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    Canada

    Canada Work Permit Types Explained: LMIA, Open & Employer-Specific

    7 min readMarch 15, 2026
    Quick Answer

    Canada has three main work permit types: LMIA-based (employer proves no Canadian available, strongest PR pathway), Open Work Permits (work for any employer, available to spouses and PGWP holders), and Employer-Specific permits (tied to one employer). LMIA permits add 50-200 CRS points for Express Entry.

    Table of Contents▼

    Canada offers several types of work permits, each with different requirements and benefits. Understanding these options is crucial for planning your immigration strategy.

    Types of Work Permits

    1. LMIA-Based Work Permit

    The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) work permit requires a Canadian employer to prove no Canadian worker is available for the position.

    Benefits:

  1. • Strongest PR pathway (+50-200 CRS points)
  2. • Employer demonstrates commitment
  3. • Clear job security

    4. 2. Open Work Permit

    An open work permit allows you to work for any Canadian employer without a specific job offer.

    Who qualifies:

  4. • Spouses of skilled workers or students
  5. • Post-graduation work permit holders
  6. • Bridging open work permit applicants
  7. • Certain humanitarian cases

    8. 3. Employer-Specific Work Permit

    Tied to a specific employer, job, and location. Required when:

  8. • LMIA has been approved
  9. • International agreements apply (e.g., CUSMA)
  10. • Significant benefit to Canada

    11. 📋 Ready to start your immigration journey?

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    Which Permit Leads to PR?

    LMIA-based work permits offer the strongest PR pathway because:

  11. • Canadian work experience boosts CRS score
  12. • Valid job offer adds 50-200 CRS points
  13. • Demonstrates economic integration

    14. Application Checklist

  14. ☐ Valid passport
  15. ☐ Job offer letter
  16. ☐ LMIA (if applicable)
  17. ☐ Proof of qualifications
  18. ☐ Language test results
  19. ☐ Medical exam
  20. ☐ Police clearance

    21. Get expert guidance on choosing the right work permit — contact Garg Brothers today.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which Canadian work permit is best for PR?+
    LMIA-based work permits offer the strongest PR pathway, adding 50-200 CRS points to your Express Entry profile. Canadian work experience gained on any valid work permit also boosts your CRS score and may qualify you for Canadian Experience Class.
    How long does an LMIA take to process?+
    LMIA processing takes 2-5 months depending on the stream. High-wage positions and Global Talent Stream applications may process faster (2-4 weeks). Your employer applies for the LMIA, then you apply for the work permit separately.
    Can my spouse work in Canada on my work permit?+
    If you hold a skilled work permit (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), your spouse can apply for an open work permit. This allows them to work for any Canadian employer, gaining valuable Canadian experience that also helps with PR applications.
    What is the difference between open and closed work permits?+
    Open work permits let you work for any employer in any location. Closed (employer-specific) permits restrict you to a named employer, job, and location. Open permits offer more flexibility but closed permits with LMIA provide stronger CRS points for PR.
    Can I switch employers on a work permit in Canada?+
    On an open work permit, you can switch freely. On an employer-specific permit, you need a new LMIA and work permit to change employers. In some cases, you may apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit while your PR is processing.

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