A Canada Work Permit is a work authorization issued by the Canadian government, allowing foreign nationals to legally work in Canada for a specified period. It serves as a “key” to unlock numerous career opportunities and life experiences in one of the world’s most developed countries.
In this article, Phan Immigration will help you clearly understand the concept, the necessary requirements, and provide a detailed guide on the procedure for applying for a Canadian work visa, empowering you to approach your journey toward achieving the Canadian dream with confidence and readiness.
What is a Canada Work Permit?
A Canada Work Permit is a temporary, time-limited work authorization issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allowing foreign nationals to legally work in Canada. This program is a key initiative by the Canadian government to address labor shortages while providing international workers with potential pathways to permanent residency.
Although a Work Permit is not a Canadian immigration program, it can serve as an important stepping stone for applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in the future. The permit is available not only to foreign workers but also to international students who have graduated in Canada, giving them the opportunity to continue living and working legally in the country.
The duration of a Work Permit typically ranges from 2 to 3 years, depending on the employment contract or program. In many cases, workers can also bring their spouse and dependent children to live with them in Canada during the period of employment.
Benefits of Immigrating to Canada through a Work Permit
Holding a Work Permit opens the pathway to permanent residency (PR) in Canada through government immigration programs. Some key benefits include:
- Your spouse can apply for an open work permit, allowing them to come to Canada with you and work for any employer.
- Your children can accompany you, enjoy free primary and secondary education, and benefit from reduced tuition fees at certain universities.
- You are eligible to purchase property in Canada if requirements are met.
- Children born in Canada automatically acquire Canadian citizenship.
- You may apply for child benefits with a Work Permit valid for more than 18 months: up to CAD 7,437/year (≈ 133,114,491 VND) for children under 6 years old, and up to CAD 6,275/year (≈ 112,315,911 VND) for children aged 6–17.
- From June 27, 2023, Work Permit holders can enroll in any time-limited study programs until June 27, 2026 without needing a separate study permit.
- You and your family enjoy comprehensive provincial benefits in the province of residence.
- Typically, you and your family only need to live 2 more years in Canada before applying for citizenship, as the time spent in Canada with a Work Permit counts as half toward the residency requirement for citizenship eligibility.
Types of Work Permits for Immigrating to Canada
There are three types of Work Permits: Open Work Permit, Employer-specific Work Permit, and Work Permit for international students.
Open Work Permit
The Open Work Permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada without restrictions on occupation or location, except in cases where:
- The employer is not eligible to hire foreign workers under Canadian regulations.
- The employer provides services related to escort, dancing, adult entertainment, prostitution, etc.
Some important notes about the Open Work Permit for immigrating to Canada:
- It is only issued in certain cases.
- Some jobs require a medical examination.
- Your spouse and children are allowed to live, study, and work with you in Canada.
Employer-specific Work Permit
The Employer-specific Work Permit only allows you to work for a single employer under specific conditions:
- The permit specifies the employer where you will work.
- The work duration is clearly stated.
- The work location is defined (if applicable).
To apply for an Employer-specific Work Permit, your employer must provide documents including:
- A copy of the employment contract signed with you.
- A copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a job offer if LMIA-exempt.
Work Permit for international students in Canada
International students in Canada have several options for obtaining a Work Permit:
- Off-campus Work Permit: This Work Permit is combined with the Study Permit, allowing students to work off-campus up to 20 hours per week and full-time during scheduled breaks.
- Co-op Work Permit: For students allowed to participate in work-integrated learning programs (occupying no more than 50% of the program). This permit only allows work within the academic program and cannot be used for additional off-campus employment.
- Post Graduation Work Permit: For eligible graduates who have completed all required courses and a minimum of 8 months of continuous, full-time study at eligible Canadian universities or colleges.
