You’re a professional athlete or coach
You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit(opens in a new tab) if Canadians would also be able to work as professional athletes or coaches in your home country.
You must meet both of the following criteria:
- be a professional athlete or coach for a Canadian team
- meet the general eligibility requirements(opens in a new tab) for a work permit
Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must do all of the following:
- submit an offer of employment to IRCC
- pay a CAN$230 employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number
Faster processing
If your job is classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, you’re eligible for 2-week application processing.
If you need to do other work to support yourself while in Canada
You may also be eligible for an open work permit(opens in a new tab) . Leave the employer section of the application blank when you apply for your open work permit. You can apply for this permit after you arrive in Canada.
Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Open work permit” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.