Last Updated on June 11, 2016

Here you will find information on where to apply for a work permit.

There are three locations at which a foreign national can apply for a work permit: A visa office outside of Canada A Canadian port of entry A visa office within Canada

The requirements for the various application locations are summarized below.

Applying at a visa office outside of Canada

All persons may apply for a work permit from a visa office outside of Canada. However, the following individuals must apply for a work permit from a visa office outside of Canada:

1. Individuals who require a temporary resident visa (TRV) in order to enter Canada. Usually, anyone traveling to Canada as a temporary resident or worker must have a TRV. This rule, however, does not apply to:
   1. Citizens of certain countries.
   2. Travellers who hold certain travel documents.
   3. Foreign nationals coming to Canada for certain legally specified purposes.
   4. Persons who are subject to the TRV exceptions listed above may apply for a work permit at a Canadian port of entry or from within Canada depending on whether or not they require a medical examination. For a full list of countries of citizenship, travel documents and travel purposes that allow for an exemption from the TRV requirement, Click here.
2. Individuals who require a medical exam in order to enter Canada. This applies to applicants who need a TRV to enter Canada andapplicants who do not need a TRV. If an applicant has already undergone a successful medical examination and is in possession of the results, he/she may apply for a work permit at a Canadian port of entry. For more information on medical exams, click here. (Medical Exams for Temporary Foreign Worker Applicants)
3. International youth exchange program participants. This requirement does not apply to citizens or permanent residents of the USA. Also, some foreign nationals not from the USA will sometimes be approved in advance by the responsible visa office and thus, not be required to apply from outside of Canada.  
4. Seasonal agricultural workers.
5. Live-in caregivers.

Applying at a Canadian port of entry

Most foreign workers must apply for a work permit from outside of Canada (see above). Some applicants, however, can apply for a work permit upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry. An applicant can apply at a Canadian port of entry if they meet all of the following requirements:

1. They will not be working as live-in caregivers or seasonal agricultural workers.
2. They do not need a TRV to enter Canada.
3. They have passed the medical examination, if required. (Medical Exams for Temporary Foreign Worker Applicants)
4. Their employer has submitted a copy of a valid LMIA, if required. (Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs)) (Jobs That Are Exempt from the LMIA Requirement)
5. Their employer has paid the compliance fee and submitted an offer of employment letter to CIC.

Applying from within Canada

The following individuals may apply for a temporary work permit from within Canada.

1. Individuals living in Canada and holding a valid study or work permit.
2. Individuals working in Canada in a job that does not require a work permit that are applying for a second job that does require a work permit. Note: This rule does not apply to business visitors. For more information on business visitors, click here. (Occupations That Do Not Require a Work Permit in Canada)
3. Individuals whose spouse or parents have a valid Canadian study or work permit.
4. Individuals who have graduated from a program at:
   1. A Canadian university.
   2. A Canadian community college.
   3. A CEGEP.
   4. A publicly funded trade or technical school.
   5. Another eligible Canadian school.
   6. Individuals who hold a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more.
   7. Individuals that are in Canada because they have already applied for permanent residence from within Canada.
   8. Refugee claimants and individuals subject to an unenforceable removal order.
   9. Permanent residence applicants living in Canada who are members of the following classes:
      1. Live-in Caregiver.
      2. Spouses or Common-Law Partner.
      3. Protected Persons.
      4. Persons filing an application on compassionate and humanitarian grounds.
      5. Individuals holding work permits that were: authorized at a Canadian mission abroad and NOT issued at a Canadian port of entry.
      6. Mexican citizens admitted to Canada as temporary residents who are applying to work under NAFTA.
      7. USA citizens admitted to Canada as temporary residents who are applying to work under a NAFTA professional or intra-company transferee program.
      8. Foreign workers who have written permission from the Canadian government to work at a foreign embassy, consulate or high commission in Canada.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.