Work Permit
Find out how to apply for a Work Permit and the needed supporting documents
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Depending on your nationality, you may need to give your biometrics:
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In most cases, you will need to apply for a Work Permit if you are planning to come to Canada for Work. This article will let you know the specifics of Work Permits, how to apply, the necessary supporting documents and the processing times.
Eligibility
There are some general eligibility requirements applicable to all Work Permit applicants. They need to:
- prove to an officer that they will leave Canada when their work permit expires,
- show that they have enough money to take care of themselves and their family members during their stay in Canada and to return home,
- obey the law and have no record of criminal activity,
- not be a danger to Canada’s security,
- be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed,
- not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions,
- not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages, and
- give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.
Types of Work Permits
There are two types of Work Permits: an Open Work Permit and an Employer-Specific Work Permit. You can check for which one you can be eligible to here.
Open Work Permit
An Open Work Permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:
You can only get an Open Work Permit in specific situations, such as if you are a dependent family members of permanent residents, a participant in the Working Holiday of International Experience Canada, a refugee or refugee claimant, applying for the Bridging Open Work Permit, etc. You can find if you are eligible by answering a few questions here.
- who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
- who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.
You can only get an Open Work Permit in specific situations, such as if you are a dependent family members of permanent residents, a participant in the Working Holiday of International Experience Canada, a refugee or refugee claimant, applying for the Bridging Open Work Permit, etc. You can find if you are eligible by answering a few questions here.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
An Employer-Specific Work Permit allows you to work according to the conditions on your Work Permit, which include:
- the name of the employer,
- the period of employment, and
- the location where you can work (if applicable).
How to Apply
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You have two options to apply for a Work Permit from outside Canada, either (i) online, or (ii) on paper.
Honestly, applying in paper is way easier and reassuring than online for the following reasons:
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- You can pay in cash in Visa Application Centers.
- If applying online and need a Temporary Resident Visa, you will still need to bring your passport to the Visa Application Center (for them to send it to the Canadian Consulate) and pay a fee almost the same as when applying directly with them. You will just be able to save a few bucks (less than $5), it is not worth it.
Biometrics
Depending on the country of nationality on your passport, you may need to provide biometrics (fingerprints scanning and photograph) to a Visa Application Center, for a fee of $85. You can check here if you need to provide them.
Medical Examination
You will need to wait for instructions to pass a medical exam if you have lived more than 6 months in a country in this list. When so, you will have to choose a panel physician that is authorized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). You can find the list, by country, here.
When you go to your appointment, you must bring:
You’ll also have to bring four recent photographs if the panel physician does not use the eMedical electronic system. Contact the panel physician before your appointment to find out.
Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months only. You may need to have another exam if you do not come to Canada during that time.
When you go to your appointment, you must bring:
- proper identification,
- eye glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them,
- any medical reports or test results that you have regarding to previous or existing medical conditions, and
- the Medical Report form. The visa office will send you this form.
You’ll also have to bring four recent photographs if the panel physician does not use the eMedical electronic system. Contact the panel physician before your appointment to find out.
Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months only. You may need to have another exam if you do not come to Canada during that time.
Supporting Documents
You need to fill and sign the following forms:
You need to provide the following supporting documents:
Other forms:
If you apply through a Visa Application Center, you will need to fill a waiver and consent forms that you can find in your country's Vfs.Global website (each country has its own waiver and consent forms).
Translation:
You must add the following for any document that is not in English or French:
- Application for Work Permit made Outside of Canada: IMM1295. You need to download the form and fill it on your computer. If you open it on your browser, the form might not be displayed. You will need to validate the form after finishing (button at the end of the form), it will make sure you did not forget anything and will create barcodes at the last page of the form.
- Family Information form for every person 18 years or older: IMM5645 or IMM5707 depending on your region.
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union form if you are in a Common-law Union: IMM 5409.
- Use of a Representative form if you are using the services of a representative: IMM5476.
- Document checklist: IMM5488.
You need to provide the following supporting documents:
- Fee payment in an acceptable format. Please ensure to include the application processing fee and, if applicable, the biometric fee. If you apply on paper at a Visa Application Center, you can pay the $155 Work Permit fee (+$85 if biometrics) there. If you are applying for an Open Work Permit, you will have to add a $100 fee (so a total of $255). You can check your country's means of payment here.
- Photocopy of the information page(s) of your valid passport or travel document which includes: passport number, issuance and expiry dates, photo, name, date and place of birth.
- Two photos meeting the requirements. On the back of the two photos, write your name and date of birth. If you need your biometrics to be taken, you will no need to bring the two photos.
- Proof indicating you meet the requirements of the job being offered (diplomas, degrees or certificates, experience letter from past and/or current employers, etc.).
- A copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) provided by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to your employer, and a copy of your job offer from your prospective employer, OR an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) (either an [IMM5802] or the Offer of Employment ID number).
- If you are a Provincial Nominee, a copy of your nomination letter and a R204c) letter issued by the province or territory.
- "Certificat d'acceptation du Québec" (CAQ) if planning to work in Quebec.
- Photocopy of your Marriage License/Certificate if married.
- Photocopy of your current immigration status if your country of residence differs from the country of citizenship listed on your passport.
- You medical exam report, if applicable.
Other forms:
If you apply through a Visa Application Center, you will need to fill a waiver and consent forms that you can find in your country's Vfs.Global website (each country has its own waiver and consent forms).
Translation:
You must add the following for any document that is not in English or French:
- the English or French translation; and
- an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (see below for details); and
- a certified copy of the original document.
Police Certificates
You might be required to provide a police certificate for the countries you have lived in. You need to wait to be asked to provide the police certificate(s). Check here on how to get the right police certificate by country.
Processing Times
Processing times for a Work Permit depend on the country from where you are applying.
You can find out your country's processing times here. You need to select "Visiting, studying, working temporarily", then "Work Permit", then choose the country you are applying from.
You can find out your country's processing times here. You need to select "Visiting, studying, working temporarily", then "Work Permit", then choose the country you are applying from.
If you have between 18 and 35 years old and from select countries, you can be eligible to apply for the International Experience Canada program.
If you want to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit, the application procedure is different. Find out more here.
If you want to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit, the application procedure is different. Find out more here.
