Work permits in Canada: choose the correct authorization

Separate LMIA, LMIA-exempt, employer-specific, and open work permits, then protect status, understand employer changes, worker rights, and SIN steps.

Updated August 12, 2026

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Permit fee: From $155
Extension target: 30 days early
Main systems: TFWP + IMP
Abuse line: 1-866-602-9448

Permit decision tree: what authorizes this job?

A work permit is temporary authorization with an expiry date and conditions. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program normally begins with a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment. The International Mobility Program covers LMIA-exempt situations, often after an employer submits an offer in the Employer Portal. Employer-specific permits name the employer and can name the occupation and location; open permits are available only in defined categories.

Is the activity work?

Paid activity and some unpaid activity that competes in the labour market can be work. If yes, identify the legal authorization before starting.

Does a permit exemption apply?

Use the exact IRCC exemption and conditions. A business visitor, performing artist, researcher, student placement, or short-term specialist can have fact-specific rules.

Does the employer need an LMIA?

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program normally requires a positive LMIA. The employer supplies the decision and contract so the worker can apply.

Is the route LMIA-exempt?

The International Mobility Program covers defined exemptions such as agreements, significant benefit, Francophone Mobility, and certain PR or family situations. An employer-specific route usually needs an Employer Portal offer.

Is it an open work permit category?

Open permits exist only where a law or public policy allows one, such as eligible PGWP, IEC Working Holiday, bridging, spouse, vulnerable-worker, or protected-person situations.

Is the permit employer-specific?

Work only for the employer, occupation, location, and period printed. To change employers, apply for a new permit and request interim authorization if eligible.

A SIN is not work authorization

Service Canada issues a Social Insurance Number so authorized workers can be paid and reported for tax. The SIN does not override a permit expiry, employer restriction, hour limit, medical restriction, or prohibition on work. Show the employer the permit or maintained-status evidence that actually authorizes the job.

Application path from eligibility to status

Follow the legal stages in order. A profile, nomination, invitation, approval letter, visa, permit, and permanent resident status are different milestones.

01
Authority
Confirm whether work is authorized
Do not begin because an employer, recruiter, visitor visa, eTA, or SIN appears sufficient. Match the job and activity to a valid permit, permit exemption, or study-permit work condition.
02
Employer
Identify LMIA or LMIA-exempt support
For TFWP, the employer normally needs a positive LMIA. For an employer-specific IMP route, it commonly submits the offer and pays the compliance fee before the worker applies.
03
Permit
Choose employer-specific or open
An employer-specific permit restricts work to the printed conditions. An open permit can allow broader employer changes but still has expiry, occupation, medical, and ineligible-employer limits.
04
Apply
Submit the evidence for the exact route
Provide identity, employer or category support, qualifications, status, family, medical and admissibility evidence. A letter of introduction is not the permit itself.
05
Inspect
Read the issued permit before working
Check name, passport, employer, occupation, location, expiry, and medical-related restrictions. Request correction promptly when printed information is wrong.
06
Maintain
Extend before expiry
A timely in-Canada extension can create maintained status. Work normally continues only under the original conditions while the application is processed.
07
Change
Get authorization for a new employer
An employer-specific holder applies for a new permit. Eligible in-Canada workers may request interim authorization before the new permit decision; open-permit holders can change while the permit remains valid.

Maintained status and change employers

Work permit status and employer change rules
Situation	What can continue	What to do
Timely extension, same conditions	Work under the original permit conditions while IRCC processes, when maintained-status rules apply	Keep submission proof and the WP-EXT letter; do not exceed original conditions
Employer-specific holder wants a new employer	Original job can continue while valid; new job normally waits	Apply for a new employer-specific permit and request interim authorization through IRCC if eligible
Valid open work permit	Change employers within the permit's restrictions and validity	Check ineligible employers, medical restrictions, occupation restrictions, and expiry
Permit already expired	Do not assume work may continue	Check restoration eligibility and stop unauthorized work unless an independent authorization applies

Worker rights and abuse reporting

Every worker has legal rights. A TFWP employer must provide a signed employment agreement matching the authorized occupation, wage, and conditions; comply with employment standards; and cannot take a passport, charge prohibited recruitment costs, threaten deportation, punish safety or abuse reporting, or force unauthorized work. Service Canada accepts confidential abuse reports online or at 1-866-602-9448. Call 9-1-1 in immediate danger.

Documents to build before the deadline

Core evidence file

Passport valid for the requested period
LMIA and contract, or LMIA-exempt offer number and category evidence
Written employment offer with occupation, wage, hours, location, and duties
Education, licence, trade, or experience proof for the job
Current permit, entry record, and in-Canada status evidence
Police certificate or medical examination when required
Marriage and birth records for accompanying applications
Certified translations and route-specific forms

Use the current official checklist for the exact program, country, family composition, and submission method. Scan full documents in colour, include both sides, preserve original-language records, add certified translations where required, and name files so the officer can understand them without guessing. Never alter a record to make it fit a claim.