To work in Canada you need a work permit. For most jobs without a degree, the permit is tied to one employer. This guide explains how it works in simple words, which papers you need and what your rights are.
The two papers that matter
| LMIA | A paper your employer gets from the government. It shows no worker in Canada was found for the job. The employer applies and pays. |
|---|---|
| Work permit | Your own permit. You apply for it yourself on Canada.ca after you have the job offer and the LMIA number. |
There is no work permit under this program without a positive LMIA. If someone offers you a “work permit” with no employer and no LMIA, it is not real.
Documents you will usually need
- A valid passport.
- The job offer letter and the signed contract.
- The LMIA number from your employer.
- Proof that you can do the job: letters from past employers, training papers or licences.
- Fingerprints and a photo, given at a visa centre.
- For some jobs or countries, a medical exam or a police paper.
The official website tells you the exact list for your country. Use only Canada.ca to apply and to pay.
How long is the permit?
It depends on the job and the pay. Since November 2026, a permit for a lower-paid job can be given for up to two years. Before, it was one year. Higher-paid jobs can get up to three years. The end date is written on your permit.
What the permit lets you do
- You can work only for the employer named on your permit.
- If you want to change employer, the new employer needs an LMIA and you need a new permit first.
- For most jobs without a degree, your husband or wife does not get a work permit through your permit. They must qualify on their own.
Why it can take time
Canada limits the number of foreign workers. The target for this program is 60,000 new workers in 2026. Most employers can fill only about 10% of their lower-paid jobs with foreign workers. In some big cities with high unemployment, the government does not accept requests for lower-paid foreign workers at all. So many offers come from smaller towns. Start early, keep copies of every paper and answer every message from the employer and the visa office quickly.
How to apply safely
- Go to Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca). It is the Canadian government’s free job website.
- Search for the job, then use the filter for employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers.
- Prepare a short CV in English or French: your name, phone, email, past jobs with dates, and your skills.
- Apply the way the job post says. Send the same clear CV each time.
- If an employer answers, ask for a written job offer and the LMIA number. Check both before you pay for any travel.
Common reasons a visa is refused
- The job offer is not real, or the employer did not do their part of the process.
- Papers are missing, or the dates and names in your papers do not match.
- You cannot show the experience or training that the job asks for.
- False papers. One false paper can block you for years, so never use them.
If your visa is refused, read the reason in the letter. Often you can apply again when the problem is fixed.
Before you travel: a short checklist
- Your visa or entry paper is in your hands and the name matches your passport.
- You have the signed contract and the employer’s address and phone number.
- You know who meets you on arrival and where you will sleep the first night.
- You have enough money for your first weeks, until the first pay arrives.
- Your family has copies of all your papers.
Your rights as a worker in Canada
- You must be paid at least the wage in your contract, and never less than the minimum wage.
- Your employer cannot take your passport or your work permit.
- Your employer cannot make you pay back the LMIA or recruitment costs.
- You have the right to a safe workplace and to say no to unsafe work.
- If an employer abuses you, Canada has a special open work permit for workers in that situation, so you can leave that employer.
Costs to plan for
Rent is the biggest cost in Canada. A room in a shared home costs much more in Toronto or Vancouver than in a small town. For lower-paid jobs under the foreign worker program, the employer is expected to pay your travel to Canada and back, and to help you find housing you can afford. Ask about both in writing. You also need warm clothes, because winters are very cold in most of the country. Bring enough money for your first weeks, until your first pay arrives.
Protect yourself from fake job offers
- Never pay for a job. In Canada, employers are not allowed to charge workers recruitment fees under the foreign worker program.
- Be careful with offers that arrive on WhatsApp or Telegram, or from a free email address.
- A real employer does not ask for money for a “visa file”, “medical booking” or “work permit processing”.
- If someone helps you with immigration papers for money, check that they are licensed. Consultants must be listed on the public register of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
Questions people ask
Can I go to Canada first and look for work there?
Not on a visitor visa. You cannot work as a visitor. The safe way is to get the job offer and the work permit before you travel.
How long does it take?
It is different for each person and each country. The employer first needs the LMIA, then you apply for the permit. Plan for several months.
More guides for Canada
- Factory jobs in Canada
- Driver jobs in Canada
- Hotel and cleaning jobs in Canada
- Construction jobs in Canada
- All jobs in Canada for foreign workers
- How to apply for jobs in Canada
Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and pay change, so always confirm on the official websites before you decide. We are not a recruiter and we never ask for money.