You’re working on a film or television production

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if:

• your work is essential to the film production,
• the production will create and maintain significant economic benefits for Canadians and permanent residents, and
• your job is high wage and unionized.

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.
Note: If your job is at the NOC 0 (managerial, executive) or NOC A (professional) level, you may be eligible for two-week application processing.

 

You're an academic

You may be a:

• researcher,
• guest lecturer,
• visiting professor,
• post-doctoral fellow,
• award recipient, or
• other type of academic.

The majority of your work in Canada must be teaching or research. Based on your answer, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

Note: If your job is at the NOC 0 (managerial, executive) or NOC A (professional) level, you may be eligible for two-week application processing.

 

You're a co-op student

You’re an international student studying in Canada and doing co-op work placements or internships as part of your study program.

Based on your answer, you may be eligible for a co-op work permit, which is an open work permit that lists the institution or school as your employer.

 

You're a repair or maintenance worker for industrial or commercial equipment

Based on your answer, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if:

• you need to enter Canada to make emergency repairs to industrial equipment or repairs to out-of-warranty equipment,
• failure to complete these repairs could result in a disruption of employment for Canadians, and
• you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

 

You’re a religious worker

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit. You don’t need a labour market impact assessment.

You’re a religious worker if you

• provide religious instructions
• promote a faith
• share the beliefs of the religious community where you’ll work, and follow the spiritual teachings of its faith

Examples of religious workers include:

• liturgical workers
• nuns, monks, and religious brothers and sisters
• religious education teacher in a religion-based school

Before you apply
Make sure you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you can apply, your employer must

submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada using the Employer Portal
pay the employer compliance fee, unless you qualify for a fee exemption, and
give you the offer of employment number

Who’s eligible for a fee exemption

You may be exempt from paying the work permit processing fee if you won’t be paid, other than

• a small payment for living expenses, or
• non-monetary benefits (such as room and board, health-care insurance)

In some cases, you may receive a small payment and non-monetary benefits and still be exempt from paying the work permit processing fee.

If you’re exempt from paying the work permit processing fee, your employer will also be exempt from paying the employer compliance fee. If they’re exempt, they still need to submit an offer of employment in the Employer Portal.

If your employer doesn’t show how you’re exempt from paying the work permit processing fee, you and your employer will be required to pay all fees.

 

You're a professional athlete or coach

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if Canadians would also be able to work as professional athletes or coaches in your home country.

You must:

be a professional athlete or coach for a Canadian team, and
meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.
Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
provide you with an offer of employment number.
Note: If your job is at the NOC 0 (managerial, executive) or NOC A (professional) level, you may be eligible for two-week application processing.

If you need to do other work to support yourself while in Canada
You may also be eligible for an open work permit. Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit. You can apply for this permit after you arrive in Canada.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

You're a dancer, actor, orchestral musician or opera singer or someone in a related job

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if you’re a performer or worker in a job related to:

• dance,
• opera,
• orchestral music, or
• live theatre.

In addition, your employer must:

• be a Canadian non-profit performing arts company or organization,
• receive federal funding, and
• show that reciprocal opportunities exist for Canadians and permanent residents abroad in the same discipline.

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

You will work for:

• a foreign diplomatic mission or consular post
• an international organization
• a foreign government
• an owner or operator of an international bridge or tunnel

If this describes you, you may be an eligible for an employer-specific work permit. In this case, your employer is exempt from employer compliance requirements.

 

You’re conducting research at certain Canadian institutions

Based on your answer, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if you will:

• work temporarily for the International Development Research Centre of Canada,
• be sponsored by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. as a distinguished scientist or post-doctoral fellow,
• be sponsored by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) or the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) as a distinguished scientist or scholar coming to participate in
• research for these organizations, or
• hold a research chair position at a Canadian university.

Research chairs must be nominated for their research excellence, and their position must be partially or wholly funded by federal or provincial governments.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of Intended Work in Canada” section.

