Work permits and visas in Canada: an employer’s guide

If you’re hiring in Canada or relocating an existing team member, they must have the correct work permits and visa to live and work in the country.

Making sure team members have the right documentation to work abroad is a tricky process. In this guide, we’ll explain the basics of work permits and visas in Canada, and show you the steps you may need to take to acquire the right documents to work in Canada legally. 

See also: The complete employer's guide to hiring in Canada 

Work authorization in Canada

Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the right to work in Canada regardless of where they currently live.

Foreign nationals who are not citizens or permanent residents generally need work authorization to work legally in Canada. As an employer, it’s important to understand that your prospective hire must meet eligibility criteria under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for work authorization.

Work visas and permits in Canada

In Canada, work visas and permits are not the same thing. An employment permit grants a foreign national the legal right to work in Canada under specified conditions and time frames. It is not a travel document and cannot be used to enter or re‑enter the country.

A visa, often a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), is issued to foreign nationals who require official permission to enter Canada. It allows travel into and, if applicable, re‑entry into the country. The visa is tied to the purpose of entry, which can include work. Foreign nationals who plan to work in Canada typically need both a work permit and either a visa or an eTA, depending on their nationality.

Types of work permits in Canada

Canada issues two main types of work permits: an employer-specific work permit and open work permits.

Employer-specific work permits

An employer-specific work permit allows a foreign national to work only for the Canadian employer, job, and location listed on the permit. If the worker changes jobs, they must apply for a new permit. In most cases, employers must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Open work permits

An open work permit allows the worker to work for almost any Canadian employer. Not that foreign workers cannot be employed by non-compliant employers or in prohibited occupations. Open permits are available under specific conditions, such as:

• International graduates through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program
• Spouses or common-law partners of certain foreign workers and international students
• Participants in International Experience Canada (IEC), including the Working Holiday Visa

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and LMIA-exempt permits

Canadian employers who want to hire a foreign worker generally need to determine whether the position requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or qualifies for an LMIA-exempt permit.

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

LMIA confirms that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect Canada’s labor market. Employers must demonstrate recruitment efforts to hire Canadians first. Once approved, the LMIA is provided to the worker, who submits it with their work permit application to IRCC. 

LMIA-exempt work permits

Under the International Mobility Program (IMP), certain roles do not require an LMIA, such as intra-company transfers, spousal open work permits, or professionals from the United States or Mexico entering under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement.

Eligibility criteria for Canadian work permits

To qualify for a work permit, foreign nationals must show that they:

• Will leave Canada when the permit expires
• Have enough financial resources to support themselves and family members
• Have no criminal record and pose no security risk
• Are in good health (medical exam may be required)
• Will not work for non-compliant employers or in prohibited occupations
• Can provide documents requested by an immigration officer
  
  

Family members may also be eligible for permits, such as a Spousal Open Work Permit, depending on the worker’s status.

Application process for a Canadian work permit

Canada does not have a formal “employer sponsorship” system. Instead, employers support the process either by securing an LIMA under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), or by providing an offer of employment number for an LMIA-exempt work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP). 

Here are the details of the application processing:

Determine the correct permit type

• LMIA-based permit (TFWP): Most roles require an LMIA for temporary foreign workers. Employers must apply through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to prove that no Canadians or permanent residents are available for the position.
  
  
• LMIA-exempt permit (IMP): Certain roles do not require an LMIA, such as intra-company transfers, professionals under trade agreements like the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, or spousal open work permits. In these cases, employers must submit an offer of employment through IRCC’s Employer Portal and pay the compliance fee.

Provide documentation to the worker

Employers must give the foreign national:

• A copy of the positive LMIA and job offer, or
• The offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt roles), plus a signed employment contract.
  
  

The worker uses these documents to apply for their work permit.

