Overview
A work permit lets a foreign national work for a specific employer or, in some cases, for any employer in Canada. Which kind applies depends on the job, the employer and your situation, so the first step is to sort out which category you are in.
We explain the main routes: employer-specific permits that rely on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), permits that do not need one, open work permits for spouses and partners, French-language routes, and open work permits for people who are leaving an abusive relationship. The last of these exists to protect people who cannot safely stay with an employer or partner. We handle it with care, in confidence, and at your pace.
Who this suits
- Workers and employers going through an LMIA-based job offer
- Husbands, wives and common-law partners of people who work or study in Canada and may be eligible for an open permit
- French-speaking applicants looking at French-language work routes
- People who need to leave an abusive employer or partner and want to understand an open work permit
- Workers whose permit is ending and who want to know about extensions or changing employer
What to prepare
- A current passport and any permits you hold now
- A written job offer, or the LMIA details if you have them
- Your résumé and a record of your recent work
- Proof of your relationship, if you are applying as a spouse or partner
- Language test results, where they are relevant to your route
- Any letters you have received from the government
How it works
Starting point
We go through your situation and explain the route that appears to fit, and any that do not.
Document review
We list what the application needs and check what you already have.
Application preparation
We prepare the forms and letters with you. You read everything before it is submitted.
Once it is filed
We keep an eye out for government messages and help you answer them within the deadline. If the file is delayed, we review where it stands and explain your options.
Common questions
Not always. Some permits are tied to an employer who has received an LMIA, and others do not need one. We look at your job and your situation and explain which category applies to you.
In some cases a spouse or partner can apply for an open work permit, which is not tied to one employer. Eligibility depends on the main applicant's status, so we check that first.
No consultant can promise an outcome. Final decisions on applications are made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Please contact us. There is an open work permit route for people in this situation, and we will explain it plainly and in confidence. If you are in danger, call 911 first.
