Why Canada Work Visa?

• 5 lakh+ job vacancies currently open across Canada.
• Canada issued 600,000+ work permits in recent years — and demand keeps growing.
• Earn an average salary of CAD 50,000 to 60,000 in skilled roles.
• Relaxed work policies for skilled workers across multiple sectors.
• Standard 40-hour work week with 25 paid leaves every year.
• Average salaries per hour have increased by 7.5% recently.

What Makes Canada's Work Visa So Appealing?

A key driver is the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — a process that permits Canadian employers to recruit foreign skilled workers for occupations that cannot be filled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This opens the door for international applicants from any country to be sponsored into genuine, in-demand roles.

Benefits of Working in Canada

Canada Work Visa for International Applicants

As one of the world's leading economies, Canada is a perfect destination for skilled professionals from any country seeking to work abroad. The Canadian Work Permit is the best route for those willing to migrate to Canada permanently. Typically, applicants need a job offer in hand to apply for a Canada work permit. With TMS Visa's end-to-end overseas career solutions, we help you find a job and apply for a Canada Work Visa.

Canada Work Permit Requirements

List of Forms Required

• Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295)
• Family Information (IMM 5707)
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)
• Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (IMM 5802)

List of Documents Required

• Proof of payment
• A photocopy of the information page of your valid passport or travel document
• Two photos
• Proof of current immigration status
• Photocopy of your marriage license or certificate, if applicable
• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
• Proof of employer compliance fee payment
• Valid Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if working in Quebec with an LMIA
• If applying for a post-graduation work permit: proof of study program requirements
• For provincial nominees: federal-provincial agreement overview [R204(c) – T13]

Canada Work Permit Eligibility

Irrespective of the work permit you are applying for, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include:

• Age: No specific age limit for most Canada work permits. However, age criteria may apply to certain immigration programs such as Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
• Valid job offer letter issued by a Canadian employer with a positive LMIA.
• Minimum 2 years of skilled work experience under NOC category TEER Level 0, 1, 2, or 3.

What Is the Canada Work Permit Process?

First, identify your occupation's National Occupational Classification (NOC) code — this helps determine eligibility for specific immigration programs.

Canada Work Permit Processing Time

Canada Work Permit processing time varies from 3–4 months for overseas applicants, depending on the type of work permit you choose to apply for.

Canada Work Visa Costs & Fees

Students

Inadmissibility

Biometrics

Additional Important Fee

Note: The work permit application fee is CAD $155 per person. In most cases, an additional biometrics fee of CAD $85 applies, bringing the total cost to CAD $240 per applicant.

Jobs in Canada — Top In-Demand Roles

There are 1 million jobs in Canada lying vacant for over 3 months. The table below shows the top in-demand occupations along with average salaries.

Average Salary Levels in Canada

Salaries in Canada vary based on experience, industry, and job role. Entry-level workers usually earn lower salaries, while mid-level and senior professionals with specialised skills earn higher pay — common across IT, healthcare, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and hospitality. High-demand roles such as AI engineers, cybersecurity experts, and senior IT professionals may earn even more.

Market Background & Trends in Canada

• Record Foreign Workforce: Canada hosted approximately 3 million non-permanent residents in Q3 2024, with temporary foreign worker numbers continuing to break previous records into early 2025.
• Immigration Recalibration: Canada's 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan set decreasing permanent resident admissions — 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027 — as the government aims to return immigration to sustainable levels while easing pressure on housing and infrastructure.
• Largest Source Country: 127,320 Indian nationals became permanent residents in 2024, accounting for 26% of all PRs — making India Canada's single largest source country by a significant margin. TMS Visa works with applicants from many other source countries too.
• In-Demand Sectors: Healthcare, technology, logistics, and skilled trades continue to be Canada's highest-demand sectors, driven by an aging population, high retirement rates, and structural skill shortages.
• Skilled Visa Categories: Key immigration pathways include Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), and the International Mobility Program (IMP).
• Category-Based Selection (CBS): Canada conducted 19 CBS rounds in 2024, focusing on French-language proficiency, healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, transport, agriculture, and education — with candidates from India topping the STEM category at 75% of invitations.
• Policy Reforms: Canada is transitioning its immigration focus toward temporary residents already living and working in the country — over 60% of new permanent residents in January 2026 were former temporary residents with Canadian education and work experience.
• Growing Labour Shortfall: Despite a slight dip in total job vacancies to around 524,300 in Q1 2025, Canada's overall labour demand continues to rise, driven by demographic shifts, technological innovation, and persistent skill shortages.
• Fast-Track PR Pathways: Candidates in healthcare and STEM occupations invited through Category-Based Selection can receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with relatively lower CRS scores, significantly accelerating the path to PR compared to standard Express Entry draws.

Types of Canada Work Permits

Canada has multiple types of work permits and visas through which candidates can apply to work:

• Temporary Foreign Worker Program
• Intra-Company Transfers
• LMIA Required
• LMIA Exempt
• Business Visitors
• IEC Canada
• Post-Graduation Work Permits
• Open Work Permits

LMIA Canada

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is essential for candidates who want to migrate to work in Canada. A positive LMIA report helps you enter the local job market of Canada. The candidate's employer applies through Employment and Social Development Canada and Service Canada.

Canada Open Work Permit

An employer-specific work permit allows you to work for a specific employer only. The open work permit, by contrast, can come with certain conditions written on it — including type of work, places where you can work, and duration of work.

Holders of the Following Visas Can Apply for an Open Work Permit

• Spousal Open Work Permit
• Temporary Work Permits for spouses
• Post-Graduation Work Permit
• Temporary Resident Permit
• World Youth Program Permit
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program Spousal Permit
• Regular Open Work Permit
• Bridging Open Work Permit

Conditions for the Open Work Permit

• Proof of financial resources that can support you and your family during the work permit validity.
• Proof of no criminal record.
• Proof that you are in good health.
• Willingness to adhere to your work permit conditions even if restricted.
• Meet eligibility conditions such as language skills, biometric data, and insurance.

IEC Canada

IEC, or International Experience Canada, allows applicants to travel and work in Canada for up to 2 years. There are 3 types of work and travel experiences:

• Working Holiday
• Young Professionals
• International Co-op (Internship)

Benefits of the Canada Work Permit Visa

Canada issued 608,420 work permits in 2022. This number increased significantly, with over 800,000 work permits issued in 2023, reflecting rising demand for foreign workers (IRCC). Under the Canada Work Permit Visa, you can:

• Work in Canada under the employer mentioned in your work permit application.
• Migrate along with your family.
• Take the shortest route to settle in Canada.
• Earn in CAD while planning your finances strategically.
• Travel across Canada.
• Enjoy retirement benefits.
• Access free healthcare benefits.
• Apply for a PR visa based on eligibility.