Canada Work Visa Requirements: An Employer’s Guide
Explore Canada work visa requirements for employers, including work permits, visa sponsorship, eligibility criteria, and how to hire compliantly.
Where performance meets possibility
See how Pebl helps you hire, pay, and manage talent anywhere.
Canada work visa requirements start with one simple truth: A job offer doesn’t grant work authorization.
Foreign nationals generally need a valid Canadian work permit to legally work in Canada. That means employers need to apply for the correct permit, complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) when required, and submit supporting documents.
A work permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that authorizes a foreign worker to work legally in the country. Without it, a candidate cannot work in Canada—even with a signed job offer in hand. IRCC considers factors like the applicant’s nationality, occupation, and the employer’s standing.
And while securing the permit is essential to employ someone in Canada, the job offer must also comply with Canadian employment law.
This guide breaks down the main Canadian work visa requirements for employers, including the types of Canadian work permits, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
Types of work permits in Canada
Canada issues two types of work permits: employer-specific and open. Programs such as the Global Talent Stream, International Experience Canada, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program all lead to one of these two permit types. They aren’t separate categories of authorization.
Employer-specific (closed) work permits
Employer-specific permits—also called closed work permits—restrict the worker to the employer, role, location, and period stated on the permit. Most closed permits require the employer to obtain a positive LMIA first, proving that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the position at prevailing wages.
Common ways to secure a closed work permit include:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The standard LMIA-based pathway, used when an employer can demonstrate a genuine labor shortage. The LMIA must show that the hire will not negatively affect Canada’s labor market.
- Global Talent Stream. A fast-track LMIA option within the TFWP for eligible employers hiring certain highly skilled talent. It’s not a separate work permit category.
Employers must also confirm the average salary in Canada for the occupation and work location and comply with provincial or territorial employment standards. Immigration authorization doesn’t replace an employer’s Canadian employment obligations.
Open work permits
An open work permit in Canada allows an eligible individual to work for most employers in the country without linking the authorization to a specific job offer. These work permits are granted only in specific situations.
Common examples include:
- Spousal or family open permits. Available to spouses or common-law partners of eligible high-skilled foreign workers or full-time students at a designated learning institution.
- Bridging open work permits. For permanent residency applicants who need to keep working while waiting on a decision.
- Open permits for vulnerable workers. Issued to eligible employer-specific work permit holders in Canada who experience, or risk experiencing, abuse in the workplace.
When hiring someone with a valid open permit, employers don’t need an LMIA or an IRCC Employer Portal submission. But they must verify the permit’s expiry date and any restrictions before employment begins.
LMIA-exempt work permits
LMIA-exempt work permits aren’t a third permit type. Many are employer-specific but allow employers to hire without proving that no Canadian or permanent resident is available for the role. Employers must still submit an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pay a compliance fee, but they avoid the longer LMIA process.
Common examples of LMIA-exempt closed permits include:
- USMCA professional work permits. For eligible U.S. or Mexican citizens working in eligible occupations in fields such as engineering, science, or finance under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
- Intra-company Transferee (ICT) work permits. For employees relocating to a Canadian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of a multinational company.
- Francophone Mobility work permits. For eligible French-speaking foreign nationals hired outside Quebec without an LMIA in Canada.
Other permits and programs employers may see
When hiring in Canada, employers may encounter candidates with:
- International Experience Canada (IEC). This program offers Working Holiday open permits and employer-specific Young Professionals and International Co-op permits to eligible citizens of partner countries.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Eligible graduates of designated learning institutions in Canada may receive an open work permit. The duration depends on the program and current eligibility rules.
- Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). A TRV is an entry document, not a work permit. Some foreign nationals need one to travel to Canada, but it doesn’t provide work authorization by itself. Employers must confirm that the candidate also holds a valid work permit to employ them legally in Canada.
What is visa sponsorship, and how can employers sponsor someone in Canada?
Canadian employers don’t sponsor workers in the traditional sense.
Visa sponsorship in Canada means one of two things:
- Securing a positive LMIA for an employer-specific work permit.
- Submitting an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal for an LMIA-exempt category.
Both routes require the employer to prove that the hire is legitimate and, where an LMIA applies, that the position couldn’t be filled locally at fair market pay. The candidate submits the work permit application and pays the applicant fees. The employer pays its own LMIA or compliance fee and provides the required employment records.
What are the requirements for a Canada work visa?
A Canada work visa is an informal term for a work permit—the document that authorizes legal employment for a foreign national. Eligibility depends on permit type, but every applicant must meet a baseline set of requirements before IRCC approves a work permit.
General eligibility criteria
These baseline criteria generally apply to applicants in every permit category. They are in addition to the route-specific eligibility and document requirements listed in the table below.
To qualify for a work permit in Canada, foreign nationals typically must:
- Show sufficient funds for their stay and return travel.
- Prove intent to leave Canada once their permit expires.
