Updated May 2026

Temporary Foreign Workers

Work Permit
Canada 2026 Guide

Canada issues work permits under two systems: the LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for employer-sponsored workers, and the LMIA-exempt International Mobility Program (IMP) for categories like CUSMA, intra-company transfers, and IEC. In 2026, Canada is strongly prioritising LMIA-exempt pathways — for every LMIA permit issued, nearly 3 LMIA-exempt permits are issued.

170K

IMP (LMIA-exempt) target 2026

60K

TFWP (LMIA) target 2026

$155

Work permit fee (CAD)

2–16 wks

Processing time

⚖️ Not legal or immigration advice. This guide is a general educational overview based on publicly available IRCC information, last verified May 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — always verify at canada.ca/ircc and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer before applying.

Which type of work permit do you need?

✅ LMIA-Exempt (IMP) — Faster, preferred 2026

No LMIA required. Includes: CUSMA/USMCA (US & Mexico), Intra-Company Transfers, International Experience Canada (IEC), spousal open work permits, PGWP graduates, and significant benefit (C10) permits. Employer pays $230 compliance fee.

⏳ LMIA-Based (TFWP) — Slower, employer-sponsored

Employer must prove no Canadian can do the job. LMIA fee: $1,000/position (paid by employer — illegal to charge to worker). Then worker applies for a closed work permit tied to that employer. Takes 2–6 months total.

Step-by-step: LMIA-Exempt Work Permit (IMP)

Determine Your Eligibility Category

⏱ Before applying

💰 No fee

LMIA-exempt work permits are issued under specific categories. Common ones in 2026: CUSMA/USMCA (US/Mexican citizens in professional, intra-company, or investor roles); Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) — executive, manager, or specialised knowledge worker, 1 year with same company required; IEC Working Holiday (youth 18–35 from eligible countries); Spousal Open Work Permit (spouse of TEER 0/1/2/3 worker or eligible student); Significant Benefit C10 (athletes, artists, researchers — discretionary); Mobilité Francophone (French speakers outside Quebec).

📄 Documents: Varies by category — check IRCC's LMIA-exemption codes at canada.ca.

⚠ Watch out: 2026 update: ICT permits now require the company to demonstrate revenue-generating operations in at least 2 countries. Companies setting up their first Canadian presence no longer qualify under ICT.

✓ Tip: Use IRCC's "Find out if you need a work permit" tool at canada.ca to identify the exact category and exemption code for your situation.

Employer Submits Offer of Employment (IMP only)

⏱ 1–5 business days

💰 $230 employer compliance fee

For LMIA-exempt categories, your Canadian employer must submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal before you apply. They will receive an offer number (starting with "A") that you include in your permit application. This replaces the old paper LMIA process for IMP categories.

📄 Documents: Employer: IRCC Employer Portal account, offer of employment details, $230 compliance fee.

⚠ Watch out: The $230 employer compliance fee is paid by the employer, not the worker. It is illegal for employers to pass this cost to you. If an employer asks you to pay it, report them to ESDC.

✓ Tip: Employers can submit the portal offer in 1–3 business days. Ask your HR team to do this before you start your application.

Gather Your Application Documents

⏱ 1–3 weeks

💰 Biometrics $85 if first time

Prepare all documents before applying. For most work permits you'll need: valid passport, job offer letter or offer of employment number, proof of qualifications (degree, diploma, licences), proof of work experience, and biometrics. For CUSMA add proof of US/Mexican citizenship and your professional credentials.

📄 Documents: Valid passport, job offer letter, offer of employment number (IMP) or LMIA approval number (TFWP), educational credentials, professional licences (if required for occupation), CV/resume, biometrics.

⚠ Watch out: Work permits are employer and occupation-specific. If you change employers or roles, you generally need a new permit — unless you have an open work permit (PGWP, IEC, spousal).

✓ Tip: Have your credentials formally evaluated by a recognised body (e.g., WES for education, RIBO for insurance professionals) before applying — this strengthens applications for regulated professions.

Apply Online

⏱ 2–3 hours

💰 $155 work permit fee

Apply online via your IRCC account at canada.ca. For most nationalities, apply online. Citizens of the US and some other countries can sometimes apply at the border. Answer all questions carefully — errors and inconsistencies are a primary cause of work permit refusals. Pay the $155 processing fee (plus $100 open work permit holder fee if applying for an open permit = $255 total).

📄 Documents: All supporting documents, offer of employment number, passport, fee payment.

⚠ Watch out: The open work permit holder fee ($100) applies to open work permits (PGWP, spousal, IEC, etc.) in addition to the $155 processing fee. Total = $255. Forgetting the $100 is the most common application error.

✓ Tip: Submit a complete application with all documents in the correct format (PDF, under 4 MB each). Missing documents cause costly delays or refusals.

