- wages;
- working conditions; and
- the job.
Employers who have not complied with past commitments to foreign workers may be banned from hiring any foreign workers for a specific length of time. The length of the ban is noted on the public list of employers who have been found non-compliant.
You must not work for an ineligible employer. Check the current List of employers who have been found non-compliant.
Note: If your employer is a mission, foreign government, international organization or a bridge or tunnel authority, they may be exempt from the Employer Compliance Regime. Find out more about this exemption.
What is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
An LMIA is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that gives the employer permission to hire a temporary worker.
ESDC will assess the employer’s LMIA application to determine what impact hiring a temporary foreign worker would have on Canada’s job market. ESDC will issue a positive or negative LMIA letter to the employer. Your employer should give you a copy of this letter to include with your application for a work permit.
The LMIA is usually given for a specific period of time and the work permit issued will match that period. If you want to renew your work permit beyond this period, you will likely need a new LMIA. Find out more about the LMIA.
Note: LMIA-exempt work permits have different conditions that are reviewed by IRCC or CBSA. Find out if you need an LMIA.
Offers of Employment from a specific employer for LMIA-exempt foreign workers
If you do not need an LMIA to work in Canada, your employer must submit an offer of employment to us through the Employer Portal. Your employer must give you an offer of employment number and pay the Employer compliance fee before you start your work permit application. The offer of employment number starts with the letter “A” and is followed by seven numbers.
If your employer does not need to pay the employer compliance fee, they must upload proof of their fee exemption in the Employer Portal.
Do I need a work permit to work in Canada?
You need a work permit if you are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident and you want to work temporarily in Canada.
Depending on the nature of the activity, you may be exempt from a work permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. In most cases, you will need one to work legally in Canada.
Find out if you need a work permit.
You can also find information in the Help Centre.
When should I apply?
You should apply as soon as you have:
- a written job offer or employment contract, and
- The LMIA decision letter that your employer received from ESDC or the offer of employment number from your employer if you do not need an LMIA.
Am I eligible?
You must show the officer that you are eligible under Canada’s Immigration law and that you will be in Canada for a temporary stay. You must:
- satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your employment;
- be law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity (you may be asked to give us a Police Clearance Certificate);
- not be a danger to the security of Canada;
- be in good health and complete a medical exam, if needed;
- not intend to engage in employment with an employer on the List of Ineligible Employers;
- not plan to work with an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; and
- provide any other documents the officer needs to establish your admissibility.
Are there any conditions on my work permit?
An officer may impose, change or cancel conditions when issuing a work permit. These may include any of the following:
- the type of employment;
- the employer you can work for;
- where you can work;
- how long you can continue to work; and
- the times or periods of work.
Do I need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?
If you want to work in Canada, you may need a TRV or an eTA.
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is an official document issued by an officer that is placed in your passport to show that you meet the general requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident. An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a paperless document that is electronically linked to your passport. It also shows that you are eligible to enter Canada as a temporary resident.
If you need a TRV or an eTA, you do not have to fill out a separate application or pay more fees. It will be issued by the officer at the same time as the documents you need for your entry to Canada as a worker.
Find out if you need a TRV or an eTA.
Applying for a post-graduation work permit from outside Canada
If you graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and are applying for a post-graduation work permit from outside Canada, you must indicate this on your Application form for a work permit made from outside Canada (IMM 1295) (opens in a new tab) :
In the section “Details of intended work in Canada”:
- Question 1: Choose “Open Work Permit”
- Question 2a (Name of employer): Write “Post Graduate Work Permit”
You have up to 180 days after you receive confirmation from your school that you have completed all the requirements of your study program to apply for a work permit. This confirmation could be a degree, diploma, transcript or an official letter from your school.
Note: To be eligible, your study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 days.
Important information:
Family member definitions
Your family members include your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children and any children that are their dependent children.
Spouse
Refers to either of the two persons (any gender) in a marriage legally recognized in the country in which it took place, as well as in Canada.
Proxy, telephone, fax, internet and similar forms of marriage where one or both parties were not physically present are not considered as valid spousal relationships under the Regulations nor are polygamous marriages. For more information, consult our policy on the legality of a marriage.
