CanadiaNow

Meta Description: Work permits explained: open vs employer-specific, LMIA basics, eligibility, extensions, and maintained status. Official IRCC links.

Applying from outside Canada (Guide 5487):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5487-applying-work-permit-outside-canada.html

Applying inside Canada (extend/change conditions) (Guide 5553):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5553-applying-change-conditions-extend-your-stay-canada-worker.html

Extend or change a work permit (IRCC):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/extend.html

Maintained status (extend/change before expiry) (IRCC):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/extend/apply.html

Open work permit (IRCC Help Centre):
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=176&top=17

LMIA: do you need one? (IRCC/ESDC):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/hire-temporary-foreign/find-need-labour-market-impact-assessment.html

Hire a temporary foreign worker (ESDC/TFWP hub):
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html

Check processing times (IRCC):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html

International Experience Canada (IEC) (IRCC):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec.html

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) (IRCC):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html

Policy & Processing (IRCC Updates) Work Permits

Canada temporarily halts removals to Israel and Lebanon under an Administrative Deferral of Removal (ADR)

August 10, 2026

Caglar Aybas

On March 7, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced a temporary halt on removals to Israel and Lebanon. ...

Work Permits

LMIA Processing Times Increased In February 2026, Especially The High-Wage Stream

August 9, 2026

Caglar Aybas

Updated July 2026. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated its LMIA processing times for February 2026 data, and processing ...

Work Permits

Iran Work Permit Policy: What Expired and What Replaced It

July 9, 2026

Caglar Aybas

Updated July 2026. IRCC’s special temporary measures for Iranian nationals expired at midnight UTC on March 1, 2026 — but ...

Work Permits

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

August 9, 2026

Caglar Aybas

Qualifying provincial nominees can benefit from this special LMIA-exempt work permit Some people who already have a provincial nomination can ...

Work Permits

Canada Is Prioritizing These Occupations for Faster Work Permit Processing

July 5, 2026

Caglar Aybas

Canada is prioritizing certain “essential service” occupations for faster processing of employer-specific work permit applications. This is not a separate ...

Work Permits

IRCC Extends Policy Allowing IEC Participants to Receive Subsequent Work Permits from Inside Canada

August 10, 2026

Caglar Aybas

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a temporary public policy allowing certain International Experience Canada (IEC) participants to ...