How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada: Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for a Canadian work permit involves more than completing an online form. The correct process depends on the type of work permit, whether an LMIA or LMIA exemption applies, where the applicant is applying from and the applicant’s individual circumstances. This guide explains the work permit application process from choosing the correct pathway and preparing documents to fees, biometrics, submission, approval and arrival in Canada.
1. How Does the Canadian Work Permit Application Process Work?
The Canadian work permit process begins by identifying the legal basis that allows the foreign national to work in Canada.
Depending on the case, the applicant may need:
- an employer-specific work permit supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA);
- an employer-specific work permit under an LMIA exemption;
- an open work permit under an eligible immigration category; or
- no work permit at all if the activity falls within a specific work-permit exemption.
Once the correct pathway is identified, the employer completes any required employer-side steps and the foreign national prepares and submits the work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Completing a work permit application form does not establish eligibility. The applicant should first determine which work permit category applies and what evidence is needed to establish its requirements.
For the broader legal framework, see the Work Permit Canada: Requirements & Complete Guide .
2. Step 1 — Determine Which Work Permit You Need
The first step is determining the correct type of work authorization.
Employer-specific work permit
An employer-specific permit generally authorizes work for the employer and under the employment conditions stated on the permit.
It may be supported by either a positive LMIA or an applicable LMIA exemption.
See the Employer-Specific Work Permit Canada guide .
Open work permit
An open work permit is not tied to one specific employer, but it is available only to foreign nationals who qualify under an authorized open work permit category.
See the Open Work Permit Canada guide .
3. Step 2 — Confirm Work Permit Eligibility
After identifying the potential work permit category, confirm that both the category-specific and general immigration requirements are met.
Depending on the application, relevant issues can include:
- the proposed employment;
- the applicant's qualifications;
- the employer and job offer;
- the applicable LMIA or LMIA exemption;
- the applicant's immigration status;
- temporary residence requirements;
- medical admissibility;
- criminal and security admissibility; and
- other requirements of the specific work permit category.
Review the broader requirements in Canada Work Permit Eligibility: Who Can Apply? .
4. Step 3 — Complete the Employer-Side Process
Employer-specific work permits generally require an employer-side step before the worker submits the work permit application.
LMIA-required employment
If an LMIA is required, the employer generally applies to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada.
If the LMIA is positive, the employer provides the worker with the documentation needed for the work permit application.
See the LMIA Work Permit Canada guide .
LMIA-exempt employer-specific employment
For most employer-specific applications under the International Mobility Program, the employer must submit the offer of employment through IRCC's Employer Portal and pay the employer compliance fee unless an exemption applies.
The employer then provides the worker with the offer of employment number, which normally begins with the letter “A” followed by seven digits.
See the LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada guide .
Where an LMIA or Employer Portal submission is required, the worker should not treat it as something that can normally be completed after the work permit application has already been submitted.
5. Step 4 — Determine Where You Can Apply
Work permit procedures differ depending on whether the foreign national applies:
- from outside Canada;
- from inside Canada; or
- at a Canadian port of entry.
Applicants should not assume they can freely choose among these three options.
Applying from outside Canada
A foreign national who requires work authorization before coming to Canada will commonly apply from outside Canada.
Applying from inside Canada
Most people cannot simply apply for an initial work permit from inside Canada. The applicant must fall within one of the situations in which an inside-Canada work permit application is permitted.
Applying at a port of entry
Most foreign nationals cannot apply for a work permit at a port of entry. Even where a person is eligible to do so, IRCC recommends applying before travelling to Canada.
Being physically present in Canada does not automatically make a foreign national eligible to submit a work permit application from inside Canada.
6. Applying for a Work Permit From Outside Canada
Applicants outside Canada generally follow IRCC's outside-Canada work permit application process.
The applicant normally:
- confirms the work permit category and eligibility;
- obtains the required employer-side documentation, where applicable;
- creates or signs in to an IRCC secure account;
- answers the online questions and receives a personalized document checklist;
- uploads the required forms and supporting documents;
- pays the applicable fees;
- submits the application; and
- completes biometrics, medical or other post-submission requirements where applicable.
IRCC currently requires most applicants to apply online. Paper applications are limited to specified circumstances.
7. Applying for a Work Permit From Inside Canada
Eligibility to submit a work permit application from within Canada is restricted.
Current IRCC rules permit inside-Canada applications in specified circumstances, which can include certain people who:
- hold a valid work permit;
- hold a valid study permit;
- have an eligible spouse, common-law partner or parent with valid work or study authorization;
- qualify for a post-graduation work permit while their study permit remains valid;
- fall within specified permanent residence situations;
- have been recognized as a Convention refugee or protected person; or
- fall within another category specifically permitted by IRCC.
The precise current rule should be checked before relying on an inside-Canada application.
8. Applying for a Work Permit at a Port of Entry
Port-of-entry work permit applications are available only to eligible foreign nationals.
Most people cannot apply at a port of entry, and IRCC advises eligible applicants to apply before travelling to Canada.
A person who is eligible for a port-of-entry application must arrive with the documentation needed to establish both the work permit category and their admissibility.
