A Canadian work permit is either tied to a single employer or open to work for almost any employer β and that distinction determines which documents are required, how long processing takes, and how the permit connects to a future permanent residence application.
The right service is more than a checklist. It is a sequence that turns your facts into a coherent, review-ready pathway.
Diagnose
Start with the facts, goals, history and deadlines that shape the route.
Build
Organize evidence, explanations and forms around the decision-makerβs concern.
Protect
Keep ownership, communication and the next deadline visible from start to finish.
A visual route guide
See the pathway in context
Every file has a human story behind it. These moments reflect the preparation, decisions and new beginnings that shape this service.
01Opportunity
The right route can connect your experience with meaningful opportunity.
02Expertise
Bring your skills forward with a plan shaped around your real profile.
03One team
Good outcomes are built when every contributor is working from the same plan.
04The file
A focused review brings the important facts into a clearer sequence.
05Preparation
Strong preparation turns uncertainty into a clear next move.
06Momentum
Once the route is clear, the next decisions become easier to make.
07Canada-wide
Your future can take shape in the community that fits you best.
08Move forward
A practical plan helps you keep moving when the process feels complex.
What this service covers
Read the detail, then choose the next step
Use the guide below to understand the route before you book. Your existing page content remains the source of truth; this surface gives it the same visual hierarchy as the reference homepage.
Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.
02
What an LMIA Actually Checks
Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.
03
Frequently Asked Questions
Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.
04
Related Pages
Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.
Your service guide
The details that move the file forward
Review the complete guide below, then use the consultation path when your situation needs a tailored strategy.
A Canadian work permit is either tied to a single employer or open to work for almost any employer β and that distinction determines which documents are required, how long processing takes, and how the permit connects to a future permanent residence application.
Key figures at a glance
Source sequence preserved
2Broad permit categories
$1,000Typical LMIA fee per position
2β4mo Standard LMIA processing
6yrs Employer record-keeping duty
Work Permit Types
Technical reference
Technical reference
Eligibility and pathway detail
Official data
Type
Tied to employer?
LMIA required?
Typical use case
Employer-specific (LMIA-backed)
Yes
Yes
New hire from abroad in most occupations
Employer-specific (LMIA-exempt)
Yes
No
Intra-company transfer, CUSMA professional, certain IMP categories
Open work permit
No
No
Spousal open permit, PGWP, some bridging permits
Presented in the supplied source sequenceReviewed 2026
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Shape the responseComplex files become easier to protect when the concern, evidence and deadline are visible together.
What an LMIA Actually Checks
Application timeline
Application timeline
Sequence and requirements
Official data
Requirement
What's assessed
Recruitment effort
Job Bank advertising and documented Canadian recruitment before hiring abroad
Wage
Offered wage at or above the provincial median for the occupation
Working conditions
Consistency with provincial employment standards
Genuine need
A demonstrated, ongoing labour shortage
Compliance history
No unresolved employer violations on file with ESDC
Presented in the supplied source sequenceReviewed 2026
Swipe horizontally to explore all columns
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every foreign worker need an LMIA?+
No. Intra-company transfers, CUSMA professionals, and certain International Mobility Program categories are LMIA-exempt β eligibility depends on the specific exemption, not employer preference.
Can I switch employers on an employer-specific permit?+
Not without applying for a new permit tied to the new employer, or qualifying for an open permit. Working for a different employer on an unchanged employer-specific permit is a status violation.
Can a work permit lead to permanent residence?+
Often yes β 12 months of skilled Canadian work experience typically qualifies a candidate for the Canadian Experience Class, and some provincial streams are built specifically around employer-sponsored temporary workers.
Build the workforceEmployer and work-permit files should connect the real vacancy, duties, wage and worker evidence.