Employer-specific work permit; open work permit only for special circumstances in Canada

Employer-specific work permit; open work permit only for special circumstances · Canada visa route

skilled · last reviewed 2026-06 · all Canada routes

An employer-led or qualification-based work route.

Important notes

• Canada has employer-specific and open work permits.
• The employer-specific route is most common: applicant needs a job offer from a compliant employer and must meet general work permit requirements; employer may need LMIA or, if LMIA-exempt, an Employer Portal offer/employer compliance fee.
• Employer-specific route depends on job offer, LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer; salary/wage rules vary by LMIA/program and occupation.

Official source

Official source: Canada official source

Also look at similar visas from these countries

🇨🇷 Costa Rica Special category / temporary worker work authorisation routes Open this route → 🇲🇽 Mexico Residence with work permission Open this route → 🇺🇸 United States H-1B specialty occupation Open this route → 🇪🇪 Estonia Short-term employment registration or temporary residence permit for employment Open this route →

Visa rules change frequently. This page is a research guide, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.