 

You’re an entrepreneur

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if you intend to operate a business in Canada that would create or maintain:

• significant social, cultural or economic benefits, or
• jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

You must also meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, you must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• get an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of Intended Work in Canada” section.

 

You’re an agricultural worker

Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
If you are hired through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), you can work for any SAWP employer in Canada.

Who can apply
You can qualify for the program if:

you’re a citizen of a country that takes part in the program,
your government recruited you, and
you’ll be working for SAWP employers in Canada.
Participating countries
How to apply
Each foreign government has its own process to recruit and select workers. Your government will make sure that you have all of the needed documents and that you are eligible for the program.

Paying your fees
Your fees and payment options depend on where you are applying from. You may also need to pay for biometrics.

Find out how to pay your fees.

Working for different employers
You may be asked to work on more than one farm while you’re in Canada. You don’t need a new work permit for each employer.

Note: You can’t be asked to work for a different employer without your consent.

Other agricultural workers
Your work permit will be employer-specific. This means that you can only work for the employer named on your work permit.

Before you apply
Your employer must get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is a document from Service Canada that allows an employer to hire a foreign worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Your employer must give you:

a copy of the positive LMIA, and
your job offer letter or contract.

 

You’re a worker whose employer is applying to hire you through the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Based on your answers, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit. Your employer must get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that identifies your eligibility in the Global Talent Stream before you submit your application.

An LMIA is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada that allows an employer to hire a foreign worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must give you:

• a copy of the positive LMIA
• your job offer letter or contract

You must also meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

As a worker being hired through the Global Talent Stream, you can benefit from two-week processing of your application.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Labour Market Impact Assessment Stream” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

 

You’re a charitable worker

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit. You don’t need a labour market impact assessment.

You’re a charitable worker if your main duties will directly help to relieve poverty, advance education or address another community need and

• you’re being paid, or
• you’re doing an activity that is normally a paid job or would be valuable work experience for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Examples include

• cooking at homeless shelters
• providing prenatal instructions to low-income families who cannot afford it
• providing 24/7 residential care in a group home setting to people who have developmental disabilities
• a professional carpenter working on a Habitat for Humanity project

Exclusion:

An office manager working at the head office of a national charitable organization would not be considered a charitable worker.
Before you apply
You must meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Special instructions to apply online

When you apply online, we’ll ask you some questions to create your personalized document checklist. Depending on where you’re applying from, you must provide specific answers to get the right checklist.

Applying online from outside CanadaApplying online from inside CanadaHow to find out if you’re fee exempt
In most cases, you must pay the work permit processing fee and your employer has to pay the employer compliance fee.

You may be exempt from paying the work permit processing fee if you won’t be paid, other than

a small payment for living expenses, or
non-monetary benefits (such as room and board, health-care insurance)
In some cases, you may receive a small payment and non-monetary benefits and still be exempt from paying the work permit processing fee.

If you’re exempt from paying the work permit processing fee, your employer will also be exempt from paying the employer compliance fee ($230), but they are still required to submit an offer of employment in the Employer Portal.

If your employer doesn’t show how you meet the fee exemption, you and your employer will be required to pay all fees.

 

You’re a camp counsellor

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit. You don’t need a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) if you’re an overnight camp counsellor.

• At an overnight camp, campers and the camp counsellors stay overnight at the camp.Overnight/residential camp counsellors do not need an LMIA.
• At a day camp, campers go home each day.Counsellors at day camps need an LMIA to apply for a work permit, and must pay all applicable fees.

You’re a camp counsellor if your main duties include supervising and guiding children in summer camp activities, and leading sports, crafts, games and other recreational activities.

