Temporary Workers

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Temporary Workers

Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada

There are two types of work permits:

Employer-specific work permit

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as

the name of the specific employer you can work for
how long you can work
the location where you can work (if applicable) Before you apply for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must give you
a copy of your employment contract
1 of the following:
- a copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
- an offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt workers)
To get this number, your employer must use the

If your employer doesn’t need to use the Employer Portal Employer Portal

If your employer does not need to use the Employer Portal to submit an offer of employment, they must give you a copy of the employment contract

Open work permit

An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada, except for one that

is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages

You can only get an open work permit in specific situations

If you want to bring your family with you, your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be able to work, study or live with you while you work in Canada.

Bringing your family with you

If you’re applying for a work permit and your family members want to come to Canada, they must also apply to visit or work or study in Canada. They can apply at the same time as you.

Options for your spouse or common-law partner

If they plan to work in Canada

In some cases, your spouse or common-law partner may be able to apply for an open work permit that will let them work for any employer.

If they’re not eligible for an open work permit as your spouse or common-law partner, they must be eligible for another type of work permit. This could include their employer getting a labour market impact assessment.

If they don’t plan to work in Canada

If your spouse or common-law partner doesn’t plan to work, they may apply to come to Canada with you as either a

Options for your dependent children

Your dependent children may also apply to come with you to Canada as either a:

If you’re eligible for the Global Skills Strategy, your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children are also eligible for 2-week processing on their applications