How do you apply for a work permit in Canada in 2026?

An employer-specific work permit names the employer, and often the location and occupation, on the document. You must follow those conditions. Most of these jobs require the employer to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada first, then give you the positive LMIA letter and job offer materials for your IRCC application.

Some jobs are LMIA-exempt. In those cases the employer usually submits the offer through the IRCC Employer Portal and gives you an offer of employment number that starts with "A" before you apply.

An open work permit is not tied to one employer. Eligibility is limited to specific categories (for example some spouses or other IRCC programs). Open permits still bar work for employers on IRCC's ineligible list or in certain restricted adult-entertainment businesses.

Confirm whether you apply from outside Canada, at a port of entry (only if eligible), or from inside Canada to extend or change conditions. Most applicants use IRCC's online account, upload identity and civil documents, and pay the required fees. Biometrics and medical exams follow IRCC instructions for your nationality and job type.

Processing times change and are not evergreen facts. Check the live IRCC tool for your category instead of relying on a blog date. Do not start unauthorized work while you wait.

After the permit is issued and you land, get a SIN before employers can pay you correctly, then open a bank account for salary deposits. Provincial health enrolment still depends on your status and province; see provincial health insurance.

A work permit is temporary authorization. Longer-term settlement often uses economic programs such as Express Entry, which can lead to permanent residence and later a PR card. Express Entry is not itself a work permit. Some temporary workers later qualify for PR pathways; others remain temporary until a new permit or status is approved.

Remote workers paid only by an overseas company still need to confirm whether IRCC considers their activity "work" in Canada. Do not assume a tourist entry covers productive remote work.