Examples include

• planning and organizing activities
• guiding and teaching outdoor activities
• ensuring the children’s safety and monitoring their activities
• supervising the children during meals
• instructing children in daily routines and cleanup tasks

Before you apply You must meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

 

Overnight/residential camp counsellors

Before you apply, your employer must do all of the following:

• submit an offer of employment to IRCC using the Employer Portal
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee
• give you the offer of employment number

 

Day camp counsellors

Before you apply, your employer must give you both of the following:

• a copy of the positive LMIA
• your job offer letter or contract

 

Special instructions to apply online

When you apply online, we’ll ask you some questions to create your personalized document checklist. Depending on where you’re applying from, you must provide specific answers to get the right checklist.

Applying online from outside CanadaApplying online from inside CanadaHow to find out if you’re fee exempt
In most cases, you have to pay the work permit processing fee.

You may be exempt from paying the work permit processing fee if you’re working for a charitable or religious organization and you won’t be paid, other than one of the following:

small payments for living expenses
non-monetary benefits (such as room and board, health-care insurance)
In some cases, you may receive a small payment and non-monetary benefits and still be exempt from paying the work permit processing fee.

Overnight/residential camp counsellors
If you’re exempt from paying the work permit processing fee, your employer will also be exempt from paying the employer compliance fee ($230), but they’re still required to submit an offer of employment in the Employer Portal.

If your employer does not show how you meet the fee exemption, you and your employer will be required to pay all fees.

 

You’re aged 18-35 and would like to travel and work under International Experience Canada

You may be eligible for a work permit under one or more of International Experience Canada (IEC)’s three categories:

• Working Holiday (open work permit). Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit.
• International Co-op (Internship) (employer-specific work permit)
• Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit)

 

You've received a commitment certificate for the Start-up Visa program

Based on your answer, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit.

Follow the instructions for applicants to apply for a work permit for Start-Up Visa Business Class Permanent Resident Visa Applicants.

Note: If your job is at the NOC 0 (managerial, executive) or NOC A (professional) level, you may be eligible for two-week application processing.

 

You've applied for permanent residence under Express Entry

You may be eligible for an open work permit if:

• you’re already working in Canada,
• your work permit is due to expire within four months, and
• you’ve applied for permanent residence under one of the following:
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • Canadian Experience Class
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Provincial Nominee Program

You may be eligible for a special type of open work permit called a bridging open work permit.

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

When you apply for your open work permit, you must provide certain supporting documents or your application will be refused.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section. Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit.

You’ve already applied, or you’re now applying for permanent residence on paper

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit or a regular open work permit.

Bridging open work permit

You may be eligible for a bridging open work permit if

• you’re already working in Canada
• your work permit is due to expire within 4 months, and
• your paper application has been found complete or has received a positive eligibility assessment under one of the following
  • Provincial Nominee Program
  • Caring for Children Class
  • Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class
  • Agri-Food Pilot

You must also meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

When you apply for your open work permit, leave the employer section of the application blank. You must provide certain supporting documents or your application will be refused.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open work permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

 

Regular open work permit

You may be eligible for a regular open work permit if

• you’re applying or have already applied for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class, or
• you’ve applied for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds and your application has been approved in principle

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open work permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section. Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit.

 

You're a provincial nominee who has not yet applied for permanent residence

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if you’re a provincial nominee who has:

• a letter from the provincial government confirming that the province has nominated you for permanent residence,
• a job offer from an employer based in that province, and
• a statement from the province that identifies the job and employer and states that:you’re urgently needed by your employer, who has offered you a job in that province or territory;
  
  • the job offer is genuine and the job offer will create economic benefits or opportunities;
  • the employment is not part-time or seasonal; and
  • the wages and working conditions of the employment would be sufficient to attract and retain Canadian citizens.

You can apply for a work permit before you submit your application for permanent residence.

You’re not eligible if you’re a skilled worker in Quebec.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

 

You hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) and you've not yet applied for permanent residence

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if:

• you hold a valid Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), and
• you currently live in the province of Quebec.

