Whether you have a Canadian job offer or are eligible for an open work permit, our Licensed RCIC helps you navigate the right pathway for your situation.
Allow you to work for almost any employer in Canada. Common pathways include:
Tied to a specific employer and position. Requires one of:
LMIA-Based Work Permit
Your Canadian employer obtains an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), confirming no qualified Canadian was available for the role. You then apply for the work permit.
CUSMA / USMCA (Canada-US-Mexico)
US and Mexican citizens in certain professional occupations can obtain an employer-specific work permit without an LMIA under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
Intra-Company Transfers
Executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge workers being transferred to a Canadian affiliate, subsidiary, or parent company may be eligible for an LMIA-exempt work permit.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
Young adults from partner countries (under age 35) can apply to work in Canada through Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op streams without a job offer.
Many work permit holders use their Canadian work experience to transition to permanent residence through Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or provincial nominee programs. We can map out your pathway from the very beginning.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirming that a foreign worker is needed to fill a job and no Canadian worker was available. Many work permits require a positive LMIA, but there are also many LMIA-exempt categories under CUSMA, intra-company transfers, and international agreements.
An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, in any occupation, anywhere in the country. Common categories include spouses of skilled workers or students, post-graduation work permit (PGWP) holders, and applicants waiting on permanent residence decisions.
Processing times vary by work permit type and your country of citizenship. Online applications are generally faster than paper applications. LMIA-based permit processing times can range from a few weeks to several months. An RCIC can help you choose the fastest eligible pathway.
Yes. Canadian work experience gained on a work permit can make you eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of Express Entry, or various Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, both of which lead to permanent residence.
Use your Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry's CEC stream.
Study in Canada to gain credentials and qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Many PNP streams target workers in specific occupations — get nominated and fast-track to PR.
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Every situation is different. Book a free consultation and we'll identify the right work permit pathway for you and your employer.
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