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What visa do I need to work in Canada and what types of work permits exist?

To enter Canada, whether you are coming as a student or a worker, you just need a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa). Once you are in Canada, you are given a work permit if you are in Canada as a worker. And, in Canada, work permits are mainly divided into a few major types depending on whether you need a job offer, an employer, or special eligibility.

Here are the main categories:


1. Employer-Specific Work Permit (Closed Work Permit)

This is the most common type.

  • You can only work for a specific employer
  • Usually requires a job offer
  • Often needs an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) from the employer

Examples:

  • Temporary foreign worker jobs (construction, caregiving, etc.)
  • LMIA-based skilled jobs

👉 If you want to change employer, you usually need a new permit.


2. Open Work Permit

This is more flexible.

  • You can work for almost any employer in Canada
  • No job offer needed in advance (in most cases)
  • No LMIA required

Common examples:

  • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
  • Spousal open work permits (for international students or skilled workers’ spouses)
  • Bridging Open Work Permit (for PR applicants)
  • Some special humanitarian or public policy cases

3. International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permits

For youth from partner countries.

  • Usually for people aged 18–35 (varies by country)
  • No LMIA required
  • Includes:

Categories:

  • Working Holiday (open work permit)
  • Young Professionals (employer-specific)
  • International Co-op (Internship)

4. LMIA-Exempt Employer-Specific Work Permits

These are closed permits but don’t need LMIA.

Examples include:

  • Intra-company transfers (working for the same company in Canada)
  • Trade agreements (like CUSMA/NAFTA professionals)
  • Significant benefit or special public policy cases

5. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

For international students in Canada.

  • Open work permit
  • Length depends on study program (up to 3 years)
  • One of the most important pathways to PR

6. Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

For people already applying for Permanent Residency.

  • Lets you keep working while waiting for PR decision

Quick Summary:

  • Closed Work Permit = tied to one employer
  • Open Work Permit = freedom to work anywhere
  • IEC = youth mobility programs
  • Special categories = LMIA-exempt cases
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