Canadian Work Permits & Work Visas | Toronto Immigration Lawyers

The “right” work permit depends on your role, employer, nationality, location, and long-term plans. Our team advises on the full range of Canadian work-permit categories.

LMIA-Based (“Closed”) Work Permits

For many positions, especially where there is no relevant exemption, employers must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An approved LMIA allows a foreign national to apply for a closed work permit tied to a specific employer, location, and occupation.

We assist employers with:

• Assessing whether an LMIA is required or whether an alternative LMIA-exempt category is available.
• Meeting recruitment and advertising requirements.
• Preparing detailed LMIA submissions aligned with current wage, labour-market rules and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requirements.
• Supporting foreign workers through the subsequent work-permit application.

LMIA-Exempt Work Permits Under International Agreements

Depending upon country of citizenship, workers may qualify for LMIA-exempt work permits under international agreements and programs, such as:

• CUSMA (for qualifying U.S. and Mexican citizens in listed professions,  intra-company roles or treaty traders/investors).
• Other free-trade agreements and international agreements, such as CETA or CPTPP, where appropriate.

We help determine whether your role and background fit these categories and prepare the required application.

Intra-Company Transfer Work Permits

Multinational companies often move key staff between offices in different countries using intra-company transfer (ICT) work permits. These permits allow executives, managers, and workers with specialized knowledge to work in Canada for an affiliated entity.

We:

• Confirm whether the corporate relationship, role, and employee history meet ICT criteria.
• Coordinate with HR and global mobility teams to gather corporate documentation.
• Prepare applications that clearly set out duties, organizational charts, and evidence of specialized knowledge or executive or senior managerial skills and experience.

Significant Benefit Canada Work Permits

Where an applicant’s work is expected to bring a significant social, cultural, or economic benefit to Canada, a Significant Benefit Canada Work Permit may be available under the International Mobility Program. This can be relevant for internationally recognized artists, scientists, innovators, athletes, coaches, business leaders, entrepreneurs, experts, and key personnel in major projects.

We work with applicants and employers to demonstrate:

• The applicant’s accomplishments and recognition in their field.
• The specific benefits to Canada, such as job creation, investment, innovation, or cultural contribution.

Reciprocal Employment Work Permits (C20)

In some cases, a work permit may be issued on the basis of reciprocity. Under the International Mobility Program, foreign workers can qualify for LMIA-exempt work permits where there is a demonstrated pattern of Canadians receiving similar opportunities abroad – for example, through exchange programs, collective agreements, or arrangements between professional associations, sports leagues, or cultural organizations.

We assist employers and workers in determining whether a C20 reciprocal employment work permit in Canada applies and, where it does, in documenting the underlying agreements or practice to support an LMIA-exempt work permit application.

Francophone Mobilité & Other Specialized Categories

Canada has specific work-permit options for French-speaking workers and other specialized groups. For example, Francophone Mobilité can be an option for French-speaking professionals working outside Quebec, and certain categories exist for athletes, coaches, and other specialized roles.

Our lawyers assess whether you can benefit from these targeted programs and align your application with the latest program rules and quotas.

IEC & Youth Mobility Work Permits

Through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program and youth mobility agreements, eligible young adults from partner countries can:

• Obtain working holiday permits;
• Secure employer-specific permits as young professionals or co-op participants.

We guide applicants and employers through IEC rules, documentation, and timing so that opportunities are not missed due to pool or season deadlines.

Open Work Permits (PGWP, Spouses, Bridging & More)

Some workers qualify for open work permits, which are not tied to a single employer, such as:

• Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) for eligible graduates from Canadian designated learning institutions.
• Spousal open work permits for spouses of certain workers or students.
• Bridging open work permits, in certain cases, while permanent-residence applications are in process.

We help you understand if you qualify, what documentation is required, and how a particular open work permit fits into your overall immigration strategy.