By For most newcomers, the right to work legally in Canada is the single most important document you carry — more important, in day-to-day life, than the visa stamp that got you across the border. Without a valid work permit (or a status that allows open work), you cannot legally accept a job, and working illegally can lead to removal and a re-entry ban. The good news: the system is more navigable than it looks once you understand which of the two main permit families applies to you.
This guide explains the types of Canadian work permits, what each one costs in 2026, how long they take, and the exact steps to apply.
Quick Answer: What Is a Canada Work Permit and What Does It Cost?
A Canadian work permit is a temporary document from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that lets a foreign national work in Canada. There are two main types: an employer-specific (closed) permit tied to one employer, and an open permit that lets you work for almost any employer. The processing fee is CAD $155 per person for either type. Open permits add a CAD $100 open work permit holder fee. Biometrics cost $85 per person ($170 maximum per family).
If your job requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), your employer pays a separate $1,000 fee per position to Employment and Social Development Canada — and it is illegal for them to pass that cost on to you.
Summary: Two permit families (open vs employer-specific), one core $155 processing fee, plus an extra $100 if your permit is open. Biometrics ($85/person) almost always apply. The big LMIA fee is the employer's problem, not yours.
The Two Main Types of Work Permit
Employer-Specific (Closed) Work Permits
A closed permit ties you to a single named employer, a specific job and often a specific location. You cannot switch employers without applying for a new permit.
Most closed permits require your employer to first obtain a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada. An LMIA is the government's confirmation that hiring you won't displace a Canadian worker. To get one, the employer normally has to advertise the position and show they couldn't find a suitable citizen or permanent resident. The employer pays a $1,000 LMIA processing fee per position requested, and that fee is non-refundable even if the assessment comes back negative.
Some closed permits are LMIA-exempt — for example, intra-company transferees, and professionals covered by trade agreements such as CUSMA (the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement), CETA or the CPTPP. In LMIA-exempt cases there's no $1,000 fee, but the employer must submit an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pay a $230 employer compliance fee.
Open Work Permits
An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada, with no LMIA and no job offer required. You are not allowed to work for an employer on IRCC's ineligible (non-compliant) list, or for businesses offering certain adult-entertainment services.
Open permits are only granted in specific situations. Common categories for newcomers include:
- Spouses and common-law partners of certain skilled workers and of many international students
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders — graduates of eligible Canadian programs
- International Experience Canada (IEC) participants — the Working Holiday stream and similar youth-mobility programs
- Some economic-class permanent residence applicants under bridging open work permit policies
Summary: Closed = one employer, usually needs an LMIA, less flexible. Open = work almost anywhere, only available in defined situations. If you have a choice, an open permit is far more flexible.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
If you studied in Canada at an eligible institution, the PGWP is the bridge between graduation and permanent residence. It's an open permit, valid anywhere from 8 months up to 3 years, with the length generally matching your study program. Master's degree graduates can apply for a 3-year PGWP even if the program was under two years. Note that the permit is only issued up to your passport's expiry date, so renew your passport first if it's close.
PGWP eligibility rules tightened in 2024-2025, including field-of-study requirements for some college programs, so confirm your program still qualifies before you rely on it.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
IEC gives young people from partner countries the chance to work in Canada, most popularly through the Working Holiday open work permit. Eligibility, age limits and quotas depend on your country of citizenship and the annual agreement Canada has with it. You enter a pool, wait for an invitation, then apply.
2026 Work Permit Fees at a Glance
| Fee | Amount (CAD) | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit processing (per person) | $155 | Applicant |
| Open work permit holder fee | $100 | Applicant (open permits only) |
| Biometrics — per person | $85 | Applicant |
| Biometrics — per family (maximum) | $170 | Applicant |
| LMIA processing (per position) | $1,000 | Employer |
| Employer compliance fee (LMIA-exempt) | $230 | Employer |
So a typical open work permit costs an individual $340 ($155 + $100 + $85 biometrics). A typical employer-specific permit costs $240 ($155 + $85), with the LMIA cost falling on the employer. Always check the official IRCC fee list before you pay, as fees change.
