Work In Canada

Most job positions require that the foreign worker have a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from a Canadian employer and a Work Permit, however there are some positions that require only a Work Permit as they are LMIA exempt and others that do not require a Work Permit at all.

To find out if an LMIA and / or a Work Permit is required, please see the below categories;

Positions that require a LMIA in addition to a Work Permit

In the majority of cases the Canadian employer must apply and receive a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring a foreign worker. This requirement is set in place by the Canadian Government to ensure that there is no qualified Canadian workers for the position and to ensure that the foreign worker will be given a wage and benefits that meet with the applicable Federal and Provincial standards. 

Canadian employers must provide proof that hey have attempted to find qualified Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents to fill job vacancies before hiring foreign workers to fill these job vacancies. 

LMIA Exempt Positions

There are some special cases where a Positive LMIA is not required in order for a foreigner to apply for a Work Permit, however it is important to note that being exempt from obtaining a LMIA does not mean that the foreign worker is exempt from obtaining a Work Permit. All categories on the LMIA exemption list still require the foreign worker to obtain a Work Permit in order to work in Canada. 

The following categories are exempt from requiring a positive LMIA and therefore a Work Permit can be processed without the LMIA.

International Agreement (NAFTA, GATS, Canada Columbia FTA and Canada Peru FTA)
Entrepreneurs and Self Employed Candidates
International Exchange Programs
Spouse and Dependents of Foreign Workers
French Speaking Skilled Workers
Religious Workers
Academics
Provincial LMIA Exemptions

Work Without a Permit

There are many occupations where a Work Permit is not required. The below listing of occupations do not require a Work Permit;

• Athletes and Team Members
• Aviation Accident or incident inspectors
• Business Visitor 
• Clergy
• Convention Organizers
• Crew
• Emergency Service Providers
• Examiners and Evaluators
• Expert Witnesses or Investigators
• Foreign Government Officers
• Foreign Representatives and Family Members of Foreign Representatives
• Health Care Students
• Implied Status
• Judges, Referees and similar officials 
• Military Personnel 
• News Reporters and Media Crew
• On Campus Employment and Some Off Campus Work
• Performing Artists 
• Public Speakers

Open Work Permit (OWP)

An Open Work Permit allows a foreign national to work in any job, without restrictions. A LMIA or confirmed offer of employment is not needed to apply for an Open Work Permit.

Foreign spouses or Common Law Partners of Temporary Foreign Workers, Foreign Students and Spouses or Common Law Partners  being sponsored through the Inland Spousal or Common Law Partner Sponsorship category are eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit.

Graduating International Students are also eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit under the Post Graduate Work Permit Program.

International Experience Canada (IEC) candidates under the Working Holiday category are also eligible for an Open Work Permit. 

Please refer to the Open Work Permit (OWP) Section for more information.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a way to keep a worker in Canada working while his / her application for Permanent Residency is being processed. 

In Canada applicants who have made an application to immigrate to Canada under either the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class, the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) class, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) may be considered for a Bridging Open Work Permit if their current Work Permit is due to expire within four months. A foreign worker legally working in Canada who has made, or will soon make, an application for Permanent Residence under one of these economic immigration programs ,may then continue to work until a decision is made on his / her application for Permanent Residence. 

Please refer to the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) section for more information. 

International Experience Class (IEC)

The IEC is a program designed touring younger adults and youth into Canada on a temporary basis to work. 

Citizens of countries with a bilateral youth mobility arrangement with Canada who are between the ages of 18 and 35 may be eligible for IEC Work Permits.

The International Experience Class (IEC) is composed of three categories;
1. Working Holiday
2. Young Professionals
3. International Co-op 

Please refer to the International Experience Class (IEC) section for more information. 

Work While Studying

Full time students who are enrolled at an institution may work at that institutions campus in any job without a Work Permit. Students may work at more than one campus of an institution, provided that they are in the same municipality. Student may enrolled in any course to be eligible however they MUST be full time students. 

Students working as graduate, research or teaching assistants may work off campus at locations related to their research grants. These locations must have a formal association or affiliation with the learning institution. This may include hospitals, clinics and research institutes. 

​Please refer to the Work While Studying section for more information.