Reminder, our office is by appointment only. We accept online bookings or in-person meetings.
Work in Canada
This is an open work permit for international students that have graduated from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada. Eligible schools are public post-secondary schools and private degree-granting schools, CEGEP and other eligible insititutions in Quebec. The duration varies depending on the program length from 8 months to 3 years.
These programs are work permits under the following international agreements such as NAFTA, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Korea, CETA.
An LMIA is a document issued by Service Canada that confirms an employer is eligible to hire a foreign worker. It is based on an assessment of the current labour market conditions and an employer’s efforts to hire Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents.
These programs offer individuals from certain countries a chance to work in Canada through the Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op programs. Youth is defined as individuals from 18-35 (30 for some countries).
Options exist for some work permit holders who have applied for Permanent Residency in Canada to apply and receive open work permits while waiting for the decision on the permanent residency in Canada application. Eligible PR programs are: Provincial Nominees, FSW, CEC, FST, etc.
Individuals who habitually speak French may be eligible for work permits without the employer requiring an LMIA.
Spouses of some international students, spouses of skilled workers and spouses of provincial nominees are eligible for open work permits in Canada
A work permit or work visa is permission to take a job within Canada. Also, there are 2 types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.
Open work permits
Employer-specific work permits
An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:
-
who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions or
-
who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages
An employer-specific work permit allows you to work according to the conditions on your work permit, which include:
-
the name of the employer you can work for
-
how long you can work
-
the location where you can work (if applicable)
Eligibility requirements if you apply from outside Canada
Anyone can apply before they enter Canada. However, there may be visa office requirements that you need to meet depending on what country or territory you’re applying from.
Eligibility requirements if you apply from inside Canada
You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if
-
you have a valid study or work permit;
-
your spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study or work permit;
-
you’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid;
-
you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more;
-
you’re waiting on a decision on an application for permanent residence from inside Canada;
-
you made a claim for refugee protection;
-
you’ve been recognized as a convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada;
-
you’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but you need a work permit to work in a different job (this does not apply to business visitors); or
-
you’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Book your appointment now to find out what kind of work permit you can apply for.