Work in Canada
Work Permits
Whether your permit runs through an LMIA, an LMIA-exempt category, or an open-permit stream, the difference between approval and refusal is usually documentation. We map the right stream for your situation and prepare the strongest possible application — the final decision always rests with the officer.
Who it's for
- Foreign nationals with a Canadian job offer who need an employer-specific work permit
- Workers already in Canada whose permit is expiring and who need to extend or change conditions
- Applicants unsure whether their role needs an LMIA or fits an LMIA-exempt (IMP) category
- Spouses and graduates checking eligibility for open work permits under the tightened 2025 rules
- Workers changing employers who must apply for a new permit before starting the new job
- Applicants with a previous work permit refusal who want a properly rebuilt file
Common scenarios
Job offer from abroad
You have an offer from a Canadian employer but no status in Canada. We confirm whether the role needs an LMIA or qualifies for an exemption, then sequence the employer-side and applicant-side filings so neither blocks the other.
Expiring permit, changing rules
Your current permit ends in a few months and the stream you used last time has changed. We assess maintained status, timing, and whether a different category now fits better than a straight extension.
Switching employers mid-permit
A better offer arrived but your permit names your current employer. We plan the new application — and where available, the change-of-employer facilitation process — so you do not work without authorization.
Evidence checklist
- Valid passport and current immigration documents (permits, visas, entry stamps)
- Job offer letter or employment contract with duties, wage, and duration
- LMIA decision letter or offer of employment number (IMP, via the Employer Portal)
- Proof of qualifications: diplomas, licences, and reference letters matching the NOC/TEER duties
- Detailed work history with letters confirming titles, duties, and dates
- Proof of funds to support yourself (and family) on arrival
- Police certificates and upfront medical exam where the job or country of residence requires them
- Status documents for accompanying spouse or children, if applicable
Exact requirements vary by program and profile — treat this as a planning baseline, not advice on your specific file.
Process overview
Stream diagnosis
We review the offer, your history, and current program rules to identify every permit route open to you — and rank them by evidence strength and timeline.
Employer-side setup
Where needed, we coordinate the LMIA or the IMP offer of employment and compliance-fee filing so the employer side is done correctly before you apply.
Application build
We assemble forms, evidence, and a submission letter that ties your qualifications to the role and addresses admissibility and dual intent head-on.
Filing and follow-through
We submit, monitor for biometrics, medicals, and additional-document requests, and respond quickly so the file never stalls on our side.
Risks & common mistakes
Starting a new job before the new employer-specific permit is approved.
Working outside your permit conditions is unauthorized work. Wait for approval or use the documented change-of-employer process before switching.
Assuming an open work permit is available because it was in 2023.
Spousal and post-graduation open permit rules tightened significantly in 2024–2025. Verify eligibility against the current criteria before building plans around one.
Submitting reference letters that don't match the NOC duties of the offered job.
Officers compare your history to the lead statement and duties of the claimed occupation. Letters should cover duties, not just titles and dates.
Letting status lapse while waiting to apply.
Applying before expiry preserves maintained status and your right to keep working under the same conditions. Diarize your expiry date months in advance.
Related pathways
Frequently asked questions
Next step
Let's find the right permit route before you file.
Every file starts with an honest assessment: what you qualify for, what the evidence needs to show, and what the realistic timeline looks like. We prepare the strongest possible application — and we're direct with you about risk, because the final decision on every application rests with the officer, never with us.
Tell us about your situation
We review every enquiry and reply within one business day.