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12 programs for Canada. Explore the options and get an expert assessment.
A bridging open work permit lets people who have applied for permanent residence under certain economic programs keep working while they wait for a decision. It bridges the gap when a current work permit is about to expire. It is an open permit, so the holder can work for most employers.
Foreign caregivers can come to Canada on a work permit to provide in-home child care or support for the elderly or people with high medical needs. Current caregiver programs generally remove the old live-in requirement and lead toward permanent residence. A qualifying job offer is normally required.
Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, an employer usually needs a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment showing no Canadian was available before hiring you. The resulting work permit ties you to that specific employer, job, and location. It is the standard route when a job is not exempt from a labour market test.
Francophone Mobility lets French-speaking workers take jobs outside Quebec without their employer needing a labour market assessment. It is meant to help French-speaking communities across Canada grow. Applicants must show they can speak and understand French at an intermediate level.
The Global Skills Strategy offers fast two-week processing for highly skilled workers and certain in-demand tech occupations. It pairs an LMIA-exempt stream for high-skill roles with the Global Talent Stream for employer-driven hiring. It is designed to help Canadian companies bring in specialized talent quickly.
International Experience Canada lets young people from partner countries work and travel in Canada through one of three categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op. Candidates enter a pool and are invited to apply in rounds. It is a popular way for young adults to gain Canadian work experience.
The International Mobility Program covers work permits that do not need a labour market assessment, usually because they serve broader Canadian interests or come from trade agreements. It includes intra-company transferees, treaty professionals, and other exempt categories. Employers still submit an offer and pay a compliance fee through the employer portal.
Multinational companies can move certain employees to a Canadian branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate without a labour market assessment. It is generally limited to executives, senior managers, and specialized-knowledge staff. Trade agreements such as CUSMA contain their own versions of this route.
An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada without a specific job offer or labour market assessment. It is only available in defined situations, such as being a recent graduate, a spouse of a skilled worker or student, a permanent-residence applicant, or a protected person. It gives much more flexibility than an employer-specific permit.
Graduates of eligible Canadian programs can get an open work permit to gain Canadian work experience after finishing their studies. The permit's length is tied to how long the program was, up to a maximum of three years. This Canadian work experience is often the springboard to permanent residence through Express Entry.
Spouses, common-law partners, and sometimes dependent children of certain workers, students, or PR applicants can get an open work permit. This lets the family member work for almost any employer while the principal person studies, works, or waits for permanent residence. Eligibility depends on the principal person's status and job level.
Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. There are two broad kinds: employer-specific permits tied to one job, and open permits that let you work for almost any employer. Which one you can get depends on your situation and whether your employer needs a labour market assessment.
The International Mobility Program (IMP) is a great option for workers whose jobs are exempt from a labour market test, including intra-company transfers and treaty-based professionals.
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program that allows young adults from partner countries to work and travel in Canada.
Intra-Company Transfer allows multinational companies to move certain employees to a Canadian branch without a labour market assessment, typically limited to executives, senior managers, and specialized-knowledge staff who meet specific requirements.
To work in Canada, most foreign nationals require a work permit, which comes in two main types: employer-specific and open permits.
The Caregiver Work Permit is a program that allows foreign caregivers to come to Canada and provide in-home child care or support for the elderly or people with high medical needs.
To apply for International Experience Canada (IEC), there are several key requirements, costs, and processing times to consider.
You generally qualify if you apply online from outside Canada and your job is backed by a Global Talent Stream LMIA (Category A or B) or falls under specified high-skilled LMIA-exempt situations.
The International Mobility Program (LMIA-Exempt) is designed for workers whose jobs are exempt from a labor market test, including intra-company transfers and treaty-based professionals.
Take the assessment or ask Acey, our immigration assistant.
Work abroad — Canada