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Employer-Specific Work Permit

This is a work permit that allows you to work in Canada for a specific employer in a certain position

On this page you will find information about:

Getting an employer-specific work permit

We help with matching employers with employees. You can contact us to find the right match for you. No matter whether you found your employment on your own or with our help, we can assist you and your employer with the required paperwork, including the preparation and filing of your work permit application.

You may already have a verbal agreement with your potential future employer, so now it’s time for your employer to start their paperwork first. Among other requirements, the employer must prove that they cannot find a Canadian worker to do the job they want to hire you for. Once the required paperwork is done and approved for your prospective employer, you need to start your work permit application process, and if need be, also visas for your family members.

Your Eligibility

If you haven’t already found an employer in Canada looking to hire you, here are the steps to follow:

  • First Step: You need to find an employer before you can apply for an employer-specific work permit

    We have good connections in different industries, and we will do our best to match you with a company which needs your skills. We can help you understand how the Canadian hiring process works, so you can show off your professional experience and education to potential employers in Canada and land your dream job.

    It is important that we get to know you to identify your transferable skills. Transferable skills are the skills that you have developed through your previous work experience, such as unique or specialized skills, knowledge of English and/or French, education, or volunteering, that can be applied to different jobs or industries in Canada. Let us open opportunities for you that you might have not even thought of!icon-buildings.png

  • Second Step: Your employer has to show that they cannot find Canadian workers for the job offered to you

    If you've found a Canadian employer who wants to hire you, that's great! But, there's an important step they need to take before they can officially hire you. They must apply for and receive approval of a Labour Market Impact Assessment LMIA application.

    In most situations, employers in Canada must obtain a positive LMIA before they can hire a foreign worker for a job. The purpose of the LMIA is to ensure that Canadian citizens and permanent residents have first access to available job opportunities and that hiring a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian job market. Once the prospective employer receives the LMIA approval for the position offered, you can apply for a work permit through Canada Immigration.

    Our licensed immigration practitioners can help the employer with every step of their LMIA application with Service Canada.icon-clamshell.png
  • Third Step: We will check if you are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit

    You must qualify for the job offered to you and meet specific criteria like English language skills, education, and experience, based on the position you are hoping to obtain in Canada. Our team can then help you with your work permit application with Canada Immigration.icon-gears.png

Our Services in a Nutshell

Here is what we and our licensed immigration practitioners will do for you:

We offer recruitment services for foreign workers from all over the world and match them with employers from our network

We will help your employer during the recruitment process in Ontario

Our licensed immigration practitioners will work closely with your employer to help them apply for the LMIA

We will help you apply for a work permit with Canada Immigration once the LMIA is approved. You will receive a detailed list of documents and information that you need for your work permit application

Our team will assist with creating a statement for your work permit application that explains why you are needed in Canada, your connections to your home country, and your financial situation

Our licensed immigration practitioners will then submit your work permit application online on your behalf

Once your work permit is approved, you will receive detailed information and instructions on what documents you need to have when you arrive at the Canadian border

Our team can also assist with your family's visa applications if they decide to accompany you while you complete your work assignment in Canada

We treat your case as if you were a family member

We know that pursuing your dreams of working and living in Canada can be an exciting but also an overwhelming journey. We understand the emotional toll and stress that this process can bring. We take the time to listen, guide, and explain the process in a way that is easy to understand. You can ask us whatever keeps you up at night.
Contact us for a one-hour free consultation

Additional Services

Are you trying to change or extend your stay in Canada?
  • We can help you if you need to restore your or your family members’ status in Canada
  • We can assist you with getting a new temporary visa or extending your current status
  • We can help with your change of status application
  • We can also check if you are eligible for permanent residency in Canada
Are you seeking immigration options for your family members while you are working in Canada?
  • If your or your family members’ visa applications were previously refused, we can request the visa officer's notes and potentially assist with reapplying

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my future employer is allowed to hire me?

To hire you as a foreign worker in Canada, your employer needs to meet certain requirements. Our licensed immigration practitioners will check if your employer is eligible and if the job you're offered also meets the necessary criteria.

I have a job offer, can I apply for a Work Permit?

The employer must apply for the Labour Market Impact Assessment LMIA first, only then you can apply for your employer-specific work permit. As part of the LMIA process, the employer must first advertise the job in various sources to prove that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to fill the position. The recruitment process varies depending on the type of job and the location of the position. Once the employer has completed the recruitment process and can show that no qualified Canadian candidates are available for the job, they can proceed to apply for the LMIA listing the position offered to you. If the LMIA is approved, you can then apply for a work permit. 

What is the processing time of the work permit applicatiotn with Immigration Canada?

Processing time varies depending on which country you are applying from. Our team looks at the processing time applicable to you when we discuss your case.

Contact us for a one-hour free consultation

Don't know where to start?
No worries, we’ll guide you.

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LMIA is a document issued by the Canadian government to assess the impact that hiring a foreign worker would have on the Canadian labor market.
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