Work in Canada · International Mobility Program
LMIA-exemptwork permits
Explore employer-specific exemptions and open work permits, with clear guidance on eligibility, employer obligations and supporting documents.
What does LMIA-exempt mean?
An LMIA exemption allows an eligible work permit application to proceed without the employer obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Many exemptions fall under the International Mobility Program (IMP), with eligibility based on an agreement, Canadian interests or a specific policy or situation.
Employer-specific exemptions
You need a qualifying job and exemption category. Your permit usually names the employer, and the employer normally completes the required Employer Portal steps.
Open work permits
You must qualify for a specific open permit category. A job offer is generally not required, and the employer does not submit a portal offer or pay the employer compliance fee.
Official guidance: IRCC: International Mobility Program.
Official guidance: IRCC: open work permits.
Common employer-specific pathways
| Pathway | Who it may suit | Key assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Francophone Mobility | Eligible French-speaking workers with employment outside Quebec. | French speaking and listening ability, location and the current occupation requirements. |
| Intra-company transfers | Qualifying employees transferring within an eligible international corporate group. | Corporate relationship, qualifying overseas employment, proposed role and category-specific requirements. |
| International agreements | Eligible professionals, transferees and other workers under agreements such as CUSMA, CETA or CPTPP. | Nationality, occupation and the precise agreement category. Eligibility is not available to every nationality. |
| Provincial support / T13 | Eligible workers supported under a federal–provincial or territorial agreement. | The qualifying provincial support, employer and applicable work permit instructions. A nomination alone does not authorize work. |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | Eligible applicants with the required designated-employer offer and provincial support. | The AIP work permit requirements and supporting documents must be met separately from permanent residence. |
| Significant benefit / C10, entrepreneurs / C11 or C60 | Cases that meet the relevant Canadian-benefit criteria. | Detailed evidence supporting the particular exemption. Note that provincial business candidates and Quebec self-employed applicants with a CSQ moved from C11 to C60 on 15 December 2022; C11 now covers only a narrow federal list. Buying or registering a business alone does not establish eligibility. |
| Reciprocal, academic, charitable or religious work | Workers whose role and circumstances meet a recognized exemption. | The actual duties, organization and exemption criteria; some activities instead fall under a work permit exemption. |
These are examples, not a complete eligibility list. Exemption codes and instructions can change. We identify the current category from the facts of the case before preparing the application.
Official guidance: IRCC: LMIA exemption categories and codes.
Official guidance: IRCC: workers eligible under the IMP.
Open work permit options
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
For graduates who meet the current institution, program, study and application requirements. A language result is required: CLB/NCLC 7 for university bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, CLB/NCLC 5 for college and other non-university programs. A field-of-study requirement applies only to non-degree programs where the study permit application was submitted on or after 1 November 2024. Completing a Canadian program alone does not establish eligibility.
Bridging open work permit (BOWP)
For eligible permanent residence applicants who meet the relevant application-stage and status requirements. An Express Entry profile or invitation alone is not sufficient.
Spouse or common-law partner
Some spouses and partners of workers or students qualify. The principal person’s occupation, program, authorization and remaining validity can matter.
Sponsored spouses and partners in Canada
A specific open work permit route may apply to eligible sponsored applicants. Living arrangements, the sponsorship stage and temporary status must be assessed.
International Experience Canada
Working Holiday permits are open; Young Professionals and International Co-op permits are employer-specific. Citizenship, age, category and available participation opportunities matter.
Other defined situations
Additional open permit categories and temporary policies may apply to particular circumstances. Check whether the measure is open and whether you meet its precise conditions.
Official guidance: IRCC: who can apply for an open work permit.
Official guidance: IRCC: bridging open work permits.
Official guidance: IRCC: PGWP eligibility.
A closer look at spousal work permits
Spouses and partners of workers
Under the general high-skilled worker measure for workers who are not on an eligible permanent residence pathway, the principal worker generally needs employment in TEER 0 or 1, or an occupation on IRCC’s selected TEER 2 or 3 list. Their work authorization must generally remain valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse’s application.
Separate rules apply to eligible permanent residence pathways, certain agreements and other defined measures. Do not apply the 16-month rule or occupation list to every family case.
Dependent children
Since 21 January 2025, dependent children are no longer eligible for an open work permit under the high-skilled worker measure. They can still qualify under the permanent residence pathway measures, where a dependent child of the principal applicant or their spouse may be eligible. Children otherwise need their own status assessment.
