Work Permit

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Who Can Apply For A Work Permit?

There are specific requirements you need to meet depending on where you are when you apply for your work permit.

But regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, you must

prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires;
show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home;
obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate);
not be a danger to Canada’s security;
be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed;
not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions;
not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; and
give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

Get a free of cost estimate for your visa eligibility. Our team is here to assist you in all the prospects.

You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if
you have a valid study or work permit;
your spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study or work permit;
you’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid;
you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more;
you’re waiting on a decision on an application for permanent residence from inside Canada;
you made a claim for refugee protection;
you’ve been recognized as a convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada;
you’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but you need a work permit to work in a different job (this does not apply to business visitors); or

you’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

You should apply for your work permit before you travel to Canada.

However, you can apply for a work permit when you enter Canada if you’re eligible.

To apply at a port of entry (POE), you must be

eligible for an electronic travel authorization or to travel without a visitor visa (find out if you need a visa)
entering Canada directly from the United States while COVID-19 travel restrictions are in place

There are other requirements depending on the type of work permit you’re applying for.

You must also have a valid job offer while COVID-19 travel restrictions are in place.

Your employer must have completed all of the required steps for your employer-specific work permit.

If you’ll be working in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, you’re not eligible to apply for a work permit at a POE.