How to Apply for a Canada Work Permit in 2026: Requirements, Steps and Fees
Foreign nationals who want to work in Canada generally need a valid work permit before they can legally begin employment, unless they fall under one of the limited categories that are allowed to work without a permit.
The Canadian government has recently reminded international travellers that having an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) or visitor visa does not give a person the right to work in Canada.
“Having an electronic travel authorisation or visitor visa does not give you the right to work in Canada,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated in guidance shared through its official social media channel.
The clarification is important for foreign nationals who may be planning to travel to Canada as visitors and later seek employment. A visitor visa or eTA is an entry document; it is not a work permit. (Canada)
For people interested in working in Canada, the appropriate route is to determine whether they qualify for a work permit, identify the type of permit they need and submit an application to IRCC.
What is a Canadian work permit?
A work permit is an official document that authorises a foreign national to work in Canada under specified conditions.
IRCC currently recognises two main types of work permits: employer-specific work permits and open work permits.
An employer-specific work permit generally allows a foreign worker to work under conditions specified on the permit. These may include the employer’s name, occupation and location of employment.
An open work permit, on the other hand, can allow an eligible foreign national to work for most employers in Canada. However, open work permits are only available to people who meet specific eligibility requirements. Most people applying from outside Canada are not eligible for an open work permit. (Canada)
Step 1: Determine which work permit you need
Before applying, prospective workers should determine whether they require an employer-specific or open work permit.
An employer-specific work permit generally requires a job offer. Depending on the employment and immigration programme, the employer may also need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or complete other requirements before the foreign worker can apply.
An open work permit does not require a specific job offer, but applicants must belong to an eligible category.
IRCC provides an online tool that helps prospective workers determine whether they are eligible, which type of permit they may need and whether special application instructions apply. (Canada)
Step 2: Secure a Canadian job if required
If you are applying for an employer-specific work permit, you will generally need a job offer from a Canadian employer.
The employer may need to complete additional steps before you apply. For some positions, this can include obtaining an LMIA, which is used to assess the impact of hiring a temporary foreign worker on Canada’s labour market.
However, not every employer-specific work permit requires an LMIA. Some jobs and immigration programmes are exempt from the LMIA requirement.
Applicants should therefore follow the instructions generated by IRCC for their specific circumstances rather than assuming that every Canadian job requires the same process.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
Applicants must provide documents supporting their work-permit application.
The exact documents depend on the applicant’s circumstances, the type of work permit and where the person is applying from.
IRCC’s current document guidance lists forms and supporting evidence that applicants may need, while employer-specific applicants may also have to provide documents connected with their employment. (Canada)
Documents can include items such as:
- A valid passport or travel document
- A completed work-permit application
- A job offer or employment contract, where required
- An LMIA decision letter, where applicable
- Proof of previous employment or relevant work experience, where required
- Evidence that the applicant meets the requirements of the position
- Other supporting documents requested by IRCC
- Biometrics, where required
Applicants should rely on the personalised document checklist generated during the application rather than submitting documents based solely on information found elsewhere.
Step 4: Apply online
For most applicants, IRCC requires the work-permit application to be submitted online.
Applicants applying from outside Canada can sign in to or create an IRCC secure account and begin the application process. After completing the required questionnaire, applicants receive instructions and a personalised document checklist. (Canada)
The basic process is to:
- Determine eligibility and the type of work permit required.
- Complete the online questionnaire.
- Create or sign in to an IRCC secure account.
- Complete the required application forms.
- Upload the requested documents.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Submit the application.
- Complete biometrics if required.
IRCC says applicants should submit a complete application because missing information or documents can delay processing or result in the application being returned or refused.
Step 5: Pay the application fees
The standard work-permit processing fee is currently CAN$155.
Applicants for an open work permit generally pay an additional CAN$100 open work permit holder fee.
Where biometrics are required, the current fee is CAN$85 for an individual or up to CAN$170 for a family applying together. (Canada)
Additional fees may apply in particular circumstances, so applicants should check the official IRCC fee information before submitting their application.
Step 6: Give your biometrics
Many applicants must provide fingerprints and a photograph as part of Canada’s immigration process.
If biometrics are required, IRCC will provide instructions after the application is submitted.
Applicants should follow the instructions and provide their biometrics within the specified period.
Failing to complete a required biometric step can affect the processing of the application.
Step 7: Wait for a decision
After submitting the application and completing all required steps, applicants must wait for IRCC to process the application.
Processing times vary depending on the type of application, where the applicant is applying from and other factors. IRCC updates its processing-time information regularly, so applicants should check the official processing-time tool rather than relying on old timelines. (Canada)
An applicant may also use their IRCC account to receive messages and monitor the application.
Can you apply for a work permit from outside Canada?
Yes. Foreign nationals outside Canada can apply for a Canadian work permit online.
In fact, the Canadian government provides a specific application process for people applying from outside the country. IRCC says applicants should check whether special instructions apply, sign in to an account, upload their documents, pay the required fees, submit the application and provide biometrics if required. (Canada)
For many foreign nationals who want to work in Canada, applying from outside Canada is the appropriate route.
Can visitors in Canada apply for a work permit?
Not every visitor in Canada can apply for a work permit from inside the country.
Eligibility to apply from inside Canada depends on the applicant’s circumstances and current immigration rules.
IRCC’s current guidance provides specific instructions for people applying from inside Canada, and most applications must be submitted online. (Canada)
Therefore, simply entering Canada on a visitor visa and then attempting to obtain employment does not automatically give a visitor the right to work.
Can you work in Canada with an eTA?
No. An eTA is a travel authorisation, not a work permit.
An eTA is used by eligible visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. Having an approved eTA does not authorise employment in Canada. (Canada)
Similarly, a visitor visa allows an eligible foreign national to seek entry to Canada as a visitor but does not automatically authorise employment. (Canada)
This is why people planning to work in Canada should apply through the appropriate work-permit process rather than entering the country as visitors and assuming they can start working.
Can you work without a permit?
There are limited situations in which foreign nationals may work in Canada without a work permit.
IRCC maintains a list of activities and categories where a work permit may not be required. Eligibility depends on the nature of the work and the individual’s circumstances.
Foreign nationals should not assume that a particular job qualifies for an exemption simply because it is temporary or part-time.
Those who believe they qualify for an exemption should confirm the specific requirements before starting work. (Canada)
Important warning for foreign job seekers
Foreign nationals should be particularly careful about employers or agents who promise that a visitor visa or eTA can be converted into permission to work simply after arrival.
A visitor document does not automatically provide employment authorisation.
Anyone seeking a Canadian job should first establish which work-permit programme applies, determine whether a job offer or LMIA is required and follow IRCC’s official application procedure.
Applicants should also be cautious about fraudulent job offers and immigration scams. No employer or agent can guarantee that IRCC will approve a work permit.
How to apply for a Canada work permit in 2026
In summary, the process for many applicants is:
Check eligibility → Find out which work permit you need → Obtain a qualifying job offer if required → Prepare documents → Apply online through IRCC → Pay fees → Give biometrics if required → Wait for a decision.
The Canadian government’s latest reminder makes one point particularly clear: a visitor visa or eTA is not a work permit.
Foreign nationals who want to work legally in Canada should obtain the appropriate work authorisation before beginning employment, unless they fall within a specific category that permits work without a permit.
IRCC’s official work-in-Canada service provides the latest eligibility requirements, application instructions and links to the appropriate application process. (Canada)
Because Canadian immigration requirements can change, prospective applicants should always verify the rules and fees in force at the time they apply and use information published by the Government of Canada rather than relying on outdated social-media posts or unofficial agents.
