Most foreign nationals work in Canada and need to hold a work visa, referred to as a work permit. In Canada, there are two types of work visas: one is an open work permit (Open Work Permit), and the other is a closed work permit (Employer-specific Work