Depending on the application, this can include:
- a valid passport or travel document;
- LMIA or LMIA-exempt employment documentation;
- evidence of qualifications;
- proof of a completed immigration medical examination where required; and
- other category-specific supporting evidence.
The rules governing port-of-entry applications have been restricted. A person in Canada should not assume that leaving Canada and immediately returning at the border is an available method for obtaining an initial or replacement work permit.
9. Step 5 — Gather the Required Documents
The document package depends on the work permit category and the applicant's circumstances.
Common documents can include:
- a valid passport or travel document;
- the applicable work permit application forms;
- a positive LMIA and employment contract for an LMIA-based application;
- an offer of employment number for most employer-specific LMIA-exempt applications;
- evidence establishing eligibility for an open work permit category;
- proof of education, training, professional credentials or work experience;
- proof of current immigration status where relevant;
- family or relationship evidence where applicable;
- Quebec documentation where required;
- medical examination evidence where required; and
- any additional documents identified by IRCC's personalized or visa-office instructions.
The detailed document-preparation requirements are covered in the Work Permit Documents Checklist .
10. Step 6 — Complete the Work Permit Forms
The required forms depend on where and how the application is submitted.
For an application made from outside Canada, the principal work permit form is generally the Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295).
Additional forms may be required depending on the applicant's circumstances, including family information, common-law declarations, representative forms or other supporting forms.
Applicants should use the current forms and the personalized checklist generated through their IRCC account rather than relying on an old saved application package.
Employment history, education, immigration history, job information and other material facts should be consistent across the forms and supporting evidence. Material discrepancies should be addressed rather than ignored.
11. Step 7 — Upload the Application Online
Most work permit applicants use an IRCC secure account to submit their application online.
After answering the account questionnaire, the applicant receives a personalized checklist and uploads the required forms and documents.
Before submission, verify that:
- all mandatory forms are complete;
- required signatures or validations are done;
- documents are legible;
- translations meet IRCC requirements;
- the correct employer-side information is included;
- supporting evidence establishes the actual work permit category; and
- any explanation needed to reconcile the record is included.
IRCC warns that an application may be refused if required documents or information are missing.
12. Step 8 — Pay the Work Permit Fees
The current standard federal work permit processing fee is $155 per applicant, subject to applicable exemptions.
An applicant requesting an open work permit generally also pays the $100 open work permit holder fee, unless exempt.
| Fee | Current amount |
|---|---|
| Work permit processing | $155 |
| Open work permit holder fee | $100 |
| Biometrics — individual | $85 |
| Biometrics — eligible family maximum | $170 |
Some applicants or categories are exempt from some or all of these fees.
Employer-side costs, such as an LMIA processing fee or an International Mobility Program employer compliance fee, are separate from the worker's application fees.
13. Step 9 — Complete Biometrics if Required
Some work permit applicants must provide fingerprints and a photograph as part of the immigration process.
Where biometrics are required after an online application, IRCC generally issues a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL).
The applicant should then arrange collection at an authorized biometrics location within the applicable deadline.
Biometrics requirements and validity should be checked for the individual applicant. IRCC notes that biometrics that expire too soon can affect the period for which a work permit can be issued.
14. Step 10 — Complete a Medical Exam if Required
Whether an immigration medical examination is required depends on factors including the applicant's intended work, length of stay and residence or travel history.
Medical examinations are particularly important for certain occupations involving public health, including specified work in health services, child care and primary or secondary education.
Agricultural workers can also require a medical examination depending on their residence history and the applicable rules.
Where a medical examination is required, it must be completed through an IRCC-designated panel physician.
Medical requirements will be covered in detail in the dedicated Work Permit Medical Exam cluster rather than duplicated here.
15. What Happens After You Submit the Application?
After submission, IRCC reviews the application and may require additional steps before making a decision.
Depending on the case, the applicant may receive:
- a biometrics instruction letter;
- medical examination instructions;
- a request for additional documents;
- a procedural fairness letter;
- an interview request;
- a passport request where applicable; or
- a final decision.
Applicants should monitor their IRCC account and contact information throughout processing and respond to requests within the stated deadline.
16. How Long Does a Work Permit Application Take?
There is no single processing time for all Canadian work permit applications.
Processing can vary according to factors such as:
- where the application is processed;
- the work permit category;
- application volume;
- application completeness;
- biometrics;
- medical requirements;
- background or security checks;
- document verification; and
- requests for additional information.
Published processing times are estimates rather than guaranteed decision dates.
Current processing information should be checked close to the date of application.
17. What Happens if an Outside-Canada Application Is Approved?
Approval of an outside-Canada application does not normally mean that the physical work permit is mailed to the applicant abroad.
An approved applicant generally receives a port of entry letter of introduction, sometimes informally called a work permit approval letter.
The applicant travels to Canada with the required documents and presents them to the border services officer.
The port of entry letter confirms that IRCC approved the application, but it does not itself authorize employment and does not guarantee admission to Canada.
18. Do You Need a TRV or eTA With a Work Permit?
A work permit and a travel document serve different purposes.
