Temporary Residence
Permanent Residency
Other Services
Types of Work Permits in Canada
To legally work in Canada, obtaining a work permit is often a necessary step. Work permits define the terms of employment, such as:
- Employer name
- Nature of work
- Location
- Duration of employment
However, some employment categories are exempt from requiring a work permit, depending on the nature and duration of the job.
Canada primarily offers two types of work permits:
1. Open Work Permit
An Open Work Permit allows the holder to work for almost any employer in Canada without needing a confirmed job offer or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Types of Open Work Permits:
- Unrestricted Open Work Permit:- Grants full freedom to work in any occupation and any location in Canada.
- Restricted Open Work Permit:- May limit either the type of job or location. These often exclude work for:
- Ineligible employers
- Employers offering specific services (e.g., adult entertainment)
Eligibility for Open Work Permit:
You may qualify if you are:
- A permanent residency applicant
- A spouse/common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student
- A dependent family member of a Canadian permanent resident or applicant
- Participating in select immigration or youth mobility programs
Common Open Work Permit Programs:
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
- Spousal/Common-Law Partner Work Permit
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
- Youth Mobility Work Permits (e.g., International Experience Canada)
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Spousal Permit
Visa Categories Using Open Work Permits:
- Working Holiday Visa
- International Co-op Program
- Young Professionals Program
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Program (certain streams)
2. Employer-Specific Work Permit
An Employer-Specific Work Permit restricts you to work for a particular employer under specific conditions, such as:
- Employer’s name
- Job location
- Duration of work
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must meet several conditions, including:
- Proof of job offer and employer compliance
- Clean criminal record
- Good health status
- Financial capacity
- Not working for ineligible employers or industries
Occupations Often Requiring Employer-Specific Permits:
- Academics and researchers
- Religious workers
- Entrepreneurs
- Athletes and coaches
- Agricultural workers
- Film and television production crew
Which is the prerequisites for immigration to Canada?
What are the contact address of Immigway?
Which is the prerequisites for immigration to Canada?
What IELTS Score required for Canada?
Other Work Permit Categories
Student Dependent Work Permit
International students may apply for work permits for their spouses and accompanying children (via study or visitor visas).
Spousal Work Permit
Allows spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to work while their sponsorship application is being processed.
Work Permit Exemptions
Certain occupations and activities do not require a work permit, particularly for short-term or specialized roles. These include:
- Foreign athletes and coaches
- Clergy
- News reporters and media crews
- Performing artists
- Expert witnesses and investigators
- Aviation accident investigators
- Healthcare students (under specific conditions)