Ontario Immigration - Work Permits

WORK PERMITS

This section explains how and when to obtain a work permit. It outlines special provisions for certain fields – such as information technology, tool and die machinists, construction, and seasonal agricultural work. It also has information for international students who want to work.

If you want to work in Canada for a limited period of time, in most cases, you must have a valid work permit issued by the Canadian government.

About Work Permits

The rules for working temporarily (for a specific length of time) in Canada:

The conditions you must follow to receive and keep a work permit

What an employer needs to do to offer a work permit to an individual

What the Canadian government considers when deciding whether to issue a work permit

Canadian Visa Offices around the world

Getting a Temporary Work Permit

Temporary work permit application forms

Exemption categories for work permits:

How to change the conditions of your work permit or extend your stay in Canada as a temporary worker

Temporary Worker Programs in Ontario

Seasonal agricultural work

Temporary work in the construction industry

Federal Live–in Caregiver Program

Work Permits for International Students

International students who wish to study in Ontario must come with enough money to live and pay bills while studying.

In some situations, students are able to work while studying and after graduating.

If you plan on working temporarily in Ontario after you graduate, you will need a work permit.

Work opportunities for international students

Working temporarily in Canada

A collection of resources about studying in Canada

StudyinOntario.com

Working Permanently in Ontario

Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program (Opportunities Ontario) is an avenue that may allow you to live and work in Ontario permanently. Opportunities Ontario allows Ontario to nominate people for permanent resident status, and have their application fast-tracked by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). CIC will still perform important functions such as security and health checks on applicants. To learn more about Opportunities Ontario, please click here.