How to apply
You must apply online for this work permit. You can’t apply on paper unless you’re eligible.
Step 1: Get your document checklist
You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.
Answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown based on whether you’re applying from inside or outside Canada.
Outside Canada applicants
| Question (for outside Canada applicants) | Answer |
|---|---|
What would you like to do in Canada? |
Work |
I have a job offer and my employer gave me an offer of employment number or LMIA number (or proof that your employer applied for an LMIA). |
Yes |
Will you be coming to Canada under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC? |
No |
You should get the following result:
Foreign Worker - International Mobility Program
You may be eligible to come to Canada as a foreign worker.
Click the “Continue” button to proceed and answer the rest of the questions based on your situation. Make sure to answer the following question exactly as shown.
| What type of work permit do you want to apply for? | A work permit with a labour market impact assessment exemption |
|---|
Inside Canada applicants
| Question (for in-Canada applicants) | Answer |
|---|---|
What would you like to do in Canada? |
Work |
Does one of the following apply to you? Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who … Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who is … |
No |
You should get the following result:
Work Permit (in Canada)
You may be eligible to extend your stay in Canada to work with a work permit.
Click the “Continue” button to proceed and answer the rest of the questions based on your situation. Make sure to answer the following question exactly as shown.
| Which option best describes your work situation? | I'm applying for an employer-specific work permit with LMIA-exemption |
|---|
Step 2: Get your documents ready
You’ll need to gather the right supporting documents. Use the supporting document checklist listed in the application instructions you got from completing step 1 above.
If you’re applying from inside Canada, you’ll need to upload a blank document in the “Invitation Letter” field of the application. Outside Canada applicants don’t have an “Invitation Letter” field in their application.
There’s only 1 Client Information field. You may need to combine more than 1 document into 1 file and upload them together.
Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.
Step 3: Check if you need a medical exam
Find out if you need a medical exam for your application.
If you need a medical exam
- You should find a doctor and get an upfront medical exam before applying.
- You’ll get an open work permit with no medical restrictions.
Step 4: Apply for a work permit
Follow the usual steps to apply online for a work permit.
After you apply
Find out what to do and what happens after you apply for your work permit.
Prepare to arrive in Canada
There are also a few things you should know before you arrive in Canada to work.