Requirements for Applying for a Canada Work Permit
The conditions for obtaining a Canada Work Permit Visa are clearly defined as follows:
General Requirements for All Applicants
To apply for a Canada Work Permit, you must meet the following conditions:
- Demonstrate that you have no intention of staying illegally and are willing to leave Canada when your work permit expires.
- Prove that you have sufficient financial resources to cover all expenses while working and living in Canada.
- Show that you have no criminal record, have not violated the law, and do not pose a threat to Canada’s security.
- Have no intention of working for employers who are not authorized to hire foreign workers or who provide services such as escorting, dancing, adult entertainment, prostitution, etc.
- Provide documentation proving your eligibility to enter Canada.
- Be in good health.
- Comply with Canadian laws.
- Submit any additional documents requested by the immigration officer to demonstrate your ability to leave Canada when your work permit expires.
Before applying, you need to prepare a complete Canada immigration visa application package, including a job offer letter, proof of financial resources, personal documents, and the required IRCC forms.
Applying from Outside Canada
Before entering Canada, anyone can apply for a Work Permit. However, you must meet the requirements set by the visa office in the country where you apply. Some general requirements include:
- Demonstrate that you will leave Canada after completing your work.
- Comply with the law and have no criminal record (you may need to provide a police clearance certificate).
- Pose no risk to Canada’s security.
- Be in good health and undergo a medical examination if required.
- Not intend to work for employers on Canada’s “Ineligible Employers List.”
- Not plan to work in establishments that provide services such as striptease, erotic dance, escorting, or adult massage.
Applying from Within Canada
To apply for a Work Permit from within Canada, you must meet the following conditions:
- You hold a valid study permit or work permit.
- Your spouse, common-law partner, parent, or child holds a valid study or work permit.
- You are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and your study permit is still valid.
- You have a valid temporary resident status for more than 6 months.
- You are awaiting the processing of a permanent residence application from within Canada.
- You have submitted a refugee claim.
- You have been recognized as a refugee by IRCC.
- You are authorized to work in Canada without a permit but require a permit for a different job (not applicable to business visitors).
- You are a trader, investor, or intra-company transferee under the Canada–US–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Note: Tourists in Canada are not eligible to apply for a work permit from inside Canada.
Applying at Entry to Canada
It is recommended to apply for a work permit before arriving in Canada. However, if eligible, you may apply at the port of entry (POE). To apply at a POE, you must meet all the following conditions:
- Be a citizen of a visa-exempt country or a visa-exempt individual (e.g., a lawful permanent resident of the United States).
- Be eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or travel without a tourist visa.
- Meet any other requirements depending on the type of work permit you are applying for.
You cannot apply at a POE if:
- You require a tourist visa.
- You are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Canada.
- You are an International Experience Canada (IEC) candidate and are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- You are applying under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
- You are applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). (Note: as of June 21, 2024, PGWP applications cannot be submitted at POEs.)
- You are in Canada and traveling to the U.S. or Saint Pierre and Miquelon to access immigration services upon return.
Documents Required for a Canada Work Permit
Mandatory Documents
These are the documents you must have when entering Canada:
- Valid passport.
- Visitor visa (if you are from a country that requires one).
- Port of Entry Letter of Introduction: This document proves that your Work Permit application has been approved. You will receive it by email if you applied online. Print it or keep an electronic copy to present to border officers.
Additional Documents Recommended
These documents are not mandatory, but bringing them can make your entry process smoother and help demonstrate that you are eligible to work in Canada:
- Proof of work experience and educational qualifications to show that you meet the job requirements.
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): If your job requires an LMIA, bring a copy of the positive LMIA provided by your employer.
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ): If you require an LMIA and will work in Quebec, bring a copy of this certificate.
- Job Offer Number: If you are exempt from LMIA and will work for a specific employer, bring the number provided to your employer through the Employer Portal.
Canada Work Permit Application Process
The process to apply for a Canada Work Permit, ensuring timely processing and approval, includes the following steps:
Guidelines for Foreign Workers
If you are applying for a Canada Work Permit from Vietnam, the procedure includes:
- Step 1: Prepare and provide all documents proving that you are eligible to work in Canada.
