Work Permit — LMIA Required
Documents and eligibility gates
Every requirement below is quoted verbatim from the official IRCC source and linked back to it. Navisa reads and cites the governing text rather than restating a document name from memory. This is a reference summary, not immigration advice, and it does not replace review by a licensed RCIC.
Documents and eligibility gates
Every requirement below is quoted verbatim from the official source and linked back to it. Navisa reads and cites the governing text rather than restating a document name from memory. This is a reference summary, not immigration advice, and it does not replace review by a licensed RCIC.
“employers must notify the temporary foreign worker that the LMIA was approved”
“employers must send the positive LMIA letter to the temporary foreign worker”
“an employment contract”
“be in good health and complete a medical exam, if needed”
“employers who don't provide the names of the temporary foreign workers when applying for an LMIA must continue to try and recruit Canadians and permanent residents until they choose a temporary foreign worker”
“If an exemption doesn’t apply, then - you need an LMIA to hire the worker **and** - the worker needs a work permit”
“You do **not** need an LMIA if the worker has an [open work permit](/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/open-work-permit.html).”
“not plan to work with an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages”
“not intend to engage in employment with an employer on the List of Ineligible Employers”
“a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) (if you plan to work a **paid** job in Quebec for **more than 30 days**)”
“2. Tell them to [apply for a work permit](/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada.html#location).”
“be in good health and complete a medical examination, if required”
“a copy of the positive LMIA and LMIA file number”
“1 photo meeting the visa photo specifications”
“When the worker applies for a work permit, they must submit - a copy of the CAQ - a copy of the positive LMIA decision letter”
“proof that you meet the requirements of the job (for example, the license or certification if your job is regulated)”
“proof of past work experience (for example, pay stubs)”
“show that you have enough money during your stay in Canada to take care of yourself and your family members and to return home”
“Most employers need an LMIA before they can hire a temporary foreign worker.”
“Job offer not required”
“You need a job offer.”
“to have a job offer from an employer who’s not on the list of non-compliant employers”
“Positive decisions issued for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications received as of May 1, 2024, are valid for up to 6 months.”
“temporary foreign workers must apply for a work permit at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)”
“Application For Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295)”
“1 photo meeting the visa photo specifications”
“a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) (if you plan to work a paid job in Quebec for more than 30 days)”
“a letter from your current employer”
“employment contract”
“To apply for an employer-specific work permit, you need - to meet the general requirements for all work permit applicants”
“Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)”
“You need a job offer.”
“job offer letter”
“To apply for an employer-specific work permit, you need - to have a job offer from an employer who’s **not** on the list of [non-compliant employers](/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/employers-non-compliant.html)”
“evidence that you meet the requirements of the job, possibly including specific educational requirements and a valid Canadian provincial or territorial trade certificate”
“Your employer may need a labour market impact assessment (LMIA).”
“a copy of the LMIA provided by ESDC, if applicable, and a copy of your job offer letter from your prospective employer”
“a copy of the positive LMIA decision letter”
“give you documents, like an LMIA letter and Annex A from their positive LMIA, which you’ll need to include in your application”
“proof of a medical exam”
“the offer of employment number (The offer of employment number starts with an “A” and is followed by 7 numbers). Your employer should provide it to you”
“If you are not a citizen of the country or territory where you are applying, you must send proof of your present immigration status in that country or territory.”
“If the government that issued your passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit, you must receive it before you apply for a work permit.”
“a photocopy of your passport or travel document”
“a reference letter from your past employers”
“proof of past work experience (for example, pay stubs)”
“copy of the positive Labour Market Impact Assessment”
“A copy of the attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), if you plan to work in Quebec or will be working in Quebec.”
“If you need an LMIA to work: A copy of the labour market impact assessment (LMIA) from ESDC (your employer should give this to you), AND a copy of your employment contract from your future employer.”
“Proof that you are eligible for the job (for example: a valid Canadian provincial or territorial trade certificate, educational requirements or past work experience outlined in a resume).”
“For LMIA-exempt work permits: The offer of employment number (begins with the letter “A” and is followed by seven numbers) that your employer should give to you,”
“A valid passport or travel document that gives you the right to return to the country or territory that issued it; and”
“Two (2) photos of yourself and each family member accompanying you, that meet the Visa application photograph specifications.”
“If you are in a common-law relationship and your common-law partner will accompany you to Canada, you must fill out and click on the “Validate” button located at the end of the form Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) and send proof listed on the form to support your relationship.”
“You may need to provide a marriage certificate and birth certificates for any accompanying family members.”
“proof of past work experience, for example pay stubs”
“a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)”
“a copy of the attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) if you work in Quebec or will be working in Quebec”
“proof that you meet the requirements of the job being offered”
“a resume”
“proof of past work experience (for example, pay stubs)”
Navisa is an AI file-prep engine for Canadian immigration firms. The requirements here are drawn from the same grounded, citation-first knowledge base the product runs on active cases.
Start free trial