Question 1

What is a Canada work visa (work permit)?

Accepted Answer

A Canada work permit is a document issued by IRCC that authorises a foreign national to work in Canada for a specific employer (employer-specific/closed work permit) or any employer (open work permit). It is a Temporary Resident document — the work permit itself is not a visa, and most foreign nationals from visa-required countries (including India) also need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA to enter Canada. A work permit does not grant permanent residence, though Canadian work experience is highly valuable for Express Entry and PNP eligibility.

Question 2

What is the difference between an open work permit and an employer-specific work permit?

Accepted Answer

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada (with some restrictions — e.g., employer not listed as ineligible in the IRCC employer compliance regime). You do not need an LMIA or a job offer before applying. Types include Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP), Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP), and International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday permits. An employer-specific (closed) work permit ties you to a single employer, specific job, and location. It requires either a positive LMIA from ESDC or an LMIA exemption under IRPR.

Question 3

What is an LMIA and when is it required?

Accepted Answer

An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirming that hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labour market. The employer must prove that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the job. Most employer-specific work permits require a positive LMIA. LMIA-exempt categories include: PGWP, SOWP, BOWP, IEC work permits, intra-company transferees, NAFTA/CUSMA professionals, and certain significant-benefit-to-Canada categories.

Question 4

How long does Canada work permit processing take from India?

Accepted Answer

Processing times vary by application type and IRCC workload. As of April 2026, approximate processing from India: employer-specific work permit with LMIA: 15–20 weeks; open work permit (SOWP): 12–24 weeks; Post-Graduation Work Permit (inland applicants in Canada): 80–180 days; Bridging Open Work Permit (inland): 100–180 days; IEC working holiday (India not eligible for IEC — citizens of countries with bilateral youth mobility agreements only). Processing times are published weekly by IRCC on their website and fluctuate with seasonal volume.

Question 5

Can my spouse work in Canada while I hold a work permit?

Accepted Answer

Depends on your work permit type and TEER level. Spouses of foreign workers holding a valid employer-specific work permit in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation (or TEER 4 for Atlantic Immigration Program and caregivers) may apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). Spouses of international students in master's, doctoral, or select professional-degree programmes also qualify. Spouses of workers in TEER 4 or 5 occupations (outside special programmes) generally do not qualify. The SOWP authorises the spouse to work for any employer in Canada — a significant immigration advantage.

Question 6

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

Accepted Answer

A PGWP is an open work permit issued to international students who have graduated from an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) programme of at least 8 months in Canada. The PGWP validity matches the programme length: 8 months to under 2 years — PGWP equals programme length; 2 years or more — up to 3 years. A PGWP is a once-in-a-lifetime permit — you cannot get a second one. It is an LMIA-exempt open work permit that allows you to work for any employer, gain Canadian work experience for Express Entry (CEC), and apply for PR. PGWP holders whose permit is expiring and who have a pending PR application may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit.

Question 7

What is a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)?

Accepted Answer

A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) allows certain foreign nationals who have applied for permanent residence under an economic class programme to continue working while their PR application is being processed. Eligibility: you must currently hold a valid work permit or have held one that expired within the last 90 days (and have applied to restore your status), have submitted a complete PR application under Express Entry (FSWP, CEC, FSTP), PNP, or certain other economic programmes, and have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). A BOWP is an open work permit — you can work for any employer while waiting for your PR decision.

Question 8

Can I apply for Canada PR while on a work permit?

Accepted Answer

Yes — in fact, Canadian work experience is one of the strongest factors for Express Entry and many PNP streams. Holding a valid work permit and working in Canada does not automatically grant PR, but Canadian work experience earns CRS points for CEC (Canadian Experience Class) eligibility and the skill transferability factors. After 1 year of full-time skilled Canadian work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), you may qualify for Express Entry under CEC. Many PNP streams also prioritise candidates already working in the province. The PGWP-to-PR pathway is one of the most well-established routes to Canadian permanent residence.

Question 9

What documents do I need for a Canada work permit application?

Accepted Answer

Core documents depend on the work permit type but generally include: valid passport, job offer letter (for employer-specific permits), LMIA decision letter (if applicable), Labour Market Impact Assessment number and expiry, completed work permit application forms (IMM 1295 for outside-Canada, IMM 5710 for inside-Canada), proof of meeting the job's education and experience requirements, language test results where required, medical examination from an IRCC panel physician, police clearance certificates, biometrics, digital photographs, and proof of ties to home country. Open work permit applicants submit different documentation — PGWP applicants need a completion letter and transcript; SOWP applicants need the principal applicant's permit and relationship proof.

Question 10

How much does a Canada work permit cost?

Accepted Answer

Work permit fees: employer-specific work permit — CAD 155 work permit processing fee; open work permit — CAD 155 work permit processing fee + CAD 100 open work permit holder fee (total CAD 255); employer compliance fee — CAD 230 per position (paid by the employer for LMIA-exempt employer-specific permits); biometrics — CAD 85 per person or CAD 170 per family; restoration of status (if applying in-Canada after permit expiry) — additional CAD 229. Certain programmes have separate fees: IEC work permits are CAD 168 + CAD 100 open permit holder fee; PGWP fees are CAD 255 (CAD 155 + CAD 100).

Canada Work Visa FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Common questions.
Clear answers.

What is a Canada work visa (work permit)?

What is the difference between an open work permit and an employer-specific work permit?

What is an LMIA and when is it required?

How long does Canada work permit processing take from India?

Can my spouse work in Canada while I hold a work permit?

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

What is a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)?

Can I apply for Canada PR while on a work permit?

What documents do I need for a Canada work permit application?

How much does a Canada work permit cost?

Ready to apply for a Canada Work Visa?

Canada Work Visa FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Common questions. Clear answers.

What is a Canada work visa (work permit)?

What is the difference between an open work permit and an employer-specific work permit?

What is an LMIA and when is it required?

How long does Canada work permit processing take from India?

Can my spouse work in Canada while I hold a work permit?

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

What is a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)?

Can I apply for Canada PR while on a work permit?

What documents do I need for a Canada work permit application?

How much does a Canada work permit cost?

Ready to apply for a Canada Work Visa?

Common questions.
Clear answers.