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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.

Eligibility gate
employers must notify the temporary foreign worker that the LMIA was approved
Eligibility gate
employers must send the positive LMIA letter to the temporary foreign worker
Eligibility gatelmia_required_work_permit
an employment contract
Eligibility gate
be in good health and complete a medical exam, if needed
Eligibility gate
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
Eligibility gate
If an exemption doesn’t apply, then - you need an LMIA to hire the worker **and** - the worker needs a work permit
Eligibility gate
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).
Eligibility gate
not plan to work with an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages
Eligibility gate
not intend to engage in employment with an employer on the List of Ineligible Employers
Eligibility gatelmia_required_work_permit
a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) (if you plan to work a **paid** job in Quebec for **more than 30 days**)
Eligibility gate
2. Tell them to [apply for a work permit](/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada.html#location).
Eligibility gate
be in good health and complete a medical examination, if required
Eligibility gatelmia_required_work_permit
a copy of the positive LMIA and LMIA file number
Eligibility gate
1 photo meeting the visa photo specifications
Eligibility gatequebec_lmia
When the worker applies for a work permit, they must submit - a copy of the CAQ - a copy of the positive LMIA decision letter
Eligibility gateemployer_specific_work_permit
proof that you meet the requirements of the job (for example, the license or certification if your job is regulated)
Eligibility gateemployer_specific_work_permit
proof of past work experience (for example, pay stubs)
Eligibility gate
show that you have enough money during your stay in Canada to take care of yourself and your family members and to return home
Eligibility gate
Most employers need an LMIA before they can hire a temporary foreign worker.
Eligibility gateopen_work_permit
Job offer not required
Eligibility gateemployer_specific_work_permit
You need a job offer.
Eligibility gate
to have a job offer from an employer who’s not on the list of non-compliant employers
Eligibility gate
Positive decisions issued for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications received as of May 1, 2024, are valid for up to 6 months.
Eligibility gate
temporary foreign workers must apply for a work permit at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Required document
Application For Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295)
Required document
1 photo meeting the visa photo specifications
Required documentlmia_required_work_permit
a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) (if you plan to work a paid job in Quebec for more than 30 days)
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
a letter from your current employer
Required documentlmia_required
employment contract
Required document
To apply for an employer-specific work permit, you need - to meet the general requirements for all work permit applicants
Required document
Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
You need a job offer.
Required documentlmia_required
job offer letter
Required document
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)
Required document
evidence that you meet the requirements of the job, possibly including specific educational requirements and a valid Canadian provincial or territorial trade certificate
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
Your employer may need a labour market impact assessment (LMIA).
Required document
a copy of the LMIA provided by ESDC, if applicable, and a copy of your job offer letter from your prospective employer
Required documentquebec_lmia
a copy of the positive LMIA decision letter
Required document
give you documents, like an LMIA letter and Annex A from their positive LMIA, which you’ll need to include in your application
Required document
proof of a medical exam
Required document
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
Required document
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.
Required document
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.
Required document
a photocopy of your passport or travel document
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
a reference letter from your past employers
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
proof of past work experience (for example, pay stubs)
Required documentlmia_required
copy of the positive Labour Market Impact Assessment
Required documentquebec_work
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.
Required documentlmia_required
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.
Required document
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).
Required documentlmia_exempt
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,
Required document
A valid passport or travel document that gives you the right to return to the country or territory that issued it; and
Required document
Two (2) photos of yourself and each family member accompanying you, that meet the Visa application photograph specifications.
Required document
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.
Required document
You may need to provide a marriage certificate and birth certificates for any accompanying family members.
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
proof of past work experience, for example pay stubs
Required documentlmia_required_work_permit
a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
Required document
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
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
proof that you meet the requirements of the job being offered
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
a resume
Required documentemployer_specific_work_permit
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.

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