- Step 2: Fill out the Work Permit application form according to the regulations.
- Step 3: Pay the required fees.
- Step 4: Submit your application.
- Step 5: Immigration authorities will review and assess your application. During this process, they may request an interview or ask for additional supporting documents.
- Step 6: If your application is approved, immigration authorities will send you a Letter of Introduction confirming your Work Permit approval.
- Step 7: At Canadian customs, present the Letter of Introduction sent by the immigration authorities to receive your Work Permit in Canada.
Note: The Letter of Introduction confirming your Work Permit approval does not guarantee entry into Canada.
Guidelines for International Students Studying in Canada
If you are applying for a Work Permit while studying in Canada, you can submit your application online to save time and costs instead of visiting the relevant authority in person. The online Work Permit application procedure in Canada includes the following steps:
- Step 1: Prepare all necessary documents required for the application.
- Step 2: Carefully read the instructions, answer the questions in the Work Permit application form, and be aware of all applicable fees (biometrics fee, medical examination fee, police clearance fee, etc.).
- Step 3: Create an online account on the website designated by IRCC, or log in if you already have an account, to submit your application, pay fees, and check the status of your application.
Note: While waiting for your application to be processed, you may work full-time if you meet the following conditions:
- At the time of applying for the Work Permit, you must hold a valid study visa.
- You have completed the designated study program.
- You are eligible to perform jobs that do not require a Work Permit.
- You commit to not exceeding the allowed working hours.
FAQs about the Canada Work Permit
How long does it take to process a Canada Work Permit application?
Currently, the processing time for a Canada Work Permit application submitted in Vietnam is about 15 weeks, or 3.5 months. This time can vary depending on the volume of applications, the complexity of your case, and the workload of the immigration officer.
Who doesn’t need a Canada Work Permit?
You are exempt from needing a work permit in Canada if you are:
- A foreign representative in Canada.
- A family member of a foreign representative in Canada.
- An athlete or team member.
- A performing artist.
- A news reporter or a member of the media crew.
- A public speaker.
- A convention organizer.
- In Canada for an economic purpose but are not part of the labor market.
- A member of the clergy.
- An umpire or referee.
- An inspector or evaluator.
- An expert witness or an investigator.
- A government official.
- A healthcare professional working with students.
- A civil aviation inspector, accident investigator, or flight crew member.
- A person working on a school campus.
- A military personnel.
How much does a Canada Work Permit cost for foreign workers?
The general fee for a Canada Work Permit is 155 CAD per person (~2,774,337 VND) for all occupations. If you apply as a group of three or more, the cost is 465 CAD (~8,323,011 VND) for the entire group. For an Open Work Permit, the fee is 100 CAD per person (~1,789,895 VND).
How long is a Canada Work Permit valid for?
The validity of a Canada Work Permit typically ranges from one to two years. However, this period cannot exceed the duration of your visa, job offer letter, or LMIA assessment, and in some cases, it may be shorter.
Why might a Canada Work Permit application be rejected?
Your Canada Work Permit application may be rejected if:
- You do not meet all the requirements for a Canada Work Permit.
- There is evidence that you do not intend to leave the country after your visa expires.
- There is evidence that you do not plan to fully perform the intended job after getting the work permit.
To find out the exact reason for the refusal, you can request your file notes from the Global Case Management System (GCMS). If your application is unfortunately rejected, you can review the sample Canada visa refusal letter and learn how to appeal or re-apply effectively.
Applications that meet all eligibility criteria, including a clear purpose and a legitimate work plan, will be approved more quickly and without complications. For safe and transparent assistance with your Work Permit and immigration to Canada, please contact Phan Immigration—a company that provides Canadian immigration solutions. Licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), we will provide you with the most professional and high-quality service.
