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, and
• give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

Global Skills Strategy applicants: You can only benefit from two-week application processing if you apply from outside of Canada.

Stages Guide

• Stage 1: Employer applies for Labour Market Impact Assessment
• Stage 2: Employer extends Temporary Job Offer
• Stage 3: Foreign Worker applies for Work Permit
• Stage 4: Work Permit is issued

“If you are currently working in Canada and you have applied for permanent residence, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit if your work permit will expire in four months or less. This means you can keep working while we make a decision on your permanent resident application. To qualify, you must have applied under the:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program,
• Canadian Experience Class,
• Federal Skilled Trades Program,
• Provincial Nominee Program,
• Caring for Children Class, or
• Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class.

You must also:

• currently be in Canada,
• have valid status on a work permit that is due to expire within four months,
• select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit when you complete your work permit application, and
• pay the work permit processing fee and the Open Work Permit Holder fee.