Spouses and partners of students
Eligibility generally depends on the student holding a valid study permit and studying in a master’s program of at least 16 months, a doctoral program, or a listed eligible or professional degree program. A spouse does not qualify simply because the student attends a designated learning institution.
Official guidance: IRCC: family members of workers.
Official guidance: IRCC: spouses and partners of students.
How the application works
- Identify the exemptionMatch your work, qualifications, family circumstances or immigration history to a current category. Confirm whether the permit is employer-specific or open.
- Complete the employer steps, if requiredFor most employer-specific IMP permits, the employer submits the offer through the Employer Portal and pays the compliance fee, unless exempt. The worker receives the offer of employment number.
- Build the evidenceDocument every required element of the exemption and satisfy the general work permit requirements. A category name or code without supporting evidence is not enough.
- Apply through the correct routeUse the instructions for applying outside Canada, inside Canada or at a port of entry, where eligible. Visitors cannot assume they qualify to apply from inside Canada.
- Wait for the required authorizationComplete any biometrics, medical examination or document requests. Confirm when you may lawfully start working and review the conditions on the issued permit.
You must meet the requirements of the permit category and satisfy IRCC that you are admissible, can perform the work and will comply with your temporary status. Passport validity, previous immigration history, medical requirements and the place where you apply can affect your application.
Official guidance: IRCC: how to hire through the IMP.
What documents will you need?
| Application basis | Typical evidence |
|---|---|
| Employer-specific exemption | Employment offer and contract, portal offer number where required, employer evidence and documents establishing the exemption. |
| Corporate transfer or business case | Corporate ownership and operations, qualifying employment history, role descriptions and the evidence required by the specific category. |
| Spouse or partner | Marriage or common-law evidence, principal applicant’s status and relevant work, study or permanent residence documents. |
| PGWP | Completion evidence, transcripts and language or field-of-study evidence where required by the applicable rules. |
| BOWP or provincial support | Relevant permanent residence acknowledgement or stage evidence, nomination/support documents where applicable and current status evidence. |
Identity and immigration history
Passport, current permits or status documents, travel history and details of previous refusals.
Qualifications
Employment references, education, training and any licence or certification relevant to the offered job.
Include the personal, financial and admissibility evidence required by your checklist. Use compliant translations for documents that are not in English or French. The final checklist depends on the category and where you apply.
Official guidance: IRCC: general work permit requirements.
Fees, extensions and work conditions
For most employer-specific IMP cases, the employer compliance fee is CAD $230, unless an exemption applies. Open work permit employment does not require that employer fee or a portal offer. Applicant processing fees are separate; eligible open permit applicants generally also pay an open work permit holder fee unless exempt.
LMIA-exempt does not mean unrestricted employment. Employer-specific permits remain tied to their conditions. Open permits can still carry medical, occupation or provincial restrictions.
Apply before status expires where eligible. A qualifying extension may allow continued work under the existing conditions while you remain in Canada and IRCC processes it. An exemption assessment, employer offer or pending permanent residence file alone does not extend work authorization.
Official guidance: IRCC: employer steps and compliance fees.
Official guidance: IRCC: extension applications and continued work.
Common questions
Does LMIA-exempt always mean an open work permit?
No. Intra-company transfers, many agreement-based permits and other exemptions can be employer-specific. You must qualify separately for an open work permit category.
Can a Bangladeshi citizen qualify for an LMIA-exempt permit?
Potentially, if the person meets an applicable category such as an eligible family permit, PGWP, corporate transfer or another exemption. Nationality-restricted trade agreement routes cannot be assumed to apply.
Does my employer always need to use the Employer Portal?
Most employer-specific IMP cases require a portal offer and compliance fee, but exceptions exist. Employers hiring an eligible open work permit holder do not use those steps for that employment.
Can I get a BOWP after creating an Express Entry profile?
No. A profile is not a permanent residence application. A BOWP requires an eligible PR program, the required application stage and the applicable residence and status conditions.
Does an LMIA exemption guarantee faster processing?
No. Processing depends on the category and application circumstances. Any expedited processing has its own requirements and is not guaranteed.
How can Swodeshi help?
We assess the exemption, identify employer obligations, organize supporting evidence, prepare the work permit application and assist with government requests within the agreed service scope.
Find the work permit pathway that fits your situation.
Speak with Swodeshi Immigration about your job offer, qualifications, immigration status and the documents you need to move forward.