Common-law partnerRefers to a person who is living in a conjugal relationship with another person (any gender), and has done so continuously for a period of at least one year. A conjugal relationship exists when there is a significant degree of commitment between two people.
This can be shown with evidence that the couple share the same home, support each other financially and emotionally, have children together, or present themselves in public as a couple.
Common-law partners who have been in a conjugal relationship for at least one year, but are unable to live together or appear in public together because of legal restrictions in their home country or who have been separated for reasons beyond their control (for example, civil war or armed conflict) may still qualify and should be included on the application.
Dependent children
We assess your child’s eligibility as a dependant based on how old they were at a specific point in time, called the "lock-in date". This is usually the date we received your application. To see if your child qualifies as a dependant, we consider the age of your child on the lock-in date, even though your child’s age may change during processing.
Your child or the child of your spouse or common-law partner can be considered a dependent child if that child meets the requirements below on the lock-in date:
- They’re under 22 years old, and
- They don’t have a spouse or common-law partner
Children 22 years old or older qualify as dependants if they meet both of these requirements:
- They have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22, and
- They are unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition
With the exception of age, dependants must continue to meet these requirements until we finish processing your application.
If your child’s age was locked in on or before October 23, 2017, a previous definition of dependent children may apply.
Dependent child of a dependent child
Refers to children of dependent children of the applicant and those of the spouse or common-law partner, if applicable.
Do I have to apply separately for my family members?
Family members must complete their own application forms. However, you may submit your applications together online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and use one payment receipt for the total amount.
Your spouse or common-law partner and children must meet all of the requirements for temporary residence in Canada.
May my spouse or common-law partner and children work in Canada?
To work in Canada, your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children must apply for their own work permits. Each person must meet the requirements to get a work permit, including the LMIA requirement.
They may, however apply for their work permit from within Canada. Find more details in the Help Centre.
May my children attend school?
Your children may attend school in Canada. You must apply for their study permit at the same time as your own. If your children plan to join you at a later date, they must apply for a study permit before coming to Canada.
Are there medical requirements?
If you plan to work, visit or study in Canada for six months or less:
You usually do not need a medical exam.
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. (This applies even if you are a citizen of a country that does not need a visa 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. Examples of designated occupations include hospital staff, clinical laboratory workers, patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes, and medical and dental students admitted to attend Canadian universities;
- to work in agricultural occupations, you will need a medical exam if you have lived in certain countries or territories.
You and your family members may need a medical exam to come to Canada. Find out more by checking the Medical examination requirements for temporary residents.
- have an upfront medical exam by contacting a Panel Physician; or
- wait until your application is reviewed and medical instructions are given to you by the visa office.
Get the instructions to complete the medical exam.
When medical results are submitted up front, routine cases benefit from faster processing since we do not have to ask for them at a later date. This is done at your own cost and does not influence the final decision on your application. If you have an upfront medical exam, you must submit proof that you completed the medical exam with your application. Failure to do so may result in processing delays.
The officer’s decision is based on the type of job you will have and where you have lived in the past year.
If you want to work in health services, child care, primary or secondary education, you will need a medical exam and a satisfactory medical assessment before we can issue you a work permit.
If you want to work in agricultural occupations, you will need a medical exam if you have lived in certain countries or territories.
Note: A medical exam may add over three months to the processing of your application.
How often do you give your biometrics
You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years when you apply for a visa or permit. However, we can’t issue a visa or permit longer than 10 years from the last date you gave your biometrics.
When to give your biometrics
If you submit your application online or by mail.
You can give your biometrics after you:
- pay for and submit your application and biometric fees, and
- get a biometric instruction letter (BIL) that will direct you to a list of official locations you may choose from.
You must provide your biometric data promptly after receiving the instruction letter inviting you to do so.
If you submit your application in person at a visa application centre (VAC)
You may be able to book an appointment in advance to give your biometrics at the same time that you submit your application at a VAC. If you can’t give your biometrics when you submit your application you will have to make an appointment at the VAC to give them at a later date.
Extend the validity of your biometrics
If you want a visa or permit for longer than 10 years from the last date you gave your biometrics, you can choose to give your biometrics again when you apply. You can give your biometrics again even if they’re still valid.
Follow these steps when you apply for your visa or permit:
- Pay the biometrics fee when you apply.
