We assist foreign workers at all skill levels seeking employment in Canada. This includes temporary foreign worker applications, skilled worker permits under various programs, and extensions for your current permit as it nears expiration.

If you are a professional with a specialized job offer, a tradesperson, or a recent graduate looking to stay and work, we can help you identify the right work permit category and prepare a strong application.

Hiring foreign workers comes with compliance requirements that can trip up even careful employers. We assist Canadian businesses with Labour Market Impact Assessment applications, ensuring job offers and wages meet government standards. Beyond the initial hiring, we advise on record keeping, workplace conditions, and how to prepare for potential audits or inspections.

If you are already in Canada with a valid work permit, you may be able to apply to extend it before it expires. When you do so, you can continue working under what is called implied status while you do. However, if you are applying for a new type of permit or you are outside Canada, different rules apply.

We explain exactly what you can and cannot do while waiting, so you do not accidentally fall out of status while you pursue a work permit extension or renewal.

When an application is refused, we review the refusal letter that Immigration Canada sent you to understand exactly what went wrong. Depending on your situation, we may recommend an appeal, a judicial review, or a fresh application that addresses the concerns raised by the officer.

Our immigration lawyers can assist clients in understanding the reasons for their work permit denial and advise on possible options to overcome these challenges.

We work with the following types of work permit visa applications, and more:

• Employer-Specific Work Permit (Closed Work Permit)
• Open Work Permit (OWP)
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
• Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
• International Mobility Program (IMP) Work Permit
• Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Work Permit
• Co-op or Internship Work Permit
• Spousal Open Work Permit
• International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permit
• Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit
• Global Talent Stream Work Permit
• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) Work Permit
• Caregiver Work Permit
• Francophone Mobility Work Permit
• CUSMA/NAFTA Professional Work Permit

Canadian work permits generally fall into two main categories: closed work permits and open work permits.

A closed work permit, also known as an employer-specific work permit, allows a foreign worker to work only for the employer listed on the permit. The permit typically specifies the employer’s name, job position, and work location. If the worker wishes to change employers, they generally need to apply for a new work permit.

On the other hand, an open work permit is not tied to a specific employer. It allows the holder to work for most employers in Canada without needing a new permit when changing jobs, and it usually does not require an LMIA.

Open work permits are available only to certain groups of applicants, such as spouses or partners of eligible workers or international students, recent graduates eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, certain permanent residence applicants, working holiday makers, and, in some cases, refugee claimants who have been authorized to work while their status is being processed. This type of permit offers greater flexibility, but eligibility is limited to specific categories.

Get in touch with us today, and we will help you decide the right option for your unique circumstances.

The Canadian Experience Class is a permanent residence pathway designed for individuals who have already gained skilled work experience in Canada. This program allows temporary foreign workers and international graduates to transition to permanent residence based on the experience they have built while living and working in the country.

We assist applicants in determining whether their Canadian work experience meets the program requirements and help ensure their employment history is properly documented. Maintaining a valid status, accumulating eligible skilled work experience, and preparing accurate records are all critical factors for a successful application.

We can help you plan your route to permanent residency from the beginning, ensuring that the work permits, job roles, and experience you pursue today support your long-term immigration goals. Start planning your pathway to permanent residence today with the right strategy from the outset.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be considered legal or other professional advice. To obtain detailed information regarding your specific circumstances, please consult with a lawyer or other professional. Refer to our Legal Notice  for more details.