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Work in Canada guide

Work in Canada

Browse guides about work in canada. Choose a program, document, deadline or problem to get started.

In brief

Start with the page closest to your question. Each guide links to government instructions and explains what to check before you apply, respond or make a decision.

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Find the guide you need

Choose the page closest to your question, program, document or problem.

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Work in Canada

Canadian work permits

Compare employer-specific and open Canadian work permits, where to apply, employer requirements and what approval does and does not authorize.

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Work in Canada

Open work permits

See which graduates, spouses, permanent residence applicants and vulnerable workers may qualify for an open Canadian work permit.

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Work in Canada

Employer-specific work permits

Learn how closed Canadian work permits use an LMIA or exemption, Employer Portal offer and conditions naming the employer, job and location.

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Work in Canada

Labour Market Impact Assessments

Understand Labour Market Impact Assessments, employer recruitment and wage duties, positive LMIA limits and the worker’s separate permit application.

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Work in Canada

LMIA-exempt work permits

Learn how trade agreements, Canadian interests and other LMIA exemptions work, and why most employers still use the Employer Portal.

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Work in Canada

International Mobility Program

Understand Canada’s LMIA-exempt International Mobility Program, open and employer-specific permits, Employer Portal duties and compliance.

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Work in Canada

Global Talent Stream

Learn how Category A referrals and Category B occupations use a Global Talent Stream LMIA, Labour Market Benefits Plan and work-permit application.

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Work in Canada

Intra-company transferees

Check the qualifying-company relationship, foreign employment and executive, managerial or specialized-knowledge tests for an ICT permit.

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Work in Canada

Post-graduation work permits

Check PGWP-eligible schools and programs, language and field-of-study rules, full-time study, application timing and permit length.

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Work in Canada

Open work permits for spouses and partners

Check the 2026 occupation, permit-validity, relationship and status rules for spouses and partners of foreign workers in Canada.

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Work in Canada

Bridging open work permits

Learn which permanent residence applicants may obtain a bridging open work permit, when an AOR matters and how status and nomination conditions apply.

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A newcomer discussing job-search strategy with a career adviser
Work in Canada

Open work permits for vulnerable workers

Learn how workers in Canada facing job-related abuse or risk of abuse can request a temporary open work permit and document the situation safely.

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Work in Canada

International Experience Canada

Compare Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op permits, country eligibility, pools, invitation deadlines and arrival documents.

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Work in Canada

Business visitors to Canada

Distinguish meetings, conferences and foreign-business activities from hands-on work that enters Canada’s labour market and needs a permit.

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Work in Canada

Extending a Canadian work permit

Apply to extend or change a Canadian work permit before expiry, understand maintained status and prepare the employer or open-permit evidence.

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Work in Canada

Maintained status for workers

Understand when a worker may stay and keep working after permit expiry, which old conditions continue and how travel or refusal ends authorization.

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Work in Canada

Changing employers in Canada

Learn when an employer-specific permit holder needs a new application and how to request temporary authorization to begin the new job sooner.

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Work in Canada

When work may be authorized without a permit

Check Canada’s narrow work-permit exemptions for business visitors, academics, performers, athletes, emergency workers and short-term high-skilled work.

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Work in Canada

Employer compliance and worker protections

Understand Canadian employer duties, six-year records, inspections, worker protections, monetary penalties and bans under TFWP and IMP.

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Work in Canada

Work permit refusals

Read a Canadian work permit refusal, obtain the record and compare correction, reapplication, reconsideration and Federal Court review.

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Work in Canada

After a Canadian work permit is approved

Prepare for the border, inspect the issued work permit, obtain a SIN and health coverage and follow employer, job, location and medical conditions.

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How to use this hub

Check the worker, the employer and the permit conditions

01

Worker

Confirm present status and whether the person may apply from their location.

02

Employer

Determine whether an employer assessment, offer submission or compliance step is required.

03

Conditions

Know the employer, occupation, location and expiry restrictions attached to authorization.

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You may also need

A professional working in transportation and logistics
Work in Canada

Canadian work permits

Compare employer-specific and open Canadian work permits, where to apply, employer requirements and what approval does and does not authorize.

Read the guide
A family moving into their Canadian home
Work in Canada

Open work permits

See which graduates, spouses, permanent residence applicants and vulnerable workers may qualify for an open Canadian work permit.

Read the guide
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Work in Canada

Employer-specific work permits

Learn how closed Canadian work permits use an LMIA or exemption, Employer Portal offer and conditions naming the employer, job and location.

Read the guide
A skilled tradesperson at work
Work in Canada

Labour Market Impact Assessments

Understand Labour Market Impact Assessments, employer recruitment and wage duties, positive LMIA limits and the worker’s separate permit application.

Read the guide
Moncton, New Brunswick
Work in Canada

LMIA-exempt work permits

Learn how trade agreements, Canadian interests and other LMIA exemptions work, and why most employers still use the Employer Portal.

Read the guide
People preparing to move into a home
Work in Canada

International Mobility Program

Understand Canada’s LMIA-exempt International Mobility Program, open and employer-specific permits, Employer Portal duties and compliance.

Read the guide