Work Visa Lawyers

Want to work in Canada, keep your job while your permit runs out, or hire someone from abroad? A work permit lawyer can tell you which permit fits your situation, prepare a complete application and step in if something goes wrong. Many people search for a "work visa", but in Canada the document that lets you work is called a work permit. On this page you can compare lawyers who handle work permits, see their rates and availability, and book a consultation online.

What a work permit lawyer does

A lawyer in this area advises foreign workers, students, their families and the employers who hire them. Depending on your file, a lawyer can:

• Find the right route: check whether you need an employer-specific or an open work permit, and whether your job requires a labour market assessment or falls under an exemption.
• Prepare the application: assemble consistent forms, a job offer and supporting documents so the officer has what they need.
• Handle extensions and changes: apply before your permit expires, change employers or move from studies to work.
• Respond to concerns: answer a request for information or a procedural fairness letter.
• Deal with a refusal: explain why it happened and whether to reapply or challenge the decision.
• Advise employers: guide businesses through hiring foreign workers and meeting their obligations afterwards.

Work permits are one part of immigration law. For permanent residence, sponsorship, citizenship or refugee claims, see our page on immigration lawyers.

Employer-specific or open work permit

An employer-specific work permit lets you work for one named employer, usually in one job and one location. To change employers, you generally need a new permit first. Most of these permits depend on a job offer that has been approved through a labour market assessment or that qualifies for an exemption.

An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer. It is only available in specific situations, for example to certain graduates, to some spouses and partners of workers or students, or to people in particular programs.

The LMIA and Quebec's joint process

For many jobs, the employer must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada. It shows that hiring a foreign worker is justified and that no Canadian or permanent resident is available for the job. Once the LMIA is approved, the worker can apply for the work permit.

Quebec adds its own step. When the job is in Quebec, the employer generally goes through a joint LMIA process with the federal government and Quebec's Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI), and the worker usually also needs a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for work, unless an exemption applies. The Quebec government's temporary workers page explains the provincial side.

LMIA-exempt work permits

Some work permits do not require an LMIA because the work brings a broader benefit to Canada or is covered by an agreement. Common examples include intra-company transfers of managers, executives and specialized employees, professionals and traders covered by free trade agreements, and certain exchange or reciprocal programs. Each category has its own conditions, and the employer usually still has to submit the job offer and meet obligations before the worker applies.

Graduates and spouses

International students who complete an eligible program at a designated school may be able to get a post-graduation work permit, an open permit that lets them gain Canadian work experience. Eligibility depends on the program, the school and the timing of the application, and the rules change often.

Some spouses and common-law partners of workers or students can apply for a spousal open work permit. Only certain categories qualify, based mainly on the type of work or studies of the principal applicant, so it is worth checking before you plan around it.

Extensions and maintained status

If you want to keep working, apply to extend or change your permit before it expires. When you apply in time, you can generally stay in Canada under what is called maintained status while the application is processed, and in many cases keep working under the same conditions. If your permit has already expired, the options are narrower and strict deadlines apply, so get advice quickly.

Refusals

Refusals often come from avoidable problems: missing documents, a job offer that does not match the worker's experience, or doubts that the person will leave at the end of their stay. A lawyer can review the refusal and the officer's notes, then advise whether to reapply with a stronger file or ask the Federal Court to review the decision. The deadline to seek review is short, so do not wait.

Advice for employers

Hiring a foreign worker creates ongoing obligations. Employers must respect the conditions set out in the job offer and the LMIA, such as the job duties, wages and working conditions, and keep records that show it. The government can inspect employers, and failing to comply can lead to penalties or a ban on hiring foreign workers. A lawyer can help an employer plan hiring and prepare for compliance reviews.

When to get a lawyer

• Your permit expires soon and you are unsure whether you can extend it.
• You want to change employers or move from studies to work.
• Your application was refused or you received a procedural fairness letter.
• You are an employer hiring a foreign worker for the first time, or facing an inspection.
• Your situation involves Quebec's CAQ as well as a federal permit.

For official information, see IRCC's work permit page.

Preparing for your consultation

• Your passport, current permit and any past permits or visas.
• Your job offer, employment contract or LMIA and CAQ documents if you have them.
• Your diplomas, résumé and proof of work experience.
• Any letter, refusal or request you received from IRCC or Quebec.
• Your questions about timing, your family and your long-term plans.

For tips on picking the right person, read our guide on how to choose a lawyer in Quebec.

Compare and book on JustiConnect

Browse the lawyers listed below, filter by location, rates, language and availability, and book a consultation directly. Each lawyer sets their own rates and you can see them before you book. You can also search all work permit lawyers or see work permit lawyers in Montreal.

Frequently asked questions

Is a work visa the same as a work permit?

In everyday language, yes. In Canada, the work permit is the document that authorizes you to work. Depending on your country, you may also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization to enter.

Can I change employers on a work permit?

With an open work permit, generally yes. With an employer-specific permit, you usually need a new permit, and possibly a new LMIA, before you start working for the new employer.

Do I need a CAQ to work in Quebec?

Many temporary workers in Quebec need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate in addition to the federal permit, but several categories are exempt. A lawyer can confirm whether it applies to your job.

What happens if my permit expires while I wait for an extension?

If you applied before it expired, you generally keep your status while the application is processed. If you did not, speak with a lawyer right away about restoring your status.