A Canadian work permit lets you work for an employer in Canada for a defined period. Most work permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — a document the employer must obtain from Service Canada showing that hiring a foreign worker won't harm Canadian workers. This page covers the worker-side process for every major LMIA stream.
Work permit at a glance
- Application fee: CAD $155 (worker portion); employer pays $1,000 LMIA fee
- Open work permit holder fee: +$100 if applying for open permit
- Biometrics: CAD $85 per person
- Processing time: 6–12 weeks outside Canada, 2–4 weeks inside Canada
- Duration: Tied to the LMIA validity (typically 1–3 years)
- Closed (employer-specific) — you work for one named employer only
LMIA-based work permits — Inside Canada vs Outside Canada
| Application location | Who it's for | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside Canada (visa office) | First-time applicants from outside Canada | 6–12 weeks (varies by country) | You enter Canada with the work permit issued at the port of entry |
| Inside Canada (online) | You already hold valid temporary status (study, work, or visitor permit) | 2–4 weeks | You can usually keep working under "implied status" while waiting |
| Port of entry (limited) | US/Mexico citizens with positive LMIA | Same day | Bring all docs to the border; risky if anything missing |
High-Wage vs Low-Wage LMIA — the key distinction
The 2024 LMIA reform tightened low-wage rules significantly. Your job is classified based on whether your wage equals/exceeds the provincial/territorial median wage:
| Stream | Wage threshold | Key requirements | 2024–2026 caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Wage LMIA | At or above provincial median wage | Transition plan, advertising, recruitment | No cap on positions; LMIA validity 12 months |
| Low-Wage LMIA | Below provincial median wage | Housing inspection, transport, healthcare, settlement; capped to 10–20% of workforce | Reduced from 20%→10% for new entrants in many regions (Sept 2024) |
Provincial median wage examples (2026): Ontario ~$28.39/hr, BC ~$28.85/hr, Alberta ~$29.50/hr, Quebec ~$27.47/hr. Wage thresholds update annually.
Agricultural streams
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) — workers from Mexico and 11 Caribbean countries for primary agriculture (max 8 months). Special protections, government-to-government agreement.
- Agricultural Stream (non-SAWP) — for primary agriculture from any country. Up to 24-month work permits. Lower LMIA fee ($1,000) but stringent housing/wage requirements.
- Stream for Lower-Skilled Occupations (food processing) — workers in meat processing, fish/seafood plants, etc.
Global Talent Stream — fastest LMIA
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) offers 2-week LMIA processing for in-demand tech and unique-talent occupations. Category A is for innovative employers referred by designated partners; Category B covers occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List (software engineers, data scientists, web developers, etc.). If your employer qualifies for GTS, your overall timeline drops from ~5 months to ~6–8 weeks total.
Step-by-step worker process
- Employer obtains the LMIA. This takes 8–12 weeks (or 2 weeks via GTS). You can't apply for a work permit until the LMIA is positive.
- Receive the LMIA confirmation letter from your employer (you'll need a copy).
- Apply for the work permit. Outside Canada → through the visa office serving your country; inside Canada → online via IRCC portal.
- Provide biometrics if not already on file (within 30 days of application).
- Complete medical exam if applying for 6+ months OR working in healthcare/childcare/agriculture.
- Wait for decision. If approved outside Canada, you'll receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter — bring it to the border.
- Enter Canada with passport + POE Letter + LMIA + employment contract. The CBSA officer issues your physical work permit at the border.
Documents you'll need
- Original positive LMIA from your employer + employment contract
- Passport valid for the entire requested permit duration + 6 months
- CV/resume and proof of qualifications (degrees, certifications, licenses)
- Work experience reference letters matching the NOC duties
- Police certificates from countries lived in 6+ months (some streams)
- Medical exam (panel physician) if required
- Proof of funds (recommended even when not strictly required)
- Family information form (IMM 5645)
- Spouse and child documentation if accompanying you
Common refusal reasons
- LMIA inconsistencies — wage, NOC, or duties on your offer don't match what the employer submitted on the LMIA
- Inadequate ties to home country — officer not convinced you'll leave at the end of the permit (common with first-time applicants)
- Misrepresentation — even minor discrepancies in employment history or education can trigger a 5-year ban
- Weak proof of qualifications — degree, license, or experience doesn't match the NOC level claimed
- Wrong stream filed — applying inside Canada when you're not eligible (no valid status, status restoration issues)
Family — bringing spouse and kids
If your LMIA-based work permit is in TEER 0 or TEER 1, your spouse can qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) — they can work for any employer in Canada. Children can study at any K–12 school without a separate study permit if the parent has a valid work permit.
Note: The Jan 2025 SOWP rule changes restricted eligibility for spouses of TEER 2/3 workers. See our SOWP page for current criteria.
What happens next — bridging to PR
Time on a Canadian work permit isn't wasted — 12 months of TEER 0/1/2/3 work qualifies you for the Canadian Experience Class. Most LMIA-based work permits also score 50–200 CRS points in Express Entry (depending on the NOC and whether it's LMIA-supported). See TR to PR Pathway for the strategy.
Useful official resources
- IRCC — Work in Canada temporarily
- ESDC — Provincial/territorial median wage thresholds
- ESDC — Agricultural streams overview
- IRCC — Work permit eligibility
Have an LMIA-supported job offer? The work permit application is the easier half — but small inconsistencies trigger refusals that cost months. Our RCICs cross-check the LMIA, employment contract, and your supporting docs before filing. Book a free work permit assessment.
