Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada don't require a work permit or visa to work in Canada, regardless of their country of residence.
Foreign nationals looking to work in or visit Canada may need to get a work permit, a visitor visa or both to enter Canada. There are temporary and permanent immigration programs that you may be eligible to apply for.
To work temporarily in Canada, determine your eligibility and apply to the:
- Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- International Experience Canada (IEC)
To work and become a permanent resident of Canada, determine your eligibility and apply to the:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) - Express entry
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) - Express entry, including its Ph.D. eligibility stream
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) - Express entry
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is the department responsible for immigration to Canada. For information on other pathways for immigration to Canada, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's Web site.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada offices and visa application centres (VACs)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has offices in Canada and in many countries around the world that can be contacted in person, by e-mail, by phone, or using other communication channels.
Visa officers at those locations can generally assist with:
- giving information and answering questions about immigration programs to visit, study, or work in Canada;
- completing visa applications for the immigration program you've selected.
VACs are also available in countries/regions where there are few or no Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada visa offices.
