Work
Work Visa – Work in Canada Temporarily
A Work Visa (also called a work permit) allows foreign nationals to work in Canada. Canada offers a range of work visa options depending on the type of job, skill level, and the applicant’s situation.
Open Work Permit
- Description: Allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for those with conditions like not hiring temporary foreign workers.
- Eligibility: Often granted to spouses of skilled workers or international students, as well as other specific situations.
- No Job Offer Required: You do not need a job offer to apply for an open work permit.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
- Description: Allows you to work only for a specific employer in Canada and for a specific role.
- Eligibility: Requires a job offer from a Canadian employer who will also need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) (or you may be exempt from this requirement depending on the circumstances).
- Conditions: You must follow the conditions listed on your permit, such as job type, location, and employer.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
- Description: Allows international students who have completed a program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to work in Canada for up to 3 years.
- Eligibility: You must have completed a full-time program of at least 8 months in duration and apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving your final transcript.
International Mobility Program (IMP)
- Description: A work permit exemption for certain types of jobs that do not require an LMIA.
- Eligibility: Jobs that benefit Canada culturally or economically, such as intra-company transferees, certain NAFTA roles, and more.
