How Do I Obtain a Work Permit in Canada Without a Job Offer?

Understanding Canada’s Work Permit Requirements

Eligibility Requirements for All Applicants

• Prove that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires
• Show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home
• Obey the law and have no record of criminal activity
• Not be a danger to Canada’s security
• Be in good health and have a medical exam if needed
• Not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions
• Not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages
• Give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country

Eligibility Requirements if You Apply from Outside Canada

• Anyone can apply before they enter Canada
• Visa office requirements may apply depending on what country or territory you’re applying from

Eligibility Requirements if You Apply from Inside Canada

• You can only apply if you have a valid:
  • Study or work permit
  • Spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study or work permit
  • Post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid
  • Temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more
  • Waiting on a decision on an application for permanent residence from inside Canada
  • Made a claim for refugee protection
  • Been recognized as a convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
  • Allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but need a work permit to work in a different job (this does not apply to business visitors)
  • Trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

Eligibility Requirements if You Apply When You Enter Canada at a Port of Entry

• You should apply for your work permit before you travel to Canada
• You can apply for a work permit when you enter Canada if you’re eligible
• To apply at a port of entry (POE), you must meet all of the following:
  • Be from a visa-exempt country
  • Be eligible for an electronic travel authorization or to travel without a visitor visa
  • Meet other requirements depending on the type of work permit you’re applying for

Options for Obtaining a Work Permit Without a Job Offer

A. Open Work Permit

• What is an Open Work Permit?: A work permit that is not job-specific, allowing you to work for any employer in Canada.
• Eligibility:
  • Spouses or common-law partners of skilled workers or international students
  • International students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution
  • Temporary residents who are already in Canada and want to apply for a work permit
• Benefits:
  • Allows you to work for any employer in Canada
  • Does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
  • Can be applied for from inside or outside Canada

B. International Mobility Program

• What is the International Mobility Program?: A program that allows foreign workers to work in Canada without an LMIA.
• Eligibility:
  • Workers who are part of an international agreement (e.g. NAFTA, GATS)
  • Intra-company transferees
  • Workers who are part of a reciprocal agreement (e.g. youth exchange programs)
• Benefits:
  • Does not require an LMIA
  • Faster processing times
  • Allows employers to hire foreign workers without going through the LMIA process

C. Intra-Company Transfers

• What are Intra-Company Transfers?: Transfers of employees within a company to a branch in Canada.
• Eligibility:
  • Employees of a foreign company with a branch in Canada
  • Must have worked for the company for at least 1 year in the past 3 years
• Benefits:
  • Allows employees to work in Canada without an LMIA
  • Faster processing times
  • Allows companies to transfer employees to Canada without going through the LMIA process

D. Entrepreneur Work Permit

• What is an Entrepreneur Work Permit?: A work permit for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Canada.
• Eligibility:
  • Must have a viable business idea
  • Must have a strong business plan
  • Must have sufficient funds to support themselves and their business
• Benefits:
  • Allows entrepreneurs to start a business in Canada
  • Does not require an LMIA
  • Can lead to permanent residency through the Start-Up Visa Program

Alternative Paths to Obtaining a Work Permit

A. Volunteer Work

• What is Volunteer Work?: Unpaid work for a non-profit organization or charity.
• Eligibility:
  • Must be a foreign national
  • Must have a valid job offer from a non-profit organization or charity
• Benefits:
  • Gains Canadian work experience
  • Builds professional network
  • Can lead to a job offer

B. Internships

• What are Internships?: Temporary work experience in a specific field or industry.
• Eligibility:
  • Must be a foreign national
  • Must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
• Benefits:
  • Gains Canadian work experience
  • Builds professional network
  • Can lead to a job offer

C. Entrepreneurship

• What is Entrepreneurship?: Starting a business in Canada.
• Eligibility:
  • Must have a viable business idea
  • Must have a strong business plan
  • Must have sufficient funds to support themselves and their business
• Benefits:
  • Creates a job for themselves and others
  • Contributes to the Canadian economy
  • Can lead to permanent residency through the Start-Up Visa Program

D. Student Work Permits

• What are Student Work Permits?: Work permits for international students studying in Canada.
• Eligibility:
  • Must be an international student studying in Canada
  • Must have a valid study permit
• Benefits:
  • Gains Canadian work experience
  • Earns money to support studies
  • Can lead to a job offer after graduation