---
title: Working in Canada - Temporarily or Permanently | My Visa Source
description: Want to work in Canada on a temporaray basis or work while moving to Permanent Residency? We'll show you the options for both in this content. Click here.
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---
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- Working in Canada - Temporarily or Permanently
# Working in Canada: Temporarily or Permanently
As a foreign national, if you want to work in Canada, you will require proper authorization from the government body called Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This authorization comes in the form of a temporary work permit for a temporary foreign worker.
If you want to work and permanently stay in Canada, then you must transition to [permanent residency](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/permanent-residence/) through 1 of more than 60 available [Canada Immigration](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/) programs at the federal, provincial and territorial levels.
There are 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada:
1. Alberta
2. British Columbia
3. Manitoba
4. New Brunswick
5. Newfoundland and Labrador
6. Northwest Territories
7. Nova Scotia
8. Nunavut
9. Ontario
10. Prince Edward Island
11. Quebec
12. Saskatchewan
13. Yukon
Certain requirements must be met such as having a prearranged employment offer from a designated employer. The employer must also apply for a positive [Labour Market Impact Assessment](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/labour-market-impact-assessment/) (LMIA) from the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
The ESDC determines from the LMIA if there is an actual need to hire a foreign worker, which is called a positive LMIA.
Several permits authorize work for certain occupations such as live in-caregivers, business owners or agricultural workers.
[Back to My Visa Source’s Immigration Resource Topics](https://www.myvisasource.com/resources/)
## **How to Work in Canada on a Temporary Basis**
[Temporary work permits](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/temporary-residence/work-permits/) are issued for a certain period of time. A temporary work permit also sets conditions for specific employers, location of the job, etc.
To apply for a temporary work permit, you must have a valid job offer from a designated employer and a positive LMIA. If you want to work in Quebec, then you must attain additional approval from the Quebec government.
There are also [open work permits](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/temporary-residence/open-work-permits/) where you can work for any employer anywhere across Canada with a few exceptions of types of employers that don’t require a LMIA.
There are [LMIA exempt work permits](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/temporary-residence/work-permits/lmia-exempt/) that occur with certain occupations that fall under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), certain occupations that benefit the specific regions within Canada and certain occupations that the federal and provincial governments have marked to be beneficial or in demand.
[Intra-Company Transfers](https://www.myvisasource.com/business-plans/intra-company-transfer/), this program is for international companies who have a Canadian location or want to establish one and would like to transfer qualified employees (called transferees) for temporary work.
With a [Post-Graduation Work Permit](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/temporary-residence/open-work-permits/post-graduate/) (PGWP) international students can work, however, there are different lengths of the PGWP available from 8 months up to as long as 3 years.
[Spouses and family of international students](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/temporary-residence/study-permits/spouse-family-international-students/) is for students on a study permit and in this case, the student's spouse who apply for a spousal open work permit.
The [Inland Spousal Sponsorship Open Work Permit](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/temporary-residence/open-work-permits/inland-spousal-sponsorship/) is for the spouse of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must have a valid temporary residence visa and an application for permanent residency under process to be eligible to apply.
You can also apply for temporary work permits while you are living in Canada. You must be 1 of the following:
- Have a valid study or work permit
- You are an accompanying spouse or common-law partner of a foreign national on a work or [study permit](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/temporary-residence/study-permits/)
- You have a [temporary residence](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/temporary-residence/) visa that is valid for 6 months
- Your permanent residence application is being processed
- You are a refugee claimant
- You have been recognized as a person in need of protection
- You are working in an occupation exempt from a work permit requirement but you need to change your job
Check Out the 5 Investment Options for Business Immigration.
[Learn More](https://www.myvisasource.com/pricing-options/business-immigration/)
## **How to Work in Canada on a Long-Term Basis**
If you want to work in Canada permanently or for as long as you want without renewing work permits, you can obtain permanent residency or attain [Canadian citizenship](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/citizenship/).
Foreign workers who have gained work experience in Canada can increase their chances of gaining permanent residency through the several immigration streams available.
