How to get a Canada Work Permit from India?

Canada, the facilitator of employment opportunities, welcomes foreign nationals to work in Canada and later settle as permanent residents. Canada invites applications from individuals who want to migrate as skilled professionals and work legally in Canada.

 Canada allows individuals to work only when applicants have a work permit, which allows candidates to work for a Canadian employer for a specific period, inherits working rights, and later apply for Canada PR.

 A Canadian work permit is one of the best pathways to migrate to Canada from India. Let us decode how to get a Canadian work permit from India in 2025.

 Understand the Canada Work Permit

Canada Work Permit, a legal document that allows foreign nationals to be a part of Canada’s economy, to live, work and earn in Canada as ordinary as Canadian citizens. Canada, a powerhouse for job opportunities, creates boundless career opportunities among the global employment sectors.

Any foreign national who wants to work and earn in Canada must have a Canada work permit before migrating to Canada.

 Types of Canada Work Permit

Canada allows individuals to choose a work permit depending upon their comfort and skills:

 ❖  Employer-specific work permit

Employer-specific work permit allows individuals to work for a specific employer for a selected employment for a specific period of time. This work permit allows individuals to work by fulfilling some prerequisite conditions, such as:

●    Name of the employer for whom they are going to work

●    The duration of the employment

●    The location of the employment office

●    LIMA (Labour market impact assessment) certificate from the employer

 What is a LIMA certificate?

Labour market impact assessment (LIMA) certificate issued from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is an assessment document provided by the Canadian employer stating the need of candidates required for the job. This certificate ensures the urgent need for employment as the employer hasn’t been able to fulfill the vacancy in-house.

Any skilled professional who wants to apply for a Canada work permit, a LIMA certificate is mandatory.

 Examples of Employer-specific work permits

1.   Temporary Foreign Worker Program

This one such a work permit that allows Canadian employers to fill temporary jobs in Canada with foreign nationals when qualified Canadians are not available.

 2.   Intra-Company Transfer

This work permit allows foreign professionals to migrate to Canada, where multinational companies transfer employees to their branches in Canada.

 ❖  Open work permit

An open work permit allows candidates to work for any employer in Canada, regardless of any conditions such as a specific time-bound duration of employment, fixed employer for a fixed period. This allows candidates to have open schedules and flexibility in their employment.

However, a LIMA certificate is also not mandatory for an open work permit, making the application process simple and faster. This work permit is applicable for recent graduates and spouses of international students.

 Examples of Open work permits

1.   Post-Graduation work permit (PGWP)

Post-graduation work permit allows international students who have graduated from eligible schools to work and gain valuable Canadian work experience. Through this program, students can work and stay in Canada till the study program.

 2.   Spouse/Common-law partner open work permit

Spouse/Common-law partner allows the spouse or the common-law partner of a temporary resident in Canada to work for any employer. This permit is applicable for individuals whose spouse is in Canada for a study or work permit.

 3.   Bridging open work permit

Bridging open work permit allows individuals to stay in Canada with a pending permanent residency (PR) application to continue working. With this permit, candidates can still work as employees while waiting for PR.

 What are the eligibility requirements for a Canada work permit?

To be eligible for a Canada work permit, the candidate must have:

 ●    Prove that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires

●    Show that you have sufficient money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home

●    Obey the law and have no record of criminal activity

●    Not a threat to Canada’s security

●    Be in good health

●    Have a medical exam, if needed;

●    Not planning to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” list

How to apply for a Canada Work Permit from India?

Candidates can apply for a Canada work permit from India in a structured manner in some easy steps:

Step 1 Determine Eligibility

The foremost factor that determines a Canadian work permit is to check eligibility for a work permit. An employment offer from a Canadian employer is a crucial aspect required to start off the process.

Another important factor which determines the eligibility of a candidate is a LMIA certificate,, which states the employment urgency and hiring a foreign national won’t negatively impact the Canadian job market.

Step 2: Gather Essential Documents

After determining eligibility, the applicant must gather all the essential documents required for the process of applying for a Canada work permit from India. There is a list of documents which are essential:

●    Valid passport

● Passport-size photographs

●    Employment offer which includes job description, job title, salary, etc.

●    LMIA certificate

●    Proof of funds

●    Educational credentials documents

●    Medical test report

●    Proof of relevant work experience

Step 3 Apply Online

After gathering all the necessary documents, create an online account with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) and complete the application form IMM 1295. Submit all the documents with the application form.

Step 4 Submit Fee

Alongside the application form, submit the necessary fee as:

 Step 5 Track Application

Applicants can track their application through IRCC online account. If received a positive response, applicants will receive a port of entry letter or the work permit itself.

Step 6 Move to Canada

Once received a port of entry letter or the work permit itself, present these documents to the border services officer.

These 6 easy steps can lead to obtaining a Canada work permit in a short span.

Processing time for the Canada work permit

The processing time for a Canada work permit applying from India requires at least 6 to 28 weeks approximately up to 4 months. However, the time taken depends on the type of work permit applied and the number of applications submitted.

Province immigration, one of the best immigration consultants in India, we offer expert assistance through the Canadian Work Permit application process. Our dedicated case managers and consultant team provide assistance and support even after you land in Canada for employment. Still worried about facing rejections for work permits or confused about the process, contact Province Immigration for a hassle-free journey.