You must have a valid work permit* to work in Canada.

Steps in this process:

1. An employer must first offer you a job.

2. The Human Resource department (HRSDC) must provide a positive labour market opinion of your job offer(see exceptions below**).

3. After HRSDC confirms that a foreign worker may fill the job, you may apply to CIC for your work permit.

NOTE:
You can enter Canada on a work permit and may work for the duration of the contract. However, you cannot obtain permanent residency through this process. In order to get a PR status, you will have to apply through the skilled worker program.

*In special situations, you may be able to work temporarily in Canada without holding a work permit.

• Business Visitors

• Foreign Representatives

• Family Members of Foreign Representatives

• Military Personnel

• Foreign Government Officers

• On-Campus Employment

• Performing Artists

• Athletes and Coaches

• News Reporters

• Public Speakers

• Convention Organizers

• Clergy

• Judges and Referees

• Examiners and Evaluators

• Expert Witnesses or Investigators

• Health-Care Students

• Civil Aviation Inspectors

• Accident or Incident Inspectors

• Crew Members

• Emergency Service Providers

** Exceptions: The following categories do not need HRSDC approval.

1. International Agreements
North American Free Trade Agreement certain professionals, traders, investors and business people entering under regulation do not need a labour market opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). A similar agreement is also in place for Chile. This regulation also allows the issuance of work permits to people who enter Canada under other types of international agreements.

2. Entrepreneurs, Company Transfers
Some types of entrepreneurs, intra-company transferees and other types of workers who will provide significant benefit to Canadians or permanent residents by working in Canada do not need a labour market opinion from HRSDC.

3. Exchange Programs
Persons whose employment in Canada provides similar employment to Canadians abroad, such as participants in youth exchange programs, exchange teachers and other reciprocal programs do not need a labour market opinion from HRSDC.

4. Students Doing Co-op
Foreign students studying in Canada who need to work in order to fulfil co-op placements do not need a labour market opinion from HRSDC.

5. Spouses
Spouses and common-law partners of certain skilled foreign workers, spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign students, and spouses and common-law partners of a work permit holder doing post-graduation employment do not need a labour market opinion from HRSDC.

6. Religious Work
Persons undertaking charitable or religious work do not need a labour market opinion from HRSDC.

7. Certain persons who need to support themselves while they are in Canada for other reasons such as the refugee determination process do not need a labour market opinion from HRSDC. Certain persons who have been accepted for permanent residence in Canada do not need a labour market opinion from HRSDC.