Licensed & Regulated
Regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)
Work legally in Canada — whether through an employer-specific permit or an open work permit. We identify the right stream for your situation and prepare an application that gets results.
A Canadian Work Permit authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada for a specific employer (a closed work permit) or for any employer of their choosing (an open work permit). The route to a work permit depends on the type of work, the employer's situation, and the worker's personal circumstances — some positions require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while many others are exempt.
LMIA-based work permits require the employer to obtain a positive LMIA from ESDC proving no qualified Canadian was available for the role. LMIA-exempt work permits are available under international trade agreements such as CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) for US and Mexican professionals, Intra-Company Transfers (ICT), or significant benefit to Canada categories. Open work permits are available to spouses of skilled workers and students, and to certain other categories including PGWP holders. Alfalah assesses your situation and identifies the fastest, most appropriate pathway.
When LMIA-exempt categories don't apply, a Canadian employer must obtain a positive LMIA from ESDC before hiring a foreign worker. High-wage and low-wage streams have different requirements for recruitment advertising and transition plans.
Many workers qualify for LMIA-exempt permits under CUSMA (US/Mexican professionals), Intra-Company Transfers, significant benefit (C10/C11), reciprocal employment, or international agreements. These routes are typically faster and don't require employer recruitment efforts.
Open work permits allow the holder to work for any eligible Canadian employer. They are available to spouses of Canadian citizens or PRs, spouses of skilled foreign workers, post-graduation PGWP holders, and certain vulnerable workers.
We assess your occupation, employer, and personal circumstances to identify the optimal work permit stream — LMIA-based, LMIA-exempt (CUSMA, ICT, or significant benefit), or open work permit — before any application is filed.
For employer-specific permits, we review the job offer, NOC code classification, wage, and employment contract to ensure they meet IRCC requirements and match the correct stream.
We compile all required documents — employment offer, credentials, LMIA (if applicable), identity documents, and any trade agreement qualifications — and prepare a complete, organized application package.
We submit the work permit application to IRCC and advise on whether port-of-entry issuance applies or if pre-departure approval is required, coordinating timing with your planned travel and employment start date.
We identify how your Canadian work experience under this permit builds toward permanent residence — through Express Entry's CEC or FSWP, or a Provincial Nominee Program — so every day worked counts toward your longer-term goal.
Licensed & Regulated
Regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)
Book a free 15-minute consultation with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant — we review your situation, clarify your options, and give you a clear path forward.
Canadian work experience gained through a work permit can significantly improve Express Entry CRS scores.
Understanding why applications are refused helps you avoid the same pitfalls. Our consultants review every detail before submission to minimize your risk.
Most employer-specific permits require a positive LMIA or a valid LMIA exemption code — applying without the correct basis leads to refusal.
The offered position and the applicant's qualifications must both align with the claimed NOC TEER code — inconsistencies are identified by officers.
Officers assess whether the applicant's education and work history genuinely support their ability to perform the offered role.
The employer's offer must contain specific information per IRCC requirements — missing wage details, duration, or duties are grounds for refusal.
Discrepancies between stated experience and supporting employer letters, or gaps in employment that are not explained in the application.
A disqualifying health condition identified during medical examination, or a criminal record that renders the applicant inadmissible to Canada.
⚠ A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant reviews every file before submission to identify and address potential refusal grounds. Book a free consultation to have your specific situation assessed.
It depends on the type. Employer-specific work permits require a valid job offer, while open work permits allow work for most Canadian employers without a specific offer.
Yes. Gaining Canadian work experience through a work permit significantly improves eligibility for Express Entry and other PR pathways.
An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada. An employer-specific permit ties you to one employer and may require an LMIA or other authorization.
Work permit durations vary based on the program, job offer terms, and IRCC assessment. Permits are generally issued for the duration of the employment contract.
In many cases, spouses of eligible work permit holders may qualify for an open work permit, and dependent children may be able to study in Canada.
Disclaimer: Immigration requirements, processing times, fees, and eligibility criteria are subject to change without notice based on policies set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). All applications are assessed individually by IRCC. Professional immigration assistance does not guarantee the approval of any application. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Regulatory Notice: Alfalah Immigration Services is regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). In Canada, only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and licensed lawyers are authorized to provide paid immigration advice. You may verify any consultant's registration at college-ic.ca.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal immigration advice. For advice specific to your individual circumstances, please consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.
Alfalah Immigration Services is based in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and proudly assists clients across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Vaughan, Hamilton, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, and communities throughout all provinces of Canada.
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