Canada Work Visa: Requirements, Eligibility, Process & Documents for Indians
Everything you need to know about Canadian work permits. Open and Employer-Specific streams, LMIA and LMIA-exempt routes, eligibility, fees, and step-by-step application process.
Varies by category
From CAD 155 (work permit) + CAD 85 biometrics
Up to 3 years (category-dependent)
Canada Work Visa is a temporary work permit issued by IRCC that authorises a foreign national to work in Canada for a defined period. It is not a single visa, but a family of permits grouped into two main categories — Open Work Permits (OWP) and Employer-Specific (Closed) Work Permits. Open permits let you work for almost any Canadian employer, while employer-specific permits tie you to one named employer, one role, and usually one location. Popular streams include SOWP, PGWP, BOWP, and LMIA-based and LMIA-exempt employer permits under the TFWP and IMP.
It is designed for skilled professionals, recent international graduates, spouses of workers or students, and in-Canada PR applicants bridging to permanent residence. Worker-paid fees start at CAD 155 for the work permit, plus CAD 85 for biometrics; Open Work Permits add a CAD 100 open work permit holder fee for a total of CAD 255. Employer-paid LMIA processing costs CAD 1,000 and cannot be charged back to the worker. Most Canadian work permits are a proven bridge to permanent residence through Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class, and employer-driven Provincial Nominee Program streams.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canada Work Visa?
- Foreign professionals with a job offer from a Canadian employer, supported by a positive LMIA or an LMIA-exempt IMP offer of employment
- International graduates of a PGWP-eligible Designated Learning Institution applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit
- Spouses or common-law partners of foreign workers in Canada who hold select high-skilled TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations, or whose principal applicant has applied for permanent residence through an eligible economic immigration program
- Spouses or common-law partners of international students in master's programs of 16 months or longer, or in doctoral or select professional programs
- Temporary residents in Canada who have applied for PR under Express Entry or an eligible PNP stream and need to bridge their work authorisation
- Intra-Company Transferees being moved to a Canadian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of a multinational employer
- Professionals covered by free trade agreements such as CUSMA, CETA, or CPTPP entering under LMIA-exempt IMP streams
- Caregivers under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots with an offer tied to a specific Canadian household or employer
- Temporary workers facing abuse or at risk of abuse, eligible for a Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit
- Applicants under public policy streams such as the Ukraine CUAET measure or the Hong Kong pathway
Specific eligibility criteria vary by permit type. Visit individual permit pages for exact requirements, LMIA rules, and language score minimums.
Detailed Guides
Explore by type.
Find your perfect pathway.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canada Work Visa?
- Permit Types: Open Work Permit (OWP) or Employer-Specific (Closed) Work Permit
- Job Offer Required: Yes for employer-specific; No for most Open Work Permits
- LMIA Requirement: Required for TFWP-stream employer permits; exempt for IMP and all Open Work Permits
- Education Requirement: Varies by stream — PGWP requires a completed PGWP-eligible DLI program of 8+ months
- Language Test Requirement: Required for PGWP (CLB 7 for university, CLB 5 for college); generally not required for other streams
- Work Experience Requirement: Varies by stream — none for PGWP or SOWP; role-specific experience for LMIA and ICT streams
- Proof of Funds: Applicant must show ability to support themselves and family during stay in Canada
- Medical Exam Required: Required if working in healthcare, child care, or after 6+ months in a designated country
- Police Clearance Required: Often required from every country where you lived 6+ months since age 18
- Biometrics Required: Yes for most applicants — fingerprints and photograph at a designated collection centre
- Work Permit Fee: CAD 155 per applicant
- Open Work Permit Holder Fee: CAD 100 — applies only to Open Work Permits
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 per person (CAD 170 per family)
- LMIA Processing Fee: CAD 1,000 — paid by the Canadian employer, not the worker
- Validity Period: Typically 1-3 years — matches the LMIA, offer length, or underlying eligibility category
- Extension Allowed: Yes — subject to continued eligibility and before current permit expiry
Documents
What are the documents required for Canada Work Visa?
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the intended stay in Canada
- Digital passport-style photograph meeting IRCC specifications
- Offer of employment and positive LMIA number (for LMIA-based employer-specific permits)
- Offer of Employment number A# (for LMIA-exempt IMP offers)
- Educational credentials and transcripts — including PGWP completion letter for post-graduation applicants
- Language test results such as IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada (required for PGWP)
- Proof of relationship documents for SOWP applicants — marriage certificate or common-law evidence
- Copy of principal applicant's work or study permit for SOWP applicants
- Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for a PR application for Bridging Open Work Permit applicants
- Proof of funds — bank statements showing sufficient financial support
- Police clearance certificates from every country where you lived 6+ months since age 18
- Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician (where required)
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) collected at a designated collection centre
- Travel history, previous visa refusals (if any), and family information forms
Application Process
How to Apply for a Canada Work Visa: Step-by-Step Process
Identify the Correct Work Permit Category
Determine whether you need an Open Work Permit or an Employer-Specific Work Permit. Your category depends on whether you have a job offer, an LMIA, a spouse in Canada, a completed Canadian program, or an in-process PR application.
Secure the Underlying Eligibility Document
For LMIA-based permits, your employer applies to ESDC for a positive LMIA. For IMP offers, the employer submits an Offer of Employment and pays the CAD 230 compliance fee. For PGWP, you complete your eligible program. For SOWP, your principal applicant must hold an eligible permit.
Prepare Required Documents
Gather your passport, job offer and LMIA or offer of employment number, educational transcripts, language test results (if required), proof of funds, relationship documents for SOWP, and police clearance certificates as applicable.
Submit Your Work Permit Application Online
Most Indian applicants submit their work permit application online through the IRCC secure account. Pay the CAD 155 work permit fee, the CAD 100 open work permit holder fee where applicable, and the CAD 85 biometrics fee.
Complete Biometrics and Medical Exam
Provide biometrics at a designated Visa Application Centre within 30 days of the biometrics instruction letter. Complete a medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician if your occupation or country of residence requires it.
Application Review and Decision
IRCC reviews your application and may request additional information. Processing times vary significantly by category and visa office. Always check the official IRCC processing-times tool for current estimates before applying.
Receive Your Port of Entry Letter
If approved, you receive a Port of Entry (POE) introduction letter. Overseas applicants also receive a temporary resident visa (TRV) counterfoil in their passport. Your actual work permit is printed by a Canadian Border Services Agency officer at the border.
Enter Canada and Transition to PR
Present your POE letter and supporting documents on arrival to have your work permit issued. Use your Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class, a Provincial Nominee Program, or an employer-driven pathway.
Understanding the Canada Work Visa landscape is essential to choose the right permit and avoid costly delays or refusals. Each stream has specific conditions, eligibility factors, and documentation rules. Review these carefully before applying.
Review every requirement for your chosen permit before applying. This improves your chances of a successful application and a smoother path to permanent residence. For details on eligibility, fees, processing time, and documents, explore the individual permit guides below.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore Work Visa FAQs guide to know the answers of all your questions.
Ready to apply for a Canada Work Visa?
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