Processing Times
Processing times are rolling estimates and vary by permit type, country and whether you apply from inside or outside Canada. As a 2026 rule of thumb:
- Open work permits: roughly 4-12 weeks
- Employer-specific (LMIA-based): the LMIA itself can take several weeks, then the permit application on top — budget a few months end to end
- PGWP (online, inland): often longer than people expect, frequently 3-6 months
- IEC / Working Holiday: varies widely by country and time of year
Always check IRCC's live processing-times tool for the figure that applies to your exact situation rather than relying on any blog number, including this one.
Summary: Open permits are usually the fastest; anything involving an LMIA is the slowest because there are two government steps stacked on top of each other.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Confirm which permit you qualify for. Use IRCC's "Come to Canada" / work permit questionnaire — it tells you whether you're eligible for an open or employer-specific permit.
- Gather documents. A valid passport, photos that meet IRCC specs, proof of funds, and — depending on your stream — a job offer, the LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer number, a PGWP graduation letter and transcript, or proof of relationship for a spousal open permit.
- Create an IRCC secure account and apply online. Most work permits are now submitted through the IRCC online portal.
- Pay the fees. Processing fee, the open work permit holder fee if applicable, and biometrics.
- Give your biometrics. You'll get a letter telling you to attend a collection point.
- Wait and respond promptly to any request for additional documents or a medical exam.
A critical rule: do not start working until your permit is actually issued, unless you fall under maintained status (see below). Starting work too early can jeopardize your status.
Maintained status (formerly "implied status")
If you apply to extend or change your work permit before your current one expires, you can usually keep working under the same conditions while you wait for the decision — this is called maintained status. It only applies if you applied on time and remain in Canada. If you let your permit expire before applying, you lose this protection and must stop working.
If you're on a closed permit and lose your job, you generally need a new permit (and often a new LMIA) before working for a different employer — your existing closed permit does not transfer.
What This Means for Settling In
Once your permit is in hand, several first-week tasks unlock. You can apply for a Social Insurance Number, which every employer needs before they can pay you. In British Columbia, a work permit valid for six months or longer (combined with residency intent) lets you enrol in the Medical Services Plan after the standard waiting period. And a steady T4 income makes it far easier to open a Canadian bank account and start building credit.
Keep every employment record. Your job offer, contracts, pay stubs and T4 slips are not just for tax season — they're the evidence you'll need if you later apply for permanent residence under a program like Express Entry. Treat your work history as a paper trail you're building from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Canada work permit cost in 2026?
The processing fee is CAD $155 per person. An open work permit adds a $100 open work permit holder fee. Biometrics are $85 per person ($170 maximum per family). So an open permit typically costs an individual $340, and an employer-specific permit around $240. If an LMIA is required, the employer — not you — pays a separate $1,000 fee per position.
Can I work in Canada while waiting for my work permit?
Only in two situations. If this is a new application, you must wait until the permit is issued. If you applied to extend or change an existing permit before it expired and you stayed in Canada, you can keep working under maintained status while you wait for the decision.
What's the difference between an open and a closed work permit?
A closed (employer-specific) permit ties you to one named employer and usually requires an LMIA. An open permit lets you work for almost any employer with no job offer or LMIA needed, but is only available in defined situations such as PGWP holders, IEC participants and certain spouses.
How long is a Post-Graduation Work Permit valid?
Between 8 months and 3 years. The length generally matches your study program, except master's graduates can get a 3-year PGWP regardless of program length. The permit is also capped at your passport's expiry date.
Does my spouse need their own LMIA to work?
No. Spouses and common-law partners who qualify receive an open work permit, which requires no LMIA and no job offer. Eligibility depends on your own status — for example, being a skilled worker or an eligible international student.
What happens if I lose my job on a closed work permit?
A closed permit doesn't transfer to a new employer. You'll generally need a new work permit, and often a new LMIA, before you can legally work somewhere else. If your status is at risk, speak to an authorized immigration representative quickly to explore your options.
References
- IRCC — Citizenship and immigration application fees (fee list) — official work permit, open work permit holder and biometrics fees.
- IRCC — Which work permit fees do I have to pay? — who pays which fee.
- IRCC — What is an open work permit? — open permit definition and restrictions.
- Canada.ca — Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP — PGWP validity and length rules.
- IRCC — Check current processing times — live processing-time estimates by permit type.
- Canada.ca — Hire a temporary foreign worker through the TFWP — LMIA process and $1,000 employer fee.