Employer-specific work permits
These name the employer, occupation and location. Most require a positive LMIA. Many are exempt under the International Mobility Program, including:
- intra-company transferees;
- professionals, traders and investors under trade agreements such as CUSMA, CETA and CPTPP;
- entrepreneurs and others whose work brings a significant benefit to Canada (C10 and C11);
- francophone mobility for French-speaking workers outside Quebec; and
- International Experience Canada young professionals and co-op participants.
Open work permits
Open work permits let you work for almost any employer, but only certain groups qualify:
- graduates eligible for a post-graduation work permit;
- spouses and partners being sponsored from inside Canada;
- some spouses of skilled workers and students, under narrower rules introduced in 2025;
- permanent residence applicants waiting on certain economic applications (bridging open work permits);
- refugee claimants with eligible, complete claims, and protected persons;
- workers experiencing abuse on an employer-specific permit (vulnerable worker permits); and
- International Experience Canada working holiday participants.
Spouses of workers and students
Since January 2025, spouses of foreign workers qualify for open work permits only where the worker is in a high-skill occupation (TEER 0 or 1) or certain listed occupations, with enough time left on their permit. Spouses of students qualify only for certain graduate and professional programs. Further adjustments followed in 2026. We confirm eligibility before you apply.
Keeping your status
- Maintained status: if you apply to extend or change your permit before it expires, you can keep working under the same conditions while IRCC decides, as long as you stay in Canada.
- Restoration: if your status expired, you may be able to apply for restoration within 90 days, but you cannot work until restored.
- Changing jobs: on an employer-specific permit, you generally need a new permit before starting with a new employer.
How ATWORLD IMMIGRATION helps
We identify the fastest lawful route for each worker and employer. We prepare permit applications, extensions and restorations, and respond to refusals, including by reconsideration requests and new applications.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and IRB procedure change often; we confirm the current rules for your file at your consultation.