Canada offers dozens of work permit pathways, each with different eligibility, employer requirements, and durations. Choosing the wrong stream — or filing under the wrong category — is one of the most expensive mistakes applicants make. Our RCIC team analyzes your situation, identifies the correct stream, and prepares a compliant, complete work permit application.
All Canadian work permits fall into one of two broad categories: closed (employer-specific) or open. Within each, there are multiple sub-streams — and which stream you qualify for depends on your status, your employer, and the nature of the work.
A closed work permit ties you to a specific Canadian employer, job, and (usually) location. To get one, your employer typically needs an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — though some closed permits are LMIA-exempt under IRPA international agreements.
An open work permit lets you work for nearly any Canadian employer, in nearly any role. Open permits are reserved for specific situations: post-graduation, spouses of skilled workers/students, bridging applicants, and a few humanitarian categories.
Below is a complete view of the work permit streams our team handles. Each links to a dedicated page with eligibility, documents, and process details.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment is the path most employers take to hire a foreign worker. Our team handles the LMIA application on the employer side and the resulting work permit on the worker side. View LMIA details →
For graduates of eligible Canadian post-secondary programs. Lasts up to 3 years and is the foundation of most international students' pathway to PR. View PGWP details →
For spouses of skilled foreign workers and certain international students. Allows the spouse to work for any Canadian employer while their partner is in Canada. View Spousal WP details →
For permanent residence applicants whose work permit is about to expire while their PR application is in process. Bridges the gap so you can keep working. View Bridging WP details →
Includes CUSMA professionals, intra-company transferees, French Mobility, and others. Allows employers to hire foreign workers without an LMIA, under reciprocal trade and immigration agreements.
A 2-week processing service for high-skilled tech and STEM occupations, designed to help Canadian employers compete globally for top talent.
Our RCIC team analyzes worker and employer profiles to identify the right work permit stream — and prepares an application that holds up to IRCC scrutiny.
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