Overview
“Work permit” is not one product. IRCC’s two big buckets—employer-specific and open—change how freely you can change jobs, what your employer must do, and which documents you need.
Common situations
Canadian employer with a job offer
Usually an employer-specific permit. Many cases need a positive LMIA unless a listed exemption applies.
Spouse of a student or worker
May qualify for certain open categories if IRCC’s current criteria are met. Rules change—confirm the live page for your spouse’s status and program level.
Recent graduate (PGWP)
A PGWP is an open work permit with study-history eligibility rules, not a generic open permit for anyone.
Changing jobs later
Closed-permit holders usually need a new pathway before starting elsewhere. Open-permit holders generally have more flexibility within conditions.
Side-by-side comparison
| Topic | Employer-specific (closed) | Open work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Who you can work for | Named employer on the permit | Almost any employer (with IRCC exclusions) |
| Typical trigger | Job offer / employer support | IRCC-listed open categories |
| LMIA | Often required unless exempt | Generally not LMIA-based |
| Job change | Often needs new authorization | Usually freer, still obey conditions |
| Employer compliance steps | Often significant (portal, fees, LMIA) | Employer usually not “sponsoring” the permit |
| Examples (illustrative) | Many TFWP/IMP closed permits | PGWP; some spousal open permits |
Always match your case to the official stream—not to informal names.
Job offers and family categories map to different IRCC streams. Tamara can help you avoid filing the wrong permit type.
Which detailed guide should you read next?
- Mapping overall requirements → Work Permit Requirements
- LMIA vs exemption → LMIA vs LMIA-Exempt Work Permit
- Graduates comparing PGWP and closed offers → PGWP vs Employer-Specific Work Permit
- Spouse pathways → Spousal Open Work Permit for Students and for Workers
Decision steps
- Do you fit an IRCC open category today? If yes, start there.
- If not, do you have a job offer that can support an employer-specific permit?
- For closed permits, ask whether the role needs an LMIA or an LMIA exemption.
- Check medical exams, biometrics, and fees for that exact stream.
- Do not start work until you are authorized under the correct conditions.
Common mistakes
- Assuming marriage or a job search creates an open permit
- Working for a second employer on a closed permit
- Ignoring LMIA timing when the closed offer depends on it
- Treating PGWP and closed permits as interchangeable for PR planning without checking NOC and continuity of work
Related guides
- Work Permit Requirements
- LMIA vs LMIA-Exempt Work Permit
- PGWP vs Employer-Specific Work Permit
- Open Work Permit Canada
This guide summarizes official IRCC and ESDC sources listed above. Requirements change. Confirm current rules on Canada.ca before you apply.
Before you apply
- Identified whether you have an IRCC open-permit category
- If job offer: confirmed closed permit + LMIA or exemption
- Read conditions that would appear on the permit
- Checked medicals, biometrics, and fees for your stream
- Confirmed you will not work before authorization
- Reviewed IRCC open and employer-specific pages
Frequently asked questions
- Can I choose an open permit just because I want flexibility?
- No. You must fit an IRCC open work permit category. Wanting flexibility is not enough.
- Is a PGWP an open work permit?
- Yes. A post-graduation work permit is a type of open work permit for eligible graduates, with its own eligibility rules.
- Do employer-specific permits always need an LMIA?
- Many do, but some International Mobility Program streams are LMIA-exempt. The exemption must match your facts.
- Can I change employers on a closed permit?
- Usually you need new authorization before starting the new job. Working outside permit conditions risks non-compliance.
- Can visitors work while waiting for either permit?
- Generally no. Do not assume bridging rights without checking IRCC for your status.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. This guide summarizes official IRCC guidance. Outcomes depend on your full facts and officer assessment.
See also
References
- Employer-specific work permits
- Open work permits
- Get a work permit
- Hire a temporary foreign worker (LMIA overview)
Note: This guide is general information, not legal advice. Outcomes depend on your facts and IRCC’s assessment. Confirm current rules on Canada.ca before you apply.