Work Permit
Canada offers two main work-permit streams: employer-specific permits (often requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment) and open work permits. Within those are dozens of pathways with different eligibility, fees, and processing times.
Reminder: IRCC.com is an independent news and information site — we do not handle applications or give advice. Verify all program details on canada.ca. For personal advice, contact a CICC-licensed consultant or a Canadian immigration lawyer.
What this section covers
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — process, fees, refusal reasons
- LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP)
- Common IMP codes: C10, C11, C12, C13, C16, C61–C63, R205
- Global Talent Stream (GTS) — 2-week processing pathway
- Intra-Company Transferees (ICT)
- CUSMA / USMCA professional categories
- International Experience Canada (IEC) — Working Holiday, Young Professionals, Co-op
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — eligibility 2024+
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
- Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
- Recognized Employer Pilot (REP)
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Francophone Mobility (C16)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between LMIA-based and LMIA-exempt work permits?
LMIA-based permits require an employer to first prove no Canadian worker is available; this is a Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) requirement. LMIA-exempt permits are issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP) for situations covered by trade agreements, reciprocal benefit, or significant economic/cultural benefit.
Who is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
PGWP eligibility now depends on the type of credential, the field of study (some bachelor's-level programs require linked-occupation eligibility), and DLI accreditation. Verify the current PGWP-eligible field-of-study list on canada.ca before applying.
Latest in Work Permit
5 articles — sourced from canada.ca and explained.
International Experience Canada (IEC) 2025: country quotas, eligibility, and Working Holiday strategy
International Experience Canada (IEC) is Canada's youth mobility program offering Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op work permits to 18-35 year-olds from 40+ partner countries. This guide covers 2025 quotas, top source countries, application strategies,
Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) 2024-2025 changes: who still qualifies after the January 2025 restrictions
On January 21, 2025, IRCC restricted Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) eligibility. Spouses of international students and most temporary foreign workers no longer automatically qualify. This guide explains the new rules: who still qualifies (TEER 0/1 only, in most cases), exceptions
Canada-Finland Youth Mobility Agreement: New IEC Pathway for Finnish Youth
On February 9, 2024, Canada and Finland launched a new Youth Mobility Agreement that allows Finnish youth aged 18-35 to participate in Canada's International Experience Canada (IEC) program with three streams: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op Internsh
International Experience Canada (IEC): Working Holiday and Youth Mobility Visas
International Experience Canada (IEC) lets youth from over 35 partner countries work and travel in Canada for up to 24 months under three streams: Working Holiday (open work permit), Young Professionals (employer-specific), and International Co-op Internship.
Canadian Work Permit: LMIA, IMP, IEC, and Open Permits Explained
A Canadian work permit lets a foreign national work for a Canadian employer for a defined period. There are two main streams: employer-specific permits (Temporary Foreign Worker Program, requiring an LMIA) and the International Mobility Program (IMP, no LMIA required). Open permi
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