Workers from outside Canada who wish to work in Canada on a temporary basis are usually required to obtain a work permit. As well as creating jobs and providing economic growth for Canadians, foreign workers admitted to Canada contribute to job creation. Generally speaking, foreign skilled workers are required to have an offer of employment from a employer in Canada before being able to work temporarily in Canada.

To ensure that foreign workers do not negatively affect employment opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, immigration authorities in Canada work with the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure that Canadians have first priority at available jobs. As a result, most foreign workers in Canada must have an LMIA and work permit.

Work permits can be divided into two types :

Open Work Permit- Open Work Permits are available to individuals if the following circumstances apply :

Employer Specific Work Permit- It is common for you to require a Labour Market Impact Assessment before working for a specific employer. If the LMIA is positive, it will demonstrate that the business needs a foreign worker. Furthermore, the report would show there are no Canadians or permanent residents qualified to take on the job.