Employer-side requirements
- Eligible and compliant employer.
- Positive LMIA where required.
- Job offer and signed employment contract.
- Wage, duties and location consistent with the LMIA.
Closed Work Permit (LMIA-Based)
LMIA-Based Closed Work Permit Canada
Work for a Canadian employer with a clear LMIA-based plan.
An LMIA-based closed work permit is employer-specific and usually depends on a Canadian employer receiving a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment.
On This Page
- LMIA-based employer-specific work permits
- What a positive LMIA establishes
- Work permit conditions
- Employer and worker responsibilities
- Extending or changing the permit
- Eligibility and application requirements
- Closed work permit document checklist
- How the process works
- How Simmi Immigration can help
- Frequently asked questions
Overview
LMIA-based employer-specific work permits
An employer-specific or closed work permit authorizes work under the employer, occupation, location and other conditions printed on the permit. Many jobs require the employer to obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment before the worker applies.
The LMIA and work permit are separate decisions. A positive LMIA supports the job offer but does not guarantee that IRCC will approve the worker’s application.
What a positive LMIA establishes
Employment and Social Development Canada uses the LMIA process to assess whether there is a need for a temporary foreign worker and whether Canadians or permanent residents are available for the job.
The employer must follow the applicable recruitment, wage, business-legitimacy and program requirements. The worker then uses the LMIA documents, contract and job offer in the work permit application.
Work permit conditions
The issued permit identifies the authorized employer and may specify occupation, work location and validity period. The worker must comply with every condition.
Changing employers generally requires new authorization before work begins. Depending on the new job, the employer may need a new LMIA or another basis for an employer-specific permit.
Employer and worker responsibilities
The employer provides the positive LMIA and related employment documents. The worker must establish identity, qualifications, admissibility and eligibility to use the application route selected.
The job title, duties, wage, location and duration should match across the LMIA, offer letter, contract, forms and supporting explanations.
Extending or changing the permit
An extension may require a new or still-valid LMIA and updated employment documents. File before the current permit expires where maintained-status protection is needed.
Do not assume that an extension application authorizes work for a new employer. The existing permit conditions remain important until new authorization is issued.
Key information
Eligibility and application requirements
Eligibility, supporting evidence and practical considerations for this application.
Worker-side requirements
- Valid passport and application route.
- Education, experience and licensing for the role.
- Admissibility and medical examination where required.
- Complete forms and truthful immigration history.
Permit restrictions
- Named employer.
- Authorized occupation.
- Work location where specified.
- Expiry date and any medical or other conditions.
Common refusal concerns
- LMIA or job details do not match.
- Worker does not establish job qualifications.
- Missing employment or status documents.
- Inconsistent information or admissibility concerns.
Checklist
Closed work permit document checklist
The employer and worker documents must support the same position.
- Passport and immigration-status documents.
- Positive LMIA and LMIA file number.
- Job offer letter and employment contract.
- Resume and detailed past-employer references.
- Education, trade, licensing or certification records.
- Proof of experience and ability to perform the work.
- Family, medical and police documents where required.
- Quebec CAQ for applicable paid work in Quebec.
- Application forms and digital photograph.
- Explanations for refusals, status issues or inconsistencies.
Step by step
How the process works
- 1
Confirm the permit route
Determine whether the job needs an LMIA.
- 2
Complete the employer stage
Obtain the positive LMIA and finalize the offer.
- 3
Check worker qualifications
Match experience, education and licensing to the job.
- 4
Prepare the application
Align the LMIA, contract, forms and supporting records.
- 5
Submit and respond
Complete biometrics, medicals or document requests.
- 6
Follow permit conditions
Work only as authorized after approval.
Why us
What you get working with Simmi Immigration
A
Two-sided review
Check employer and worker evidence together.
B
Job consistency
Align duties, wage, location and duration across documents.
C
Qualification proof
Demonstrate that the worker can perform the approved role.
D
Status planning
Prepare extensions or employer changes before authorization ends.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
It is an employer-specific work permit that authorizes work under the employer and conditions listed on the document.
Most employer-specific jobs require one, but some work permits are LMIA-exempt. The correct category must be confirmed before applying.
No. IRCC separately assesses the worker’s eligibility, qualifications, admissibility and documents.
You generally need new authorization before working for another employer. The new employer may need an LMIA or an LMIA-exempt offer.
IRCC determines validity using the approved employment, passport validity and other applicable factors.
Possibly, if the employer and worker continue to meet the requirements. A new or valid LMIA may be required.
Eligibility depends on the principal worker’s occupation, permit validity and the family open-work-permit rules in effect when the spouse applies.
Next step
Have an LMIA-supported job offer?
Book a consultation to review your closed work permit application before it is filed.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Program rules change and individual circumstances matter. Confirm current IRCC requirements before applying.
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We confirm eligibility, flag the risks, and build the document plan before anything is filed.
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