You must also meet one of the following conditions:

• you need to extend your work permit for your current employer,
• you need a work permit for a new employer in the province of Quebec,
• you’re a foreign student with a post-graduation work permit and have a job offer in the province of Quebec, or
• your work permit was issued under one of International Experience Canada’s categories:
  • Working Holiday
  • Young Professionals
  • International Co-op (Internship)

Note: Your work permit will be valid for the length of your job offer, up to a maximum of two years.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• give you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

You must submit copies of the following documents when you submit your application:

• your CSQ, and
• your job offer to work in Quebec.

If you apply online, you must upload copies of these documents in the Letter of Explanation slot in the document checklist in your account.

 

You're a family member who has been included on an application for permanent residence

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’ve been included on an application for permanent residence that has been found complete or has received a positive eligibility assessment. Your application must be under one of the following:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Family Class
• Caring for Children Class
• Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class

You may also be eligible for an open work permit if you’ve been included on an application for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds and the application has been approved in principle.

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section. Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit.

 

You're a spouse or family member of someone working or studying temporarily in Canada

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’re:

• a spouse of a skilled worker in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B approved to work in Canada six months or longer
• a spouse of someone applying for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program in a job under NOC 0, A, B or C
• a spouse of a foreign student at a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university or collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec
• a family member of a foreign representative, or
• a family member of a foreign military member who is working in Canada

If your spouse has an open work permit (e.g. post-graduation work permit), you must attach a copy of your spouse’s work permit to your application for an open work permit, along with:

• a letter from your spouse’s current employer that confirms they work there in a NOC 0, A or B occupation, or a copy of your spouse’s employment offer or contract, and
• a copy of your spouse’s recent pay slips

Your permit will not be valid longer than your spouse’s work permit.

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section. Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit.

You've recently graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution

You may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit. This is a type of open work permit.

Find out if you are eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

 

You will be working in Canada under an international agreement

There are two types of international agreements:

• trade agreements
• non-trade agreements

You must meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit when it is needed to work under an agreement.

Trade agreements

Under an international trade agreement, you will need a work permit unless you are a business visitor.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

Non-trade-related agreements

Some non-trade-related international agreements allow you to work without a permit.

If you’re working under the following, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit:

• Airline Telecommunication & Information Services (SITA)
• Canada-Bermuda Memorandum of Understanding, Professional Trainees
• Canada-U.S. Understanding of Arrangement
• Cooperative Waterfowl Survey & Banding Program
• International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• International Pacific Halibut Commission
• Jamaica: Seasonal Agricultural Program, Liaison Officers
• Malaysia, Professional Accounting Trainees
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (only applies to workers at Foley Lake, Nova Scotia and Carp, Ontario)
• Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC)
• Roosevelt Campobello International Park

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer needs to:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Your employer may have to pay a $230 employer compliance fee.

Some workers and employers are fee exempt. If you aren’t sure if you’re fee exempt, pay your fees. You’ll get a refund if you don’t have to pay fees.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.
Note: If your job is at the NOC 0 (managerial, executive) or NOC A (professional) level, you may be eligible for two-week application processing.

 

You have a temporary resident permit valid for at least six months

You may be eligible for an open work permit. You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section. Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit.
Find out how to apply for a work permit.

 

You’ve filed a claim for refugee protection in Canada

You and your family members may be eligible for an open work permit if you filed a claim for refugee protection in Canada and:

• you’re waiting for the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to decide on your claim, and
• you cannot pay for your basic needs without working.

You'll still need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

If you're waiting for a decision on your claim and will apply for a work permit on paper, submit your application to:

Case Processing Centre in Edmonton
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
c/o Initial work permits for asylum claimants, Station 888
9700 Jasper Avenue NW, Suite 55
Edmonton, AB T5J 4C3

 

You and your family members may also be eligible for an open work permit if the RPD has rejected your refugee claim and:

• you cannot be removed from Canada for reasons beyond your control, and
• you cannot pay for your basic needs without working.

