Canadian work permits enable foreign nationals to work and reside in Canada temporarily. They also enhance eligibility for economic permanent residence (PR) programs by allowing newcomers to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Here, Skynet Immigration addresses six of the most common questions newcomers have about work permits.
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with Skynet Immigration
What kinds of work permits are there?
Canadian work permits are generally categorized into two types:
- Open work permits (OWPs)
- Employer-specific/closed work permits
OWPs allow holders to work anywhere in Canada for most employers across various industries.
On the other hand, employer-specific work permits restrict holders to work for a particular employer, often specifying the location and duration of work. These are often referred to as Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permits, as they typically require an LMIA to support the application. An LMIA is used by the Canadian government to assess the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labor market. A positive or neutral LMIA result is necessary for the work permit application to proceed.
How long will it take to process a work permit application?
Processing times for work permits vary widely depending on the program, type of work permit, the applicant’s location, and other factors.
To address these variations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides a regularly updated processing times tool, which takes into account the department’s current capacity and backlog of applications.
Can visitors in Canada apply for a work permit?
Typically, visitors in Canada (those holding a visitor visa and not a Canadian study or work permit) cannot apply for work permits while inside Canada.
However, a temporary policy change during the COVID-19 pandemic (valid until February 28th, 2025) allows some visitors to apply for employer-specific work permits.
Eligibility criteria include:
- Being physically present in Canada when applying
- Remaining in Canada while IRCC processes the application (leaving Canada during processing disqualifies applicants under this policy)
- Applying for the employer-specific work permit between August 24, 2020, and February 28, 2025
- Holding valid visitor status when applying
- Restoring visitor status (if expired) before applying for the work permit
Certain professions are excluded under this policy.
Holders of the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) are also eligible under this policy. The CSQ is a document issued by Quebec immigration authorities declaring the holder has been selected to settle in Quebec.
Can applicants appeal a decision on their work permit application?
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act does not provide a right of appeal for decisions on temporary resident applications (work/study permits or visitor visas).
Instead, IRCC encourages applicants to reapply, with a different immigration officer reviewing the new application if possible.
If an applicant believes their application was not processed according to procedural standards, they may pursue a judicial review. This legal procedure involves the Federal Court of Canada reviewing the processing officer’s actions. A Canadian lawyer would represent the applicant in this process.
How can a lost, stolen, or destroyed work permit be replaced?
Work permit holders who have lost or no longer possess their physical work permit must apply for a replacement.
The application process includes filling out the necessary forms and paying a fee to reprint the work permit.
Can I apply for a work permit when I arrive in Canada?
IRCC advises all newcomers to apply for their work permit before arriving in Canada if needed.
However, some individuals may apply for their work permits at a Canadian port of entry (POE) if they:
- Are from a visa-exempt country
- Are eligible for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or can travel to Canada without a visitor visa
- Meet all other requirements for the specific work permit
Newcomers cannot apply for a work permit at a POE if they:
- Need a visitor visa to enter Canada
- Are applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
- Are citizens of an eligible visa-required country
- Are International Experience Canada (IEC) applicants not from the United States
- Are applying under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
Applicants at a Canadian POE may also need a medical exam to support their application.
