely, open work permits allow foreign nationals to work for any employers unless specifically prohibited by their work permit conditions.

Open Work Permit Programs in Canada

The most popular open work permit program is Post-Graduate Work Permits. Post-Graduate Work Permits are granted to graduates of eligible Canadian college and university programs for up to three years.
Graduates of eligible Canadian college and university programs can obtain open work permits after graduation and legally work and acquire Canadian work experience as long as they meet the other requirements of the Post-Graduate Work Permits and Immigration and Refugees Protection Act (IRPA).
Another program available for open work permits in Canada is the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. This program is designed for young adults from certain countries who want to live and work in Canada for up to two years. The program has three sub-categories, each with specific eligibility requirements: Working Holiday, Young Professional, and International Co-op.

Employer-Specific Work Permits

Employer-specific work permits consist of two types: LMIA work permits and LMIA exempt work permits. LMIA applications are processed by the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) of Service Canada. The TFWP allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers for jobs that Canadians cannot fill. This program has strict requirements to ensure that foreign workers are treated fairly and that they do not take jobs away from Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Generally speaking, LMIA exempt work permits originate from international trade agreements such as GATS, NAFTA, CUSMA, Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, etc. Such Canadian work permits are available to certain professionals, trade workers, high executive positions, or employees with specialized knowledge. For expert guidance on your work permit application, consult with our experienced immigration lawyers who can assist with both LMIA applications and ICT program transfers.