Your family members must be in Canada.

You'll still need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section. Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit.

 

You’re a study permit holder who can no longer support themselves financially

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you can no longer pay for your day-to-day needs or tuition for reasons beyond your control. Examples include changes to the situation in your home country, such as:

• war,
• upheaval, or
• collapse of the banking system.

You must include a letter of explanation with your work permit application that outlines the reasons why you’re now destitute.

An immigration officer will need to interview you to determine if you’re eligible.

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

You’re taking part in an exchange or reciprocal program

Some examples include:

• youth exchange programs,
• teacher exchange programs,
• commercial airline reciprocal programs, and
• other joint programs.

Note: This does not include staff exchanges for airline staff who are working under a wet lease arrangement.

Based on your answer, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit, if you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

You’re a participant in the World Youth Program

You may be eligible for an open work permit.

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section. Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit.

 

You’re working in Canada under a federal-provincial/territorial agreement

Find out more about federal-provincial/territorial agreements.

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

 

You’re a French-speaking or bilingual skilled worker who intends to work in a Francophone community outside Quebec

Based on your answer, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if you:

• will live and work in a Fancophone community outside Quebec,
• use French on a daily basis, and
• will work in a job at a National Occupation Code (NOC) skill level of 0, A or B.

You do not have to work in French to be eligible for this permit. However, we may ask you to complete language testing after you apply. You must get a “score of 7 on the TEF: Test d’évaluation de français (available in French only) or the Test de connaissance du français (TCF).

When you apply, you should provide a letter of explanation that briefly explains how you meet these requirements.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

How to apply

If this is your first work permit under an LMIA exemption for Francophones working outside Quebec, and:

• you’re outside Canada
• your job is at a NOC skill level of 0 or A

We recommend that you apply online as you may be able to benefit from two-week processing.

Applying from outside Canada

You must:

fill out the Application for Work Permit Made Outside Canada, and
apply online (recommended) or to a Visa Application Center (VAC)
Get more details on how to apply for a work permit.

Two-week processing

If your job is at the NOC 0 (managerial, executive) or NOC A (professional) level, you may benefit from the Global Skills Strategy’s two-week application processing.

Applying from inside Canada

If you’re

• already working in Canada under an LMIA exemption for Francophones working outside Quebec, or
• eligible to apply for this work permit from inside Canada

you can apply to extend or change the conditions on your work permit.

If you’re applying for your first work permit under this LMIA exemption from inside Canada or when you enter Canada you should include your language test results with your application. If the officer is not satisfied that you meet the language requirements, your application may be refused.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

 

You're being transferred within a company to its Canadian operations

Based on your answer, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit:

• you’re an eligible intra-company transferee, and
• you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

 

None of these situations describe you

Based on your answers, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit. Your employer must get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before you submit your application.

An LMIA is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada that allows an employer to hire a foreign worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

You may also qualify for two-week processing of your application if your employer gets a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment through the Global Talent Stream of the TFWP.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must give you: 

a copy of the positive LMIA, and
your job offer letter or contract.
You must also meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Labour Market Impact Assessment Stream” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

 

You’re applying for permanent residence under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Progam (AIPP)

Based on your answer, you may be eligible for a one-year employer-specific work permit if you have:

• a job offer that is full-time and not seasonal from a designated employer in an Atlantic province
• a referral letter from the provincial government where you will be working, asking IRCC to issue a work permit without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment, and
• a signed commitment form that shows you will apply for permanent residence under the AIPP within 90 days of applying for your work permit

You also need to be eligible to work in Canada.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal,
• pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
• provide you with an offer of employment number

To apply, you must complete the paper application and submit it to:

• a visa application centre if you are not already in Canada, or
• Central Processing Centre Vegreville if you are in Canada

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

Open work permits for your spouse or common-law partner

Your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit if your job is listed as NOC 0, A, B or C