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
Usually CAD 155; other fees may apply
Category and document dependent
Canada Work Visa is an informal term often used for permission to work in Canada. A work permit authorizes work under its conditions. A visitor visa or eTA is a separate travel document. The two main permit types are open and employer-specific. Open permits require a defined category and can still restrict occupation or location. Employer-specific permits need a qualifying job offer and the applicable employer steps.
The usual worker application fee is CAD 155 when payable. A standard fee-paying open permit adds CAD 100, making CAD 255 before biometrics. Add CAD 85 only when biometrics are payable. IEC and fee-exempt categories differ. Employers pay applicable LMIA or IMP compliance fees separately.
PGWP, family open permits and bridging permits have separate conditions. A job offer, Canadian qualification, spouse's permit or PR application does not by itself establish eligibility. Canadian work may support a later PR application only if that program's requirements are met.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canada Work Visa?
- Applicants meeting the general requirements and a qualifying employer-specific or open-permit category
- Workers with an eligible offer and a positive LMIA where required, or the correct LMIA-exempt employer submission and evidence
- Graduates meeting all PGWP program, status, timing, language and field-of-study conditions that apply to them
- Spouses and eligible family members meeting their particular worker route; standard high-skilled, PR-linked and listed exceptions differ
- Spouses or common-law partners of students with a valid study permit in a qualifying master's of 16+ months, doctoral, listed eligible program or university professional degree
- Principal PR applicants meeting BOWP application-stage, in-Canada and status requirements
- Workers meeting the exact intra-company, trade-agreement or other IMP exemption; nationality and other agreement conditions matter
- Workers meeting vulnerable-worker or another currently available policy route, including its status and evidence conditions
- Care workers qualifying under a current work-permit route; Home Care Worker Immigration PR pilot intake remains paused
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.
Open Work Permit
A flexible temporary work permit that authorises you to work for almost any Canadian employer, with no job offer and no LMIA required. Issue...
Employer-Specific Work Permit
A closed work permit tied to one specific Canadian employer, one role, and usually one location. Issued under the LMIA-based Temporary Forei...
Spousal Open Work Permit
Separate rules apply to spouses of eligible workers, students and sponsored applicants. Check the principal applicant's exact category, rema...
Bridging Open Work Permit
A permit for eligible PR principal applicants in Canada who meet their program's PR application-stage and status requirements. An Express En...
LMIA Work Permit
An employer-specific closed work permit under the TFWP. Requires the Canadian employer to obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment...
International Experience Canada
Working Holiday uses an open permit. Young Professionals and International Co-op use employer-specific permits. Check the country agreement...
Post-Graduation Work Permit
An open permit for graduates who meet all PGWP conditions. DLI graduation alone is insufficient. Duration depends on eligible studies and pa...
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canada Work Visa?
- Permit Types: Open or employer-specific; the appropriate type depends on your eligibility
- Job Offer: Required for employer-specific permits; OWPs require a qualifying category but no job offer
- LMIA: Required if the job is not exempt; OWP employers do not need an LMIA or Employer Portal offer
- Education: Depends on the category and job; PGWP requires an eligible program and all other PGWP conditions
- Language: Route-specific. Most PGWP applicants need approved results; scores and field-of-study rules depend on program and relevant dates
- Work Experience: Depends on the job and category; no single threshold applies to every permit
- Proof of Funds: Show enough money for yourself and family during the stay and to return home, using the route-specific checklist
- Medical Exam: Depends on intended work, stay length and residence or travel history; medical-exam reuse rules may apply
- Police Certificates: Provide certificates when required by the checklist or requested by IRCC
- Biometrics: Follow IRCC instructions; exemptions and valid previous temporary-resident biometrics may apply
- Work Permit Fee: Usually CAD 155 when payable; category-specific fees and exemptions apply
- Open Permit Holder Fee: CAD 100 when payable, in addition to the applicable base fee
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 per individual when payable; eligible-family maximum CAD 170
- Employer Fees: LMIA fee generally CAD 1,000, or IMP compliance fee generally CAD 230, when applicable; separate from worker fees
- Validity and Extension: Category, approved employment, passport and other conditions matter. Extensions require continued eligibility. LMIA expiry is not work duration
Documents
What are the documents required for Canada Work Visa?
- Valid passport or travel document, photographs and current forms shown in your personalized checklist
- For employer-specific permits, the job offer, positive LMIA documents or applicable LMIA-exempt offer number and evidence
- Education, experience and licensing evidence required by the job or category
- For PGWP, completion documents and any required approved language results or field-of-study evidence
- For family permits, relationship proof and the principal applicant's exact worker or student eligibility evidence
- For BOWP, the AOR and required PR-stage, nomination or other program evidence; a pool profile is not a PR application
- Financial support documents, family information and accurate travel, status and refusal history as required
- Police certificates if requested, and medical-exam evidence or previous IME details where applicable
- Biometrics when required and receipts for applicable fees
Application Process
How to Apply for a Canada Work Visa: Step-by-Step Process
Check Your Permit Category
Meet the general requirements and a qualifying open or employer-specific route. A spouse, qualification or PR profile alone does not establish eligibility.
Confirm the Employer or Category Requirements
Obtain required LMIA or LMIA-exempt evidence, subject to exemptions. PGWP, SOWP and BOWP applicants must meet their own category requirements.
Prepare Required Documents
Follow the personalized checklist for your location and route. Check medical requirements and timing before applying.
Submit Your Application and Pay Fees
Follow current IRCC application instructions. Pay only the applicable fees and check exemptions. Keep your submission confirmation.
Complete Required Checks
Follow the biometrics letter and its deadline, and any medical or document requests. Requirements depend on exemptions, prior biometrics, residence history, intended work and stay.
Wait for the Decision
IRCC may request further documents. Check current official processing guidance for the relevant category; an estimate is not a guarantee.
Follow the Approval Instructions
An approved outside-Canada applicant receives an introduction letter and the required travel document where applicable. The letter is not a permit. A border officer assesses entry and issues the permit if you remain eligible. In-Canada approvals differ.
Follow Your Permit Conditions
Check the employer, occupation, location, expiry and conditions. Any later PR application must meet its own rules; a work permit does not guarantee permanent residence.
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. Use the official IRCC and Canada.ca sources below as the final reference for current work permit rules, fees, and processing times before submitting.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, read the Work Visa FAQs.
Last updated October 18, 2026
Official IRCC sources used for this work permit hub
Updated for current IRCC work permit hub guidance
Source-backed by Canada.ca and IRCC fee pages
Immigration rules and processing times change often. Use these official pages as the final authority before paying fees or submitting documents.
Related Resources
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