Worker submits application to IRCC

Applications generally require:

• Job offer or LMIA (if applicable)
• Signed employment contract
• Proof of funds
• Police clearance (if requested)
• Biometrics (for most applicants)
• Medical exams (for some occupations or if the worker has lived in certain countries for more than six months)

Processing times and fees

Processing times vary by country and work permit category. Work permit applications require a fee payable to IRCC, with additional costs for biometrics. Employers may also pay the LMIA application fee (if applicable) or the employer compliance fee (for LMIA-exempt cases).

If applying from outside Canada, the worker applies online. If approved, IRCC issues a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction. The work permit itself is printed and issued when the worker arrives in Canada. If applying from inside Canada, IRCC mails the work permit directly to the worker’s Canadian address.

Employer responsibilities after approval

Once the work permit is issued and the worker arrives in Canada, employers must:

• Ensure the worker presents their POE Letter to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at entry
• Onboard the employee properly, including helping them apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Follow all obligations under federal and provincial labor laws, including paying the prevailing wage, providing safe working conditions, and keeping records for inspections by ESDC or IRCC
  
  

Failure to comply can result in penalties or being placed on the federal non-compliant employer list.

Immigration programs in Canada

Canada offers several immigration programs that allow foreign nationals to transition from temporary status (such as a work permit) to permanent residence. These programs are managed by IRCC and, in some cases, by provincial governments. Understanding these pathways helps employers support temporary foreign workers who may want to remain in Canada long-term.

Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s main system for skilled immigration. It manages applications for three federal programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For skilled workers with at least one year of Canadian work experience.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience who meet education and language requirements.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For qualified tradespeople in eligible occupations.
  

Candidates enter an online pool and are ranked through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Each province and territory (except Québec and Nunavut) operates its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to address local labor market needs. Provinces can nominate temporary foreign workers or international students for permanent residence. Some PNP streams are linked to Express Entry, while others operate independently.

Québec Immigration Programs

Québec manages its own selection system for skilled workers. Employers hiring foreign nationals for work in Québec must follow provincial requirements, including obtaining a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) for most temporary workers. Quebec also has its own permanent immigration streams outside Express Entry.

Other Immigration Pathways

In addition to Express Entry and PNPs, Canada has specialized programs for specific groups of workers and regions:

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): The Atlantic Immigration Program is for skilled workers and international graduates in the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador).
  
  
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): For foreign workers in smaller communities.
  
  
• Agri-Food Pilot: For agricultural workers in key agricultural industries.
  
  
• Start-Up Visa Program: For entrepreneurs supported by designated Canadian organizations.
  
  
• Family Sponsorship: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence. This includes spousal sponsorship, which allows a Canadian to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner. In many cases, sponsored spouses are also eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit.

Visa applications in Canada

In addition to a work permit, many foreign nationals need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. These are entry documents, separate from the work permit, but issued automatically when required.

Types of entry documents

• Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): Required for citizens of visa-required countries; placed in the passport.
• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Required for visa-exempt travelers arriving by air; linked electronically to the passport.
• Exemptions: Citizens of the United States do not need a TRV or eTA. United States Green Card holders are visa-exempt but need an eTA if traveling by air.

When to apply for a Canadian visa

When applying for a work permit from outside Canada, applicants do not need to apply separately for a TRV or eTA. If the work permit is approved, IRCC automatically issues the required entry document at no additional cost. A TRV is issued to nationals of visa-required countries, while an eTA is issued to nationals of visa-exempt countries.

If a worker or their accompanying family members only need to visit Canada and not work, they may apply separately for a visitor visa or an eTA. A visitor visa can be submitted  online or through a Visa Application Centre (VAC).  

Visitor visa applications can take up to 30 business days, which varies by location and application volume, while an eTA is applied for online and is usually approved within minutes.

How Remote can help with work permits in Canada 

To hire or relocate employees to Canada legally, you need to have your own entity in the country. You also need to navigate immigration laws to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll and benefits according to local tax laws. 

That's why Remote’s Employer of Record service is invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Canada on your company’s behalf. Remote helps you stay compliant with local labor and tax laws, so you can onboard your employees in a matter of days to save time and resources. 

If you already have an entity in Canada, Remote can help with international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on Canadian work permit applications. 

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.