A work permit is mandatory for most foreign nationals to work in Canada. An employer-specific work permit allows you to work for a specific employer, while an open work permit allows you to work for any listed eligible employer in Canada. You can apply for a work permit from outside Canada as well as from within Canada, and the eligibility requirements vary as per each of the situations. If applying from outside Canada, you will be issued a port of entry letter of introduction, and upon verification of this letter, your work permit will be issued at the port of entry on the day you arrive in Canada.

The spousal open work permit for skilled workers category is exempt from LMIA assessment under code C41, while the validity of the open work permit for spouses of foreign students usually coincides with the spouse’s study permit.