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If you want to come to Canada as a temporary foreign worker, you need to apply for a work permit. You can also apply for a work permit if you are already in Canada as a student or visitor.
There are 2 types of work permits:
- open work permits, which allow you to work for any employer in Canada (with a few exceptions), and
- employer-specific work permits, which allow you to work for a specific employer for a limited period of time,
If you are applying to work for a specific employer, your employer must provide you either a copy of a Labour Market Impact Assessment or an offer of employment number.
Use this tool on the Government of Canada website to see if you qualify for a work permit and what kind of work permit you need.
Note: having a work permit does not make you a permanent resident of Canada. If you want to become a permanent resident, consider applying as a skilled worker through the Express Entry system. There are also special programs for caregivers and business people.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) is a special type of work permit for foreign nationals who have studied in Canada and received a certification from a designated school. With a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you can remain in Canada, gain work experience, and eventually apply for permanent residency.
To qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must meet these criteria:
- you must have completed an education program in Canada lasting at least 8 months,
- you must have been a full-time student the entire time you were in school
- you must currently have a study permit or had a study permit within 180 days of the date of applying
COVID-19: temporary changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
Currently, if you are enrolled in a PGWPP-eligible program, you are allowed to complete up to 100% of your program from outside Canada if:
- your program was in progress in March 2020, or
- you began or will begin your program between spring 2020 and fall 2121.
Time spent in online studies from outside of Canada can be counted toward the duration requirements of the PGWPP until the end of December 2021.
COVID-19: temporary changes affecting former or current PGWP-holders
On January 27, 2021, the Government of Canada created a policy to offer more open work permits to people who have a PGWP or used to have a PGWP.
Under this policy, you can get an open work permit for up to 18 months, or until your passport is no longer valid to stay in Canada.
If you want to get an open work permit under this new policy, you must apply by July 27, 2021.