Employer-specific and open permits work differently.
| Permit | Employer/job | Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| Employer-specific | Names employer and may restrict occupation/location | Usually positive LMIA or LMIA-exempt Employer Portal offer number; employer compliance required |
| Open work permit | May allow most employers, with occupation/medical restrictions | Only for a listed category such as certain spouses, graduates, PR applicants, protected/vulnerable workers or public-policy groups |
| No permit required | Only specified short activities/occupations | Exemption must cover the actual duties; entry document may still be required |
Separate the TFWP from LMIA-exempt IMP cases.
LMIA
ESDC assesses labour-market impact, recruitment, wage and employer requirements before the worker applies.
LMIA-exempt
Employer usually submits the offer and compliance fee in the Employer Portal before the worker applies, unless the exemption also removes that step.
Offer consistency
NOC, duties, wage, location, duration and employer records must match across job offer, LMIA/offer number and application.
Employer legitimacy
Officers assess the business, genuine need, ability to pay and compliance; buying an offer is fraud.
The worker still needs an approvable temporary-residence case.
- 01
Show the exact category, qualifications, licensing where required and ability to perform the work.
- 02
Prove identity, status, family, funds and that the person will leave Canada when authorized stay ends, while recognizing lawful dual intent.
- 03
Address criminality, medical needs, prior refusals, unauthorized work, removals and misrepresentation.
- 04
Complete medical examination before work in health care, child care, primary/secondary education or other designated settings/countries when required.
- 05
Family-member work authorization is not automatic; spouse open-work-permit rules depend on the principal worker/student category and current policy.
Apply from the correct place.
Outside Canada
Normal route for a person who needs authorization before travel; obtain TRV/eTA as part of processing where applicable.
Inside Canada
Only listed categories can make an initial application; extensions and changes require valid/maintained status and category eligibility.
Port of entry
Only visa-exempt, eligible applicants who meet POE rules; never assume flagpoling or airport issuance is available.
Québec
An LMIA-based job often also needs a CAQ unless an exemption applies.
Apply before expiry and understand maintained status.
- 01
A timely in-Canada extension lets the person remain while IRCC decides. Work authorization continues only under the statutory conditions.
- 02
If extending the same employer-specific conditions, the worker may continue for the same employer, job and location while waiting.
- 03
Applying to change employer/job does not by itself authorize the new work. Request and receive IRCC’s interim work authorization where the public policy/process applies, or wait for approval.
- 04
An open-permit holder may change eligible employers but must extend before permit expiry to continue after the expiry date.
- 05
Maintained status generally ends on leaving Canada; provincial health, driver’s licence and SIN updates may be difficult while the permit is expired.
After expiry, stop working and assess restoration.
- 01
A person who did not apply before expiry normally loses work authorization immediately.
- 02
Restoration is generally requested within 90 days, together with the new permit application and fees, if all requirements are met.
- 03
Restoration is discretionary and usually does not authorize work while pending.
- 04
Unauthorized work can affect future permits, PR eligibility and employer compliance; disclose it accurately.
Worker rights and employer compliance matter.
Employment standards
Foreign workers have the same basic workplace protections; employers cannot take passports or charge prohibited recruitment fees.
Abuse
A worker on an employer-specific permit experiencing or at risk of abuse may qualify for a vulnerable-worker open permit.
Conditions
Follow employer, occupation, location, medical and expiry restrictions exactly.
Fraud
Verify the employer and representative. No employer can sell guaranteed PR or require repayment of an LMIA fee by the worker.
Official sources
Check the live form and instructions again before applying.
This guide provides general information, not legal advice. Laws, forms, fees and application methods can change.