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Work Permits for Foreign Workers

Work permit rules for Canada and Poland: IRCC renewals, open permits for spouses, LMIA-exempt codes like C11 and C13, exemptions and options after expiry.

12 articles tagged work permit

Articles tagged “work permit”

How Work Permits Are Issued

A work permit authorises a foreign national to take paid employment in a specific country, and it is separate from the visa or entry document that lets the person cross the border. In Canada, permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in two main forms: employer-specific permits tied to one employer and job, and open permits that allow work for almost any employer.

Most employer-specific permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada, which shows that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the local labour market. The International Mobility Program covers LMIA-exempt cases identified by exemption codes, including those based on trade agreements such as CPTPP and CUSMA. A few activities, such as business visits or officiating at some international sporting events, need no permit at all. A worker who applies for an extension before the current permit expires generally keeps maintained status and can continue working under the same conditions while IRCC decides.

Poland uses a different model: the employer obtains a work permit from the regional voivode, and the worker then applies for a national D visa at a Polish consulate.