Work Permits in Canada

A Canadian work permit is not a single program. Most permits fall into two families: employer-specific permits that require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and permits issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP) that do not require an LMIA. The right route depends on your job, your employer, your nationality, and your longer-term immigration goals. MAK Canadian Immigration Services reviews which route may realistically apply to your facts, what documents each route needs, and how to avoid the common reasons work-permit applications are refused. We do not recruit, place, or match applicants with employers, and we do not guarantee a job or a work permit. Final decisions are made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Work permit options at a glance

• LMIA-Based Work Permits (Temporary Foreign Worker Program)
• LMIA-Exempt Work Permits (International Mobility Program)
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
• Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
• Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
• Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit

LMIA-based vs LMIA-exempt work permits

With an LMIA-based permit, the employer first obtains a Labour Market Impact Assessment from ESDC, and the permit is tied to that specific employer and job. With an LMIA-exempt permit under the International Mobility Program, no LMIA is required because the work meets an exemption - for example, certain trade-agreement professionals (such as under CUSMA), intra-company transfers, or work considered to bring a significant benefit to Canada, where applicable. We review which route, if any, fits your situation.

Open work permits

Some permits are "open" (not tied to one employer), such as certain spousal permits, bridging permits, and post-graduation permits. Eligibility for open permits has narrowed in recent years, so we confirm whether you currently qualify before you apply.

Employer-specific work permits

Most LMIA-based permits, and some LMIA-exempt permits, authorise work for one employer in one role. We review the job offer, the employer's documents, and the conditions attached to the permit.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

The PGWP lets eligible graduates of designated learning institutions work in Canada after studies. Eligibility depends on the institution and, for non-degree programs, on whether the program's field of study is on IRCC's eligible list. For 2026, IRCC says it will not add or remove eligible fields of study. Confirm your program's status before relying on it.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

A BOWP can let certain applicants who have applied for permanent residence keep working while their PR application is processed. We review whether you meet the current conditions.

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)

Eligibility for spousal open work permits has narrowed. We confirm current eligibility before advising on this option.

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) category lets multinational companies move executives, senior managers, or specialized-knowledge employees to a qualifying Canadian branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate, without an LMIA. It is an LMIA-exempt work permit under the International Mobility Program, not a business-investment program. We review whether your role and the company relationship realistically fit the category.

Common work permit refusal risks

Common reasons applications are refused include weak or inconsistent documents, an offer or exemption that does not clearly fit the rules, dual-intent and ties concerns, and incomplete evidence. We help you identify and address these before filing. We cannot guarantee approval.

Work permit to permanent residence

Canadian work experience can support a future PR application through Express Entry (for example, the Canadian Experience Class) or a Provincial Nominee Program, but it is not automatic and depends on your full profile. We map the realistic path from a work permit toward PR.

How a licensed RCIC helps

We review work permit options, eligibility, documents, status, and refusal risks; we help you understand whether a route may fit your facts; and we help organize and review your application before filing. We do not recruit, place, or match jobs, and final decisions are made by IRCC.

Frequently asked questions