CANADA WORK PERMITS

Working in Canada

Understand work permits, LMIAs, workers' rights and the pathways to permanent residence. Information based on official IRCC and ESDC sources.

Understand your work permit, work in Canada with confidence

7 topics29 articles

Updates

Employer-specific and open work permitsCanada has 2 types of work permits: employer-specific and open. The differences, who can get each and the conditions printed on the permit, per IRCC.
What is an LMIA?An LMIA is what an employer gets from ESDC to show it needs a foreign worker. What it means, who applies, who pays and when it's needed.
LMIA-exempt categories (C16, ICT…)LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program: C16 for French speakers, intra-company transfers, trade agreements, IEC and more.
Who needs a work permit and who doesn'tMost foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. The exemptions listed by IRCC (business visitors, short-term researchers...) and entry visa rules.
How an employer applies for an LMIAHow an employer applies to ESDC for an LMIA: choose the stream, advertise to Canadians first, prove the business is legitimate, apply through LMIA Online.
High-wage and low-wage streamsESDC splits LMIAs into high-wage and low-wage streams using each province's hourly threshold (from July 17, 2026). Differences in duration, duties and caps.

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