Canadian Immigration Services
Plan your work permit application with practical guidance from preparation to submission.
A Canadian work permit allows a foreign national to work in Canada under the conditions established by the applicable immigration program. The two main categories are employer-specific work permits, which authorize employment under specified conditions, and open work permits, which provide broader employment flexibility for individuals who meet particular eligibility requirements.
The appropriate work permit depends on the applicant's circumstances, eligibility, proposed employment, and immigration status. Whether you are applying from outside Canada, changing employers, extending your authorization to work, or exploring an open work permit, each situation requires a different approach to eligibility assessment and document preparation.
Immigration Vector assists individuals and employers in navigating work permit applications, reviewing employment arrangements, and preparing documents that reflect the applicant's actual circumstances.
A work permit application involves more than submitting a job offer or completing immigration forms. We examine the basis for the proposed work in Canada, the applicant's qualifications, the employer's role where applicable, and the requirements of the relevant immigration program.
We assess your immigration status, professional background, employment circumstances, and other relevant factors to identify the appropriate work permit category and determine how the applicable requirements may affect your application.
Where employer participation is required, we review job offers, employment contracts, job duties, wage information, and supporting documents. Depending on the immigration program, this may include LMIA-related documentation or information required for an LMIA-exempt work permit.
We assist with application forms, employment records, evidence of qualifications, immigration documents, and supporting explanations. Our review focuses on ensuring that the information provided throughout the application is accurate, complete, and consistent with the applicant's circumstances.
For individuals already working in Canada, we assess how an approaching permit expiry, change of employer, new position, or change in personal circumstances may affect their authorization to work. Where appropriate, we help prepare applications to extend a work permit or change its conditions.
A work permit application should accurately reflect the applicant's professional background and the employment arrangement, where applicable. Inconsistent job duties, unclear employment records, missing documents, or differences between employer information and the applicant's history may require additional explanation.
We review these details before submission and help prepare supporting information that clearly presents the circumstances of the application.
Obtaining a work permit is only one part of maintaining authorization to work in Canada. Workers must also understand the conditions attached to their permits and how changes in employment or immigration status may affect their ability to continue working.
For individuals holding employer-specific work permits, changes involving the employer, position, or other conditions may require a new application or authorization before the new employment begins. Open work permit holders generally have greater employment flexibility but must still comply with any restrictions attached to their permits.
An approaching permit expiry also requires careful planning. Depending on the circumstances, an applicant may need to apply for an extension, change the conditions of an existing permit, or explore another immigration pathway.
Immigration Vector helps clients understand the implications of these changes, identify the relevant application requirements, and prepare supporting documents based on their individual circumstances.
Our goal is to help you prepare a work permit application that accurately reflects your eligibility, employment arrangements, and immigration history while supporting your ability to plan your next steps in Canada.
Steps
Determine which work permit category matches your circumstances, employment plans, and eligibility.
Review the applicable immigration requirements, including the applicant's qualifications, immigration status, and employer-related requirements, where applicable.
Depending on the work permit category, obtain the job offer, LMIA, LMIA-exempt offer of employment number, or other necessary supporting documents.
Complete the required immigration forms and gather supporting documents, including identification, employment records, evidence of qualifications, and immigration history.
Submit the application through the appropriate process and pay the applicable government fees.
Provide biometrics, complete a medical examination, or submit additional documents if requested by IRCC.
If approved, complete the applicable steps to receive your work permit and review its conditions before beginning or continuing employment in Canada.
Questions
Clear answers to the questions clients ask most often.
An employer-specific work permit allows you to work in Canada under the conditions listed on your permit, which may include the employer, occupation, and work location. An open work permit generally allows you to work for most employers in Canada without being tied to a particular job. However, open work permits are available only to applicants who meet specific eligibility requirements.
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