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. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
may ask you to give them 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.
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE WHEN YOU APPLY
There are specific requirements you need to meet depending on where you are when you apply for your
work permit.
Eligibility requirements if you apply from outside Canada
Anyone can apply before they enter Canada. However, there may be visa office requirements that you
need to meet depending on what country or territory you’re applying from. Make sure you follow the instructions
for how to apply.
You may be eligible for two-week application processing if you meet the requirements of Global Skills
Strategy. The strategy features faster application processing times, work permit exemptions and enhanced
customer service for highly skilled workers.
Eligibility requirements if you apply from inside Canada
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).
Eligibility requirements if you apply at a port of entry when you enter Canada
To apply at a port of entry (POE), you must be eligible for an electronic travel authorization or to
travel without a visitor visa. There are other requirements depending on the type of work permit you’re applying
for.
Employer-specific Work Permit Applicants
Your employer must have completed all of the required steps for your employer-specific work
permit.
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
If you’ll be working in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, you’re not eligible to apply for a
work permit at a POE.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
You may need to give biometrics and take a medical exam before you come to Canada. You should find out
if you need to.
NEED HELP?
Get in Touch for more information or for applying for a work permit.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS
Regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, you must
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE WHEN YOU APPLY
There are specific requirements you need to meet depending on where you are when you apply for your work permit.
Eligibility requirements if you apply from outside Canada
Anyone can apply before they enter Canada. However, there may be visa office requirements that you need to meet depending on what country or territory you’re applying from. Make sure you follow the instructions for how to apply.
You may be eligible for two-week application processing if you meet the requirements of Global Skills Strategy. The strategy features faster application processing times, work permit exemptions and enhanced customer service for highly skilled workers.
Eligibility requirements if you apply from inside Canada
You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if
Eligibility requirements if you apply at a port of entry when you enter Canada
To apply at a port of entry (POE), you must be eligible for an electronic travel authorization or to travel without a visitor visa. There are other requirements depending on the type of work permit you’re applying for.
Employer-specific Work Permit Applicants
Your employer must have completed all of the required steps for your employer-specific work permit.
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
If you’ll be working in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, you’re not eligible to apply for a work permit at a POE.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
You may need to give biometrics and take a medical exam before you come to Canada. You should find out if you need to.
NEED HELP?
Get in Touch for more information or for applying for a work permit.