A Canadian work visa can be obtained in a variety of ways. Some work permits need a job offer from a Canadian company, others need the employer to submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and still others need some kind of Canadian link (prior education, sponsorship from a spouse, etc.).

Obtaining a Canadian Work Permit

Depending on the kind of work permit a person is looking for, the procedure for getting one in Canada varies considerably. For instance, as part of their study permit authorisation, international students studying in Canada frequently receive automatic permission to work part-time.

For the majority of closed work permit applications, the foreign applicant must have a formal job offer from a Canadian business that is accompanied by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Even individuals who are exempt from the LMIA or who are not required to obtain a work visa should be aware of the special paperwork they must prepare to guarantee they are admitted to Canada. A closed (limited) work permit and an open work permit are the two main ways to obtain a work permit in Canada.

A foreign person with a closed work permit must continue to work for the same employer at the same location unless their work permit is changed because closed work permits are linked to specific employers.

Immigration Advice: Permanent residents of Canada do not need a work permit to work there. A person who has been granted permanent resident status is able to live and work anywhere in the nation.