How to Get a Canadian Work Visa (6 Steps)

Finding rewarding employment after graduation is a priority for many people. Advancing a career requires careful planning and research into job opportunities in countries with strong economies and diverse industries. Canada is one destination that many international graduates consider.

Canada is known for its cultural diversity and varied landscapes, and it offers job opportunities across many regions and industries. However, receiving a job offer does not automatically make someone eligible for a work permit, and approval is not guaranteed. Statistics Canada reported 490,500 job vacancies in April 2026.

Pay, working hours, vacation, and leave entitlements vary by occupation, employer, province or territory, and whether federal labor standards apply. Statistics Canada reported an average offered hourly wage of CAD 29.55 for vacant positions in the first quarter of 2026. Applicants should research wages, job outlooks, and labor standards for their occupation and intended location before accepting an offer.

Even after finding a job, most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. This article explains the general process for applying from outside Canada. A work permit authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada; it is not the same as a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization, which may also be needed to travel to Canada.

Steps to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa

A Canadian work permit may allow an applicant to gain professional experience in Canada, but the requirements depend on the type of permit and the applicant’s circumstances. The following guide summarizes the general process for an application made from outside Canada.

Step 1. Apply for Jobs and Get an LMIA (if needed)

Before applying for an employer-specific work permit, ask the prospective employer whether the position requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Most jobs require an LMIA, although exemptions exist. The employer, not the worker, applies for the LMIA. A positive LMIA confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the position. The employer must give the worker the required LMIA documents for the work permit application.

Canada has two main types of work permits: employer-specific work permits and open work permits. An employer-specific permit requires a job offer and limits the worker according to the conditions printed on the permit. An open work permit does not require a job offer, but it is available only in specific situations. There is no standard four-year temporary work visa. A permit’s validity depends on the applicable program, employment period, and passport validity.

Step 2. Collect Supporting Documentation

Applicants receive a personalized document checklist after answering the questions in the online application portal. Common documents for an application from outside Canada include the application form, a valid passport or travel document, a photograph, and any documents required by the applicant’s local visa office. Depending on the application, supporting documents may include an employment contract, LMIA documents or an LMIA-exempt offer-of-employment number, proof of qualifications, certified translations, medical examination results, police certificates, and family documents.

There is no general rule requiring Canadian work permit applicants to be younger than 45. However, certain programs, such as International Experience Canada, have program- and nationality-specific age limits. Applicants should review the eligibility rules for their particular work permit category.

Step 3. Sign Up for an Account Online

Applicants generally need to sign in to or create an IRCC secure account. The account is used to answer the eligibility questionnaire, receive a personalized document checklist, upload forms and documents, pay applicable fees, submit the application, and receive messages from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Paper applications are permitted only in limited circumstances.

Step 4. Register by Paying the Fee

The standard work permit processing fee is CAD 155 per person. Open work permit applicants generally pay an additional CAD 100 open work permit holder fee. If biometrics are required, the fee is CAD 85 per person or up to CAD 170 for an eligible family applying together. Applicants should confirm the latest amounts on the official application page, as fees can change.

Step 5. Biometric Information

Applicants should check whether they need to provide biometrics and pay the biometric fee when submitting the application, if applicable. Biometrics consist of fingerprints and a digital photograph. After the application is submitted, IRCC issues a biometric instruction letter to applicants who must provide biometrics. The applicant must then book an appointment at an official biometric collection location.

Step 6. Fill Out the Application Form

Complete the application form, upload every item listed on the personalized checklist, pay the required fees, and submit the application through the IRCC secure account. Missing documents or information may delay the application or result in its return or refusal. If biometrics are required, follow the instructions in the biometric instruction letter after submission.

Work permit processing times vary according to the type of application, the country from which the applicant applies, application volumes, completeness, and other factors. Applicants should use IRCC’s current processing-time tool rather than relying on a universal estimate. Express Entry is a permanent residence system and should not be used as a processing-time benchmark for a temporary work permit.

Documents Needed for a Canadian Work Visa

The documents required for a Canadian work permit depend on where the applicant applies, the type of permit, the job, and the applicant’s personal circumstances. Applicants who apply online receive a personalized document checklist. The following are common or potentially required documents for an application made from outside Canada.

• A valid, unexpired passport or travel document. IRCC cannot issue a work permit that is valid beyond the passport’s expiration date.
• A completed Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada form, a photograph that meets IRCC specifications, and all documents on the personalized checklist.
• A written job offer or employment contract for an employer-specific work permit.
• A copy of the positive LMIA decision documents provided by the employer, if an LMIA is required. For most LMIA-exempt employer-specific permits, the employer must instead provide an offer-of-employment number after submitting the offer through the Employer Portal.
• Proof that the applicant is qualified for the job, such as educational credentials, professional licenses, trade certificates, or evidence of relevant work experience, when applicable.
• Proof of the applicant’s current immigration status if the applicant is applying from a country of which they are not a citizen. An applicant applying from inside Canada may need evidence of valid temporary status, such as a valid study permit.
• Medical examination results or a police certificate if required by IRCC based on the applicant’s travel history, intended occupation, length of stay, or other circumstances.
• Marriage, common-law relationship, or birth documents for accompanying family members, where applicable, as well as certified translations of documents that are not in English or French.
• Language test results only when required by the specific program. There is no universal B2, IELTS, or TOEFL requirement for all Canadian work permits. Applicants must check which tests and scores IRCC accepts for their particular program.
• Financial documents or proof of health insurance only when required by the applicant’s program or personalized checklist. For example, International Experience Canada participants must meet specific proof-of-funds and health insurance requirements.

FAQs: Work Visa Applications for Canada

Canada, the world’s second-largest country by area, offers employment opportunities across a wide range of industries and regions. However, a work permit provides temporary authorization to work and is different from permanent residence. Applicants must meet the requirements of their particular work permit category, and meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee approval or immediate employment.

We hope this article on obtaining a Canadian work permit was helpful. For additional opportunities, review the Available Programs for International Students!