Bright living room with modern inventory
Bright living room with modern inventory

Work Visa

How do I get a work visa for Canada?

Work permits and applications for temporary workers, caregivers, business people and students

Depending upon the foreign worker's country of citizenship, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) may also need to be obtained in order to enter Canada.

Determine your eligibility​

Whether or not you’re eligible for a work permit depends on a few things, including where you plan to apply for your work permit.


No matter where you apply, you must:


  • Prove to an officer 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 (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate)

  • 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.

Types of Work Permits ​

​Open Work Permit

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:

  • Who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or

  • Who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.


You can only get an open work permit in specific situations. Contact us to find out if you can apply for an open work permit.

Employer-specific work permits

An employer-specific work permit allows you to work according to the conditions on your work permit, which include:

  • The name of the employer you can work for

  • How long you can work, and

  • The location where you can work (if applicable).