First question: what authorizes the work?
Canadian work authorization is not one single program. Many employer-specific work permits require an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada, while other employer-specific permits are LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program. Some people qualify for open work permits that are not tied to one employer.
LMIA-based
The employer generally completes a labour-market process with ESDC/Service Canada before the worker applies for the corresponding work permit.
LMIA-exempt
Exemptions can arise from international agreements, significant benefits, reciprocal employment, Francophone Mobility and other regulatory/public-policy categories.
Open work permits
Only specific categories qualify. Examples can include eligible spouses, graduates, bridging applicants and vulnerable workers under the rules that apply to them.
Work-permit research map
Job offer
Identify employer, occupation, location, wage, duties and whether the role is genuine and compliant.
LMIA or exemption
Determine the legal basis for the work permit before preparing the application.
Employer compliance
For many LMIA-exempt employer-specific permits, the employer must complete Employer Portal steps and pay the compliance fee before filing.
Worker eligibility
Check qualifications, licensing, immigration history, status, medical requirements and admissibility.
Family options
Spousal/dependent eligibility depends on the worker’s permit, occupation and current family-work-permit rules.
Extension / change
Track expiry, maintained-status rules and restrictions on starting work for a new employer.
Francophone Mobility
Francophone Mobility is an LMIA-exempt employer-specific work-permit pathway for eligible French-speaking workers who meet the program’s current conditions and will work outside Quebec. Employer Portal compliance steps still matter.
PGWP and BOWP are different
A Post-Graduation Work Permit is tied to eligible Canadian studies and PGWP rules. A Bridging Open Work Permit is tied to specified permanent-residence application categories and stages. Neither should be treated as a generic open work permit available to everyone.
Common planning mistakes
- Assuming every Canadian job offer automatically creates a work permit.
- Using the wrong LMIA-exemption code or skipping Employer Portal requirements.
- Ignoring occupation-specific licensing or medical requirements.
- Changing employers before having authority to work for the new employer.
- Assuming a spouse automatically qualifies for an open work permit under old rules.