You almost always have to apply for a work permit from outside Canada. Sometimes, you can apply from inside or as you enter Canada.

Check your eligibility to apply while:

• Outside Canada
• Inside Canada
• As you enter Canada

Eligibility to apply from outside Canada

To apply for a work permit from outside Canada, you need to submit:

• a job offer from a Canadian employer;
• a completed visa application, that shows that you meet all the requirements of the immigration departments, and
• a written confirmation from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job.

This confirmation is called a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO).

• In most cases, it is up to your employer to get the written confirmation.
• In some cases, you do not need a Labour Market Opinion.

You must also:

• satisfy a visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your work permit;
• show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada;
• respect the law and have no criminal record;
• show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada;
• be in good health.

Eligibility to apply from inside Canada

You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if:

• you have a valid study or work permit, or your spouse or parents have a study or work per
mit;
• you have a work permit for one job but want to apply for a work permit for a different job;
• you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more; or
• you are in Canada because you have already applied for permanent residence from inside Canada.

You must submit:

• a job offer from a Canadian employer
;
• a completed visa application, that shows that you meet the requirements of the immigration departments, and
• a written confirmation from HRSDC that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job.

This confirmation is called a positive labour market opinion.

• In most cases, it is up to your employer to get that written confirmation.
• In some cases, you do not need a labour market opinion.

You must also:

• satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your work permit.
• show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada.
• respect the law and have no criminal record.
• show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada.
• be in good health. (You may have to have a medical examination.)

Eligibility to apply as you enter Canada

You can apply for a work permit as you enter Canada, but only if you meet the following requirements:

• you are temporary resident visa exempt, and
• your job does not need a labour market opinion from HRSDC, or
• you hold a labour market opinion from HRSDC.