Last verified: June 28, 2026 · Official source: canada.ca/work-permit types
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
The essential distinction
Canada issues two types of work permits:
| Type | What it allows |
|---|---|
| Open work permit | Work for any employer in any occupation in Canada (with rare exceptions) |
| Employer-specific (closed) permit | Work for one specific employer, in one specific role, usually in one location |
Most international students aim for open work permits — particularly the PGWP — because they offer maximum flexibility.
Open work permits
An open work permit lets you work for virtually any employer in Canada without them needing to jump through special hiring hoops for you.
Who can get an open work permit?
Common situations:
- PGWP holders — graduates of eligible Canadian programs. → PGWP Guide
- Spouses/common-law partners of certain permit holders — spouses of some skilled workers or international students may be eligible for an open work permit.
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) holders — people with a pending PR application whose temporary permit is expiring. → BOWP Guide
- IEC Working Holiday participants — open work permit for eligible countries. → IEC / Working Holiday Guide
- Refugee claimants — may be eligible for an open work permit while their claim is processed.
Conditions on open work permits
An open work permit may still have conditions:
- Expiry date — you must stop working when it expires unless you have maintained status (implied status).
- No self-employment — open work permits generally do not authorize self-employment, unless explicitly stated.
- Restricted occupations — a very small number of occupations (e.g. certain regulated healthcare roles) may require additional provincial licensing regardless of your permit type.
Employer-specific (closed) work permits
An employer-specific permit names a specific employer, job title, and usually a specific location. To change employers, you need a new work permit.
Who needs an employer-specific permit?
- Most Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) positions — the employer typically needs an LMIALMIA: Labour Market Impact Assessment — a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirming that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market. Required for most employer-specific work permits outside exempt categories. from ESDC before you can get the permit.
- LMIA-exempt employer-specific permits — some positions are exempt from the LMIA requirement (e.g. intra-company transfers, some trade-agreement positions). The employer still files a job offer through IRCC's Employer Portal.
- IEC Young Professionals and International Co-op streams — employer-specific, unlike the Working Holiday stream.
LMIA basics
A LMIALMIA: Labour Market Impact Assessment — ESDC's confirmation that a foreign worker can be hired for a position. The employer applies to ESDC, which checks whether a Canadian citizen or PR could fill the role. is the employer's responsibility, not yours. A positive LMIA means:
- ESDC confirmed no suitable Canadian worker is available.
- The employer can give you a job offer letter referencing the LMIA.
- You use that offer letter to apply for your employer-specific work permit.
LMIA processing times vary by stream and province — check with the employer or an advisor.
Do you need a work permit at all?
Some categories of workers are exempt from needing a work permit:
- Business visitors — short-term business activities that don't involve direct entry to the Canadian labour market (short meetings, conferences, after-sales service within limits)
- Certain intra-company transferees — some executive/managerial/specialized knowledge roles under CUSMA/USMCA, CETA, or CPTPP
- Performing artists and certain other temporary cultural workers
- Diplomats and foreign government representatives
These exemptions are narrow and fact-specific. Do not assume you qualify without verifying your situation against IRCC guidance.
Key work permits at a glance
| Permit | Type | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| PGWP | Open | Apply to IRCC after graduating from eligible program |
| BOWP | Open | Apply to IRCC when pending PR application meets criteria |
| IEC Working Holiday | Open | Apply through IEC system; limited spaces by country |
| IEC Young Professionals | Employer-specific | Apply through IEC system with valid job offer |
| TFWP (LMIA stream) | Employer-specific | Employer gets LMIA, you apply with job offer |
| Spousal open work permit | Open | Spouse/partner applies alongside their permit |
→ PGWP — full guide → Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) → IEC / Working Holiday → Study → PR Pathway Map