- Wait for your biometric instruction letter (BIL). You must use the BIL that was issued for this application.
- Book an appointment and visit an official biometric collection location to give your biometrics again.
Where to give your biometrics
You need to book an appointment to give your biometrics at one of these official biometric collection service points.
We’ll start processing your application after we get your biometrics.
Step 1. Gather documents
What documents do I need?
Use the Document Checklist (IMM 5488) ( PDF , 316.89 KB ) to help you gather the supporting documents needed to apply for a work permit.
You need different forms depending on how you are applying and where you are applying from. Please refer to the specific instructions from the responsible visa office for your region to ensure you submit a complete application.
Important information: If you do not send all the requested information or documents, the processing of your application could be delayed.
- Proof of identity
- A valid passport or travel document that gives you the right to return to the country or territory that issued it; and
- Two (2) photos of yourself and each family member accompanying you, that meet the Visa application photograph specifications.
Note: if you need to give biometric information (biometric fingerprints and a biometric photo), do not include paper photos. Find out if you need to give biometrics.
- For LMIA-exempt work permits: The offer of employment number (begins with the letter “A” and is followed by seven numbers) that your employer should give to you, OR If you need an LMIA to work: A copy of the labour market impact assessment (LMIA) from ESDC (your employer should give this to you), AND a copy of your employment contract from your future employer.
- Proof that you are eligible for the job (for example: a valid Canadian provincial or territorial trade certificate, educational requirements or past work experience outlined in a resume).
- A copy of the attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), if you plan to work in Quebec or will be working in Quebec. If you do not need an LMIA you will usually not need a CAQ.
- You may need to provide a marriage certificate and birth certificates for any accompanying family members.
- If you are in a common-law relationship and your common-law partner will accompany you to Canada, you must fill out and click on the “Validate” button located at the end of the form Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union(IMM 5409) (opens in a new tab) and send proof listed on the form to support your relationship.
- If you are not a citizen of the country or territory where you are applying, you must send proof of your present immigration status in that country or territory.
- If the government that issued your passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit, you must receive it before you apply for a work permit.
- You may need to give us more documents.
Do you plan to work in Quebec?
In general, to work in Quebec, you need an attestation of issuance of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) before applying for a work permit from.
Your employer must contact:
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and
- the MIFI to get permission to hire you.
Your employer will ask you to sign the application for a CAQ and will send it to the MIFI on your behalf.
Please refer to the MIFI website for contact information and for the latest updates on the process and documents needed for Quebec.
Translation of documents
You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French:
- the English or French translation; and
- an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator).
Translations may be done by:
- a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French, and the unofficial language); or
- a Canadian certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada).
If the translation isn’t done by a Canadian certified translator, the person who completed the translation must provide an affidavit swearing to their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.
The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of:
In Canada:
- a notary public;
- a commissioner of oaths; or
- a commissioner of taking affidavits.
Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Consult your local provincial or territorial authorities.
Outside of Canada:
Authority to administer oaths varies by country. Consult your local authorities.
Important information: Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by members of the applicant’s family. This includes a parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and first cousin.
Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translators who are certified in Canada don’t need to supply an affidavit.
Certified true copies
To have a photocopy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare the original document to the photocopy and must print all of the following on the photocopy:
- “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”;
- the name of the original document;
- the date of the certification;
- the name of the authorized person;
- their official position or title; and
- their signature.
Who can certify copies?
Only authorized people can certify copies.
Important information: Certifying of copies must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by an applicant’s parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin.
People authorized to certify copies include the following:
In Canada:
- a notary public;
- a commissioner of oaths; or
- a commissioner of taking affidavits.
Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Check with your local provincial or territorial authorities to learn who has the authority to certify.
Outside Canada:
Authority to certify international documents varies by country. Check with your local authorities to learn who has the authority to certify in your country.
Step 2. Complete the Application
You must fill out and submit these forms:
- Application For Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295) (opens in a new tab)
- Document Checklist (IMM 5488) (opens in a new tab)
- Family Information (IMM 5707) (opens in a new tab)
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409] (opens in a new tab) , if it applies to you
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab) , if it applies to you
- Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] (opens in a new tab) , if it applies to you
Note: A migration officer may ask you for more supporting documents.
Important information: It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on these forms. The information on your application may be verified.