Depending on nationality and travel circumstances, a foreign worker may require a temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.
For an approved outside-Canada work permit application, IRCC indicates that if the applicant requires a TRV or eTA, they do not normally submit a separate application or pay an additional fee for it as part of that process.
A work permit does not replace a required TRV or eTA, and a TRV or eTA does not authorize employment in Canada.
19. Arriving in Canada After Work Permit Approval
A foreign national approved from outside Canada should travel with the documents needed for examination at the Canadian port of entry.
These can include:
- a valid passport or travel document;
- the port of entry letter of introduction;
- a copy of the LMIA, where applicable;
- the offer of employment information, where applicable;
- employment documents;
- evidence of qualifications where relevant;
- medical examination evidence where relevant; and
- any other documents needed to establish continuing eligibility and admissibility.
The border services officer makes the final decision on admission and, where the requirements are met, issues the work permit.
The worker should inspect the permit immediately and verify important information such as the name, employer, occupation, location, expiry date and conditions, as applicable.
20. What if the Work Permit Application Is Refused?
A work permit can be refused even where an employer has obtained a positive LMIA or completed an Employer Portal submission.
IRCC separately assesses whether the foreign national meets the applicable immigration requirements.
If an application is refused, the appropriate response depends on the reasons and circumstances. Options may include:
- correcting a remediable problem and reapplying;
- providing stronger evidence in a new application;
- requesting reconsideration in an appropriate case; or
- considering judicial review where there is a reviewable legal or procedural issue.
A new application should address the reason for refusal rather than simply resubmitting the same evidence.
21. Common Work Permit Application Mistakes
Applying under the wrong work permit category
The application should begin with the correct legal basis for work authorization.
Submitting before the employer process is complete
An LMIA or Employer Portal step may need to be completed before the worker applies.
Assuming a job offer guarantees approval
A job offer does not remove the worker's own eligibility and admissibility requirements.
Using incomplete or inconsistent documents
Material discrepancies between forms, employment evidence and immigration history can undermine the application.
Applying from the wrong location
Not everyone in Canada can submit an inside-Canada application, and most people cannot apply at a port of entry.
Ignoring medical requirements
Failure to complete a required medical examination can delay processing or restrict the work a person is authorized to perform.
Confusing approval with entry
An outside-Canada approval and letter of introduction do not guarantee admission at the Canadian border.
22. Work Permit Application Checklist
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Correct work permit category | Determines the legal basis and evidence required. |
| General eligibility confirmed | Category eligibility alone may not be sufficient. |
| Employer process complete | LMIA or Employer Portal steps may be required first. |
| Correct application location | Inside-Canada and POE applications are restricted. |
| Current forms completed | Outdated or incomplete forms can create processing problems. |
| Supporting documents complete | Evidence must establish the work permit requirements. |
| Correct fees paid | Fee requirements depend on the permit type. |
| Biometrics addressed | Biometrics may be required before a decision. |
| Medical requirements addressed | Medical requirements can affect processing and permit conditions. |
| Forms and evidence consistent | Material inconsistencies can raise credibility or eligibility issues. |
23. Canada Work Permit Application FAQs
How do I apply for a work permit in Canada?
First identify the correct work permit category, complete any required employer-side process, prepare the forms and supporting documents, pay the applicable fees and submit the application through the appropriate IRCC process.
Can I apply for a Canadian work permit online?
Yes. Most applicants currently apply online through an IRCC secure account. Paper applications are limited to specified circumstances.
Do I need a job offer before applying?
Employer-specific work permits generally involve a Canadian employer and job offer. An eligible open work permit applicant may not need a specific job offer.
Do I need an LMIA?
It depends on the work permit category. Some employer-specific permits require a positive LMIA, while others qualify for an LMIA exemption. Open work permits do not require an LMIA.
How much is a Canadian work permit application?
The standard work permit processing fee is currently $155. Open work permit applicants generally pay an additional $100 open work permit holder fee. Biometrics can also be required.
Can I apply for a work permit from inside Canada?
Only if you fall within a category permitted to apply from inside Canada. Physical presence in Canada alone is not enough.
Can I apply for a work permit at the Canadian border?
Only certain eligible foreign nationals can apply at a port of entry. Most people cannot, and IRCC recommends applying before travelling to Canada.
Is a work permit issued before I travel to Canada?
For an application approved from outside Canada, the applicant generally receives a port of entry letter of introduction. The physical work permit is normally issued when the person enters Canada and continues to meet the requirements.
Does a work permit approval guarantee entry to Canada?
No. The border services officer makes the final determination on admission when the foreign national arrives.
Do I need a separate visitor visa after work permit approval?
If a TRV or eTA is required for an approved outside-Canada work permit applicant, IRCC generally issues the required travel document as part of the process rather than requiring a separate application and additional fee.
Can a work permit application be refused after a positive LMIA?
Yes. A positive LMIA addresses the employer-side labour-market process. IRCC separately determines whether the foreign national qualifies for the work permit.
Work permit eligibility, application procedures, forms, fees, biometrics, medical requirements and rules about where an application may be submitted can change. Confirm the current requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before applying.
Work Permits — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada