Work Permit Verified 2026-04-13Canada Work Permit — Informational
Canada Work Permit — informational guide for Indian applicants. SureshotVisa does NOT handle work permit procurement; this page is for information purposes only.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Canada visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
⚠️ IMPORTANT — SureshotVisa / Pro Lifeset Overseas does NOT help find work permits or Canadian employment. This page is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Canada Work Permits are issued by IRCC based on a job offer from a Canadian employer (and LMIA in most cases). For other Canada visa types we CAN help with — Tourist, Business Visitor, Family Visit, Study Permit — please see the related links.
Processing
Varies — depends on LMIA processing + IRCC work permit processing
Stay Duration
Varies by permit type — typically 1-3 years, renewable
Starting Fee
CAD $155
Apply At
10 VFS centres
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Canada visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in Canada.
- 2Biometrics (fingerprints + digital photo) are required for most applicants — valid for 10 years.
- 3Do NOT submit your passport to VAC until you receive the Passport Request Letter from IRCC.
- 4Effective Feb 24, 2026: Biometric appointments require you to upload the BIL via the new AMS system.
- 5Effective Oct 9, 2023: Only the applicant, parents (for minors), or 1 appointed family member can submit passports at VAC — not unauthorized third parties.
- 6Not accepted as identity documents: passports from Somalia, non-machine-readable Czech passports, temporary South African passports, provisional Venezuelan passports.
- 7VFS online tracking shows passport LOCATION only. For application processing status, check your IRCC online account directly.
Who Can Apply
- Applicants with a confirmed Canadian job offer + LMIA (employer-specific permit)
- Spouses of work permit holders (open work permit)
- Post-graduate students from Canadian DLIs (PGWP)
- Applicants under International Mobility Program categories (various open permits)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Applicants without a job offer (for employer-specific work permits)
- Applicants not meeting specific program eligibility
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Canada / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Work Permit application fee | CAD $155 |
| Biometrics fee — individual | CAD $85 |
| VFS service charge — per package | ₹603 |
| Two-Way Courier Service | ₹1,716 |
| Premium Lounge service | ₹4,767 |
| SMS Tracking Service | ₹179 |
All IRCC government fees are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) and paid directly to IRCC online. VFS service charges are paid in INR at the VAC. Fees are subject to change — verify on IRCC (canada.ca/immigration) and VFS Global (vfsglobal.com/ind/en/can) before applying. Third-party costs (medical exam, police clearance, translation) may also apply. Additional LMIA fee (CAD $1,000) is paid by the Canadian employer, not the applicant.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Informational — What applicants typically need
7 items- Job offer letter from Canadian employerRequired
Must include job title, salary, duration, location
- LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
Required for most employer-specific work permits — obtained by the Canadian employer, not the applicant
- Educational credentials and work experience proofRequired
Relevant to the job offered
- Valid passport + photographsRequired
- BiometricsRequired
- Medical exam (in certain job categories)
- Police clearance certificate
May be required
Types of Work Permits
3 items- Employer-specific Work Permit
Tied to one specific employer, job, and location. Requires LMIA in most cases.
- Open Work Permit
Not tied to a specific employer. Typically available to spouses of skilled workers, PGWP holders, and certain IMP categories.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
For graduates of Canadian DLIs. Typically 1-3 years based on program length.
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
6 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Secure a job offer from a Canadian employer
The employer initiates the process — most employer-specific work permits require an LMIA from Service Canada.
- 02
Employer obtains LMIA (if required)
The Canadian employer applies for a positive LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Not required for LMIA-exempt categories.
- 03
Applicant submits Work Permit application online
Via IRCC Portal with job offer + LMIA copy + supporting documents. Pay CAD $155 application fee + CAD $85 biometrics fee.
- 04
Biometrics at VAC
Book via AMS, attend VAC, complete biometrics.
- 05
Wait for decision
IRCC processes the Work Permit application.
- 06
Collect passport + receive Work Permit at port of entry
If approved, the actual Work Permit is issued when you arrive at a Canadian port of entry.
What works
5 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Work Permits require a Canadian job offer — SureshotVisa does NOT help with job search or employer introductions.
- Most employer-specific work permits need an LMIA — this is the employer's responsibility, not yours.
- If you've graduated from a Canadian DLI, you may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — this path does NOT require an LMIA.
- Spouses of skilled workers can often get an Open Work Permit — useful for family reunification.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Missing or invalid LMIA for employer-specific permits
- 2Job offer doesn't match a valid NOC (National Occupation Classification) code
- 3Educational credentials don't meet the job requirements
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for Canada
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Visitor Visa Application Form (IMM 5257)
Download latest version from IRCC. Required for all visitor/tourist visa applications.
Family Information Form (IMM 5645)
Mandatory for all applicants 18 years and older. Lists all family members.
Use of Representative Form (IMM 5476)
Only if using a representative to submit your application.
Authority to Release Information (IMM 5475)
Optional — authorizes someone else to receive updates about your application.
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Canada Work Permit — Informational is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
No. We do NOT help with job search, employer introductions, or Work Permit procurement. Canadian Work Permits require a job offer from a Canadian employer — this is the employer's responsibility to initiate. This page is informational only.
LMIA = Labour Market Impact Assessment. It's a document the Canadian employer obtains from ESDC showing that no Canadian worker is available for the job. Required for most employer-specific work permits. The employer pays for it (CAD $1,000).
Employer-specific: tied to one employer, job, and location (LMIA usually required). Open Work Permit: not tied to any specific employer — can work for anyone. Open permits are restricted to specific categories like spouses of skilled workers, PGWP holders, and certain IMP programs.
Employer-specific: No. Open Work Permit: Only if you fall into eligible categories (e.g., PGWP after graduating from a Canadian DLI, or spouse of a skilled worker). Most applicants need a Canadian job offer first.
We can help with: Tourist Visa (TRV), Business Visitor Visa, Family Visit Visa, Spousal Visit Visa, Compassionate Visit, Seafarer Visa, Study Permit, and Permanent Resident Travel Document. See the complete list of Canada visa guides above.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Canada visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other Canada Visa Types
Canada Tourist Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa (TRV) from India. Complete guide on IRCC fees, documents, biometrics, application process through VFS Global, and 10 VAC centres across India.
View guideCanada Business Visitor Visa (TRV)
Canada Business Visitor Visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, conferences, and business events in Canada. Stay less than 6 months. Not entering the Canadian labor market.
View guideCanada Study Permit
Canada Study Permit for Indian students enrolling at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Complete guide on IRCC fees, documents, PAL requirements, and 2026 updates.
View guideCanada Family Visit Visa (TRV)
Canada Family Visit Visa for Indian citizens visiting family who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents, or persons registered under the Indian Act. Up to 6 months.
View guideCanada Spousal Visit Visa (TRV — Spouse of PR Sponsor)
Canada Spousal Visit Visa for Indian spouses whose Canadian partner has sponsored them for Permanent Residence. Faster processing available while PR application is in progress.
View guideCanada Compassionate Visit Visa (TRV — Urgent Family)
Canada Compassionate Visit Visa for urgent visits due to critical illness, death, or other humanitarian reasons. Priority processing available with strong supporting evidence.
View guideCanada Seafarer / Marine Crew Visa (TRV)
Canada Seafarer / Marine Crew Visa for Indian seafarers joining a vessel as crew in Canadian ports. Temporary Resident Visa for duration of contract.
View guideCanada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — For Visa-Exempt Nationals
Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — important information for Indian citizens. Most Indians need a Tourist Visa (TRV), NOT an eTA. eTA is for visa-exempt nationals.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Canada website and Embassy of Canada. Last verified 2026-04-13. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.