Give Biometrics

⏱ Within 30 days of instruction letter

💰 $85 (first-time, valid 10 years)

After applying, you'll receive a biometrics instruction letter. Book an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) or designated location in your country. Give fingerprints and a photo. Valid for 10 years — check your IRCC account before paying again.

📄 Documents: Biometrics instruction letter, valid passport, $85 fee receipt.

⚠ Watch out: Missing the 30-day biometrics deadline causes your application to be abandoned.

✓ Tip: Book your biometrics appointment the same day you receive the instruction letter — some countries have 4–8 week wait times.

Wait for Decision — Then Arrive

⏱ 2–16 weeks

💰 No fee

Processing times vary by country and category. CUSMA permits at the US border can be issued same-day for eligible professionals. Online applications typically take 2–16 weeks. If approved, you'll receive a port of entry letter. Your actual work permit is issued by CBSA when you arrive. At the border, present: passport, approval letter, job offer, and all supporting documents.

📄 Documents: Port of entry letter (if applicable), passport, original supporting documents.

⚠ Watch out: Do not quit your current job or make non-refundable travel plans until you have a positive decision in hand.

✓ Tip: CUSMA (USMCA) professionals — US and Mexican citizens applying at land border ports can often get approved same-day. Prepare a full document package and arrive early.

LMIA Process (employer-sponsored, TFWP)

Employer Applies for LMIA from ESDC

⏱ 8–26 weeks

💰 $1,000 per position (employer pays)

Your Canadian employer applies to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for a Labour Market Impact Assessment. They must prove: they advertised the position for at least 4 weeks on Job Bank and 2 other recruitment channels, no qualified Canadians or PRs applied, and wages meet the prevailing wage for the occupation/region. This process takes 8–26 weeks for most categories, or 2 weeks under the Global Talent Stream for certain in-demand tech roles.

📄 Documents: Job Bank posting, recruitment records, wage evidence, business registration, ESDC forms.

⚠ Watch out: It is illegal for employers to charge the $1,000 LMIA fee to the worker. It is also illegal to charge recruitment fees. Report violations to ESDC.

✓ Tip: If your occupation is on the Global Talent Stream list, processing can be as fast as 2 weeks. Check if your NOC code qualifies at canada.ca/global-talent.

Worker Applies for Closed Work Permit

⏱ 2–8 weeks after LMIA approval

💰 $155 CAD

Once the employer receives an LMIA approval letter with a case number, you can apply for a closed (employer-specific) work permit. The permit will name your employer, occupation, and location. If you leave that employer, you lose authorisation to work in Canada and must apply for a new permit.

📄 Documents: LMIA approval letter and case number, valid passport, job offer letter, credentials, biometrics.

⚠ Watch out: A closed work permit ties you to one employer. Be confident in the job before applying — leaving before the permit expires requires a new LMIA and permit.

✓ Tip: Once you have a closed work permit and have worked for 12 months in a TEER 0/1/2/3 occupation, you may be eligible for Express Entry CEC — start building your profile early.

$155

Worker permit fee

$255

Open work permit total

$85

Biometrics (first time)

$1,000

LMIA fee — employer only

$230

IMP employer compliance fee

CUSMA at border (some categories)

Frequently asked questions

Can I change employers on a closed work permit?

Not without a new work permit. A closed work permit is tied to a specific employer, location, and occupation. If your employer changes or you want to move jobs, you need a new permit (which may require a new LMIA). Open work permits (PGWP, spousal, IEC) allow you to work for any employer without restriction.

What is IEC and who qualifies?

International Experience Canada (IEC) is an open work permit program for youth aged 18–35 from eligible countries (Australia, UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and ~30 others). It has three streams: Working Holiday (no job offer, most popular), Young Professionals (job offer required), and International Co-op. Spaces are allocated annually by country — apply as early as possible when the pool opens each year.

Can my spouse work in Canada on my work permit?

Your spouse/common-law partner may be eligible for a spousal open work permit if you hold a work permit for a TEER 0, 1, or 2 occupation. Note: 2025–2026 rules have tightened this significantly. Spouses of workers in TEER 3 or lower positions no longer qualify in most cases. Spouses of most undergraduate international students also no longer qualify automatically. Check IRCC's current rules carefully.

How long is a Canadian work permit valid?

Duration depends on the permit type: LMIA-based permits match the employment contract (usually 1–2 years), CUSMA permits are typically issued for 1–3 years, IEC Working Holiday permits are 1–2 years depending on country agreement, Spousal open work permits match the principal applicant's permit. All can be renewed if you remain eligible.

Can I apply for PR on a work permit?

Yes — this is the most common pathway. After 12 months of full-time work in a TEER 0/1/2/3 occupation in Canada, you become eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry. Build your Express Entry profile while working. You can also receive a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination through your province, which adds +600 CRS points and greatly improves your PR chances.