Foreign workers can apply for permanent resident status through the following programs:
- [Express Entry](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/permanent-residence/express-entry/)
- [Canadian Experience Class](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/permanent-residence/canadian-experienced-class/) (CEC)
- [Federal Skilled Worker Program](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/permanent-residence/federal-skilled-worker-permits/) (FSWP)
- [Federal Skilled Trades Program](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/permanent-residence/federal-skilled-trades-program/) (FSTP)
- [Provincial Nominee Program](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/provincial-nominee-program/) (PNP)
- [Quebec Immigration](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/quebec-immigration/)
- [Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/atlantic-pilot-program/)
- [Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/rural-northern-immigration-pilot/)
- [Agri-Food Immigration Pilot](https://www.myvisasource.com/canadian-immigration/agri-food-immigration-pilot/)
## **Questions About Immigration? My Visa Source Has Answers.**
We hope that you found this resource topic informative, interesting and useful.
**My Visa Source** stays updated on all immigration news and announcements across Canada and the United States, including sudden changes in government law.
Our legal solutions help individuals, families, businesses and investors from North America and around the globe.
Partnering with an experienced immigration lawyer can greatly increase the likelihood of achieving your specific immigration or visa goals.
Immigration is a complex process that requires strong legal strategy, precise submission of legal documents and perfect attention to detail, reducing the risk of wasted time, money or permanent rejection.
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## See What Our Clients Are Experiencing
**My Visa Source** made the process of my partner’s PR a breeze. We did run into an issue in the beginning as my partner initially started his PR progress with the intent of going through his work to get his PR. There were some difficulties that ended up leading us into doing his **PR through common-law sponsorship**, which ended up being a blessing in disguise as we were appointed a new Lawyer & team.
Harley Jensen was very much on top of everything from quick replies to our emails and if we ran into any difficulties she would always set up a phone call to ease us through the process. There was another lovely lawyer by the name Natasha who was also helping us through some difficulties.
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Sharing my experience with **MVS**. This firm has truly reliable and dependable professionals, no wonder it has won so many awards and accolades. After my initial spouse work permit rejection, I approached MVS and I was assured they’d handle my case sensitively. Bara was very calm and informative, he initiated my process. My wife’s permit case was assigned to Sharon and Marc. ‘Sharon’ is very knowledgeable and precise, she was always reachable and was prompt on her responses during the process. Her follow ups on every step was phenomenal. Such a gem! I blindly recommend her.
Marc on the other hand was the heart of the process, shout out to him as well..
All my stress was washed out as every actions performed by them was promising. I was optimistic and finally **received the permits, now I can reunite with my family in coming days.**
Couldn’t praise enough. Wish you best to unite and bring happiness to more families like ours.
I wish to personally meet you all one day to thank for what you’ve done. You’ve changed my life.
5 out of 5 » Rating by: Vinayak B.
I've had a very bad experience with an immigration lawyer at another firm in the past, and I was very scare to experience that again. I found **My Visa Source** online and decided to give them a try because of their great reviews, and I don't regret it for a second!. Amazing experience, they really treated me like a human being and were very upfront and organized with all information.
Angel Pavlou is really an angel, very sweet and helpful, she help us a lot on our first stage of the process with the firm. She is an amazing human being!
Because we were **applying through common-in-law sponsorship**, my team was Harley and Natasha, an amazing team! We worked for about 4-5 month on the file to make sure everything needed was there. And even though they usually respond within 2-3 business days, by the last portion before submission, our emails were responded by the minute, which we really appreciate as it helped to speed up the process significantly.
Even though our contract with the firm ended with the submission of our application, they left the door open for further questions we may have about what's coming next with our application, which is a big support for us, and we really appreciate (as now we have a long road ahead before a final answer from IRCC comes).
Thanks Team! :)
5 out of 5 » Rating by: Kate T.
At first I was a bit wary because we had some challenges with **our spousal sponsorship case** and all correspondence was done over the phone or email, but now that my husband has been approved, I can say with confidence I would hire **My Visa ****Source** again for any immigration needs. My husband was not even asked for an interview in the end. This firm works many different nationalities and passport holders and there experience is vast.
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