- Meet admissibility requirements, including no criminal record and no security concerns.
- Pass a medical exam, if required.
- Provide the documents required for their specific permit category.
IRCC may refuse an application for inadmissibility, misrepresentation, security concerns, or plans to work for an employer on the ineligible employer list.
The table below summarizes the main pathways. Fees are listed in Canadian dollars and may change, so both applicants and employers should confirm the latest amounts before filing an application.
| Route | Eligibility Criteria | Required Documents | Permit Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer-specific (closed) permits | Job offer, positive LMIA, and qualifications for the role | Passport / Job offer / LMIA information or Employer Portal offer number | Set by IRCC depending on the pathway and supporting documents; generally one to two years; often renewable | Applicant: $155 + $85 biometrics (if required) Employer: $1,000 per LMIA position in most streams |
| Open work permits | Qualifying relationship, status, or program eligibility; no job offer required | Passport / Proof of qualifying relationship, status, or program eligibility | Program-specific | Worker: $155 + $100 open-permit fee + $85 biometrics (if required) |
| Specialized and LMIA-exempt | Eligibility under USMCA, ICT, or Francophone Mobility | Passport / Job offer / Employer Portal offer number (if required) | Depends on the exemption, offer, and IRCC decision; generally up to three years | Worker: $155 + $85 biometrics (if required) Employer: $230 compliance fee in most cases |
| Other | Program rules for nationality, age, education, family status, or immigration stage | Passport Proof of program eligibility Entry documents (if required) | Varies by program, country agreement, and passport validity; PGWPs may be valid for up to three years | Program and permit fees vary; employer compliance fee may apply |
Specific requirements for U.S. citizens
U.S. citizenship doesn’t automatically grant Canadian work authorization. But, the USMCA—called the CUSMA in Canada—creates LMIA-exempt routes for eligible U.S. citizens.
An applicant generally needs a job offer from a company hiring in Canada in a qualifying occupation and must demonstrate the education or credentials required for that occupation. The employer must still complete any applicable Employer Portal steps before the candidate applies. USMCA removes the LMIA requirement, but not the need to qualify for a permit.
How to apply for a Canada work permit
Canada work permit application steps differ by program and by the applicant’s location. Employers should check IRCC’s current processing times before setting an employee’s start date.
Most applications involve these steps:
- Confirm the route. The employer determines whether the role requires an LMIA, qualifies for an LMIA-exempt stream, or can be filled by someone with an open work permit. The employee confirms their eligibility.
- Complete employer requirements. The employer obtains the LMIA or submits the offer through the Employer Portal, pays the applicable employer fee, and gives the employee the contract and required reference number.
- Submit the work permit application. The employee applies through the appropriate IRCC process and pays the applicable work permit, open permit, and biometrics fees. The employer assists by providing supporting documentation.
- Complete final requirements. The employee provides biometrics, medical and police records, or other requested information. Once authorization is issued, the employer can confirm the start date and set up payroll, employee benefits, and workers’ compensation coverage.
How Pebl can help you hire compliantly in Canada
Hiring in Canada doesn’t end with just a work permit. Immigration filings, payroll setup, and local employment obligations often sit with different providers—and a single incorrect assumption about LMIA eligibility or a missing submission can stall a hire.
Pebl simplifies international hiring for both employers and applicants. Our Global Immigration team supports assessments, visa and work permit applications, and ongoing compliance. That support continues through our Employer of Record, which acts as the legal employer in Canada so you don’t have to set up a local entity. Plus, a team of local experts manages everything, from contracts and payroll to benefits and statutory requirements.
Pebl connects the work that usually gets split between providers, giving your HR team a single path from candidate selection to compliant employment, with fewer handoffs and less room for delay.
Contact Pebl to hire compliantly in Canada.
FAQ
What is the difference between a work visa and a work permit in Canada?
A work permit authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada. A visa, if required, allows them to enter the country. Depending on nationality, some applicants need both.
Do I need an LMIA to get a Canada work permit?
Not always. Employer-specific permits under the TFWP typically require one. USMCA professional workers, intra-company transfers, and most open work permits are LMIA-exempt.
How can an employer help sponsor a foreign employee’s Canada work visa?
Employers can secure a positive LMIA or submit an offer through the Employer Portal, then provide a formal job offer and any documentation IRCC requests. The employee still submits the bulk of the application.
Can a Canada work permit lead to permanent residency?
Yes, it can. Canadian work experience counts toward programs like the Canadian Experience Class under Express Entry. Workers awaiting a decision can often continue working on a bridging open work permit.
How much does a Canada work permit cost?
Workers generally pay a $155 processing fee plus $85 for biometrics. Employers pay a $1,000 LMIA fee or a $230 compliance fee for LMIA-exempt categories. Most open-permit applicants pay an additional $100 fee.
Draft compliant contracts in minutes
Tell us where you are hiring and we will map the fastest compliant path, all through one point of contact.
