LMIA-exempt work permit for provincial nominees (T13): who can use it and what to prepare

Qualifying provincial nominees can benefit from this special LMIA-exempt work permit

Some people who already have a provincial nomination can apply for an employer-specific (closed) work permit without an LMIA. This can help you start working sooner in your nominating province, or extend your ability to work while your PR file is still being processed.

This option is not automatic. It usually depends on (1) a valid nomination, (2) a job offer in the nominating province, and (3) a province-issued work permit support letter.

What “LMIA-exempt (T13)” means in simple words

LMIA-exempt means your employer does not apply to Service Canada for an LMIA for this job.
It is still usually an employer-specific work permit, tied to one employer and one job.
The employer usually still must submit an offer of employment in the IRCC Employer Portal and pay the $230 employer compliance fee (unless they are exempt).

Helpful official links:

Employer steps (Employer Portal + $230 fee): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/hire-temporary-foreign/international-mobility-program/how-to-hire.html
Employer Portal user guide: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/partners-service-providers/employer-portal/user-guide.html
What is the employer compliance fee: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1186&top=17

Who may qualify (T13 checklist)

You’re generally looking at this option if all of these are true:

You are nominated under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees.html
You have a valid nomination and the province has not paused/withdrawn it.
You have a job offer from an employer in the same province/territory that nominated you (because the intent is to work in that province).
You have a work permit support letter from the province (many provinces only issue it in specific situations).

Important: A nomination and a support letter do not guarantee approval. IRCC still checks admissibility and whether the application is complete.

Documents you should prepare (common items IRCC expects)

Exact requirements vary, but these are the documents that most often matter for a T13 employer-specific work permit:

Nomination confirmation letter (the letter you received from the province showing you were nominated).
Provincial work permit support letter (the key document that makes this option possible).
Employer Portal offer of employment number (your employer gets this after submitting the offer).
Proof the employer paid the $230 employer compliance fee (unless exempt).
A job offer / contract that matches what the province supported (job title, duties, wage, location).

Timing: apply before your status expires

If your current work permit is expiring, timing matters. If you apply from inside Canada before your status expires, you may be able to stay under “maintained status,” but travel can affect your ability to keep working. Official guidance: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/work-permit/after-apply.html

Extensions and changing employers (what to watch)

If you change employers, you usually need a new Employer Portal offer and may need a new provincial support letter (many provinces treat a new employer as a new assessment).
Even if you stay with the same employer, an extension may still require a new offer submission in the Employer Portal.

Because provinces run PNP rules differently, always check your province’s post-nomination instructions.

Family members: can your spouse work?

Some spouses/partners of foreign workers can apply for an open work permit, but eligibility rules changed in 2025 and depend on your job TEER level and other conditions. Start here:

Don’t confuse this with the “prospective PNP candidate” open work permit

There is a separate open work permit measure for some prospective PNP candidates (not nominated yet) with a special support letter in Manitoba or Yukon. IRCC’s page clearly says it is not for people already nominated and is open until December 31, 2025:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/special-instructions/support-letter.html

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is T13 an open work permit?

No. T13 is generally an employer-specific (closed) work permit under the International Mobility Program.

Does a T13 work permit guarantee my PR approval?

No. A work permit helps you work legally, but PR is a separate decision. IRCC can still refuse PR (or a work permit) if requirements are not met.

Does my employer still have to use the Employer Portal and pay fees?

In most cases, yes: the employer submits an offer in the Employer Portal and pays the $230 employer compliance fee (unless exempt).

What happens if my nomination is withdrawn or paused?

This can affect your eligibility. Provinces can change the status of a nomination, and IRCC may not approve a work permit request if the nomination isn’t valid.

Reality check

This work permit can be helpful, but it’s not available to everyone. The biggest limits are:

you must keep your nomination valid and follow provincial rules,
it is usually closed (tied to one employer),
and IRCC can still refuse if documents don’t match or if admissibility issues exist.

If you tell me your province and whether you’re already nominated (yes/no), I can turn this into a Canadianow-ready version focused only on that province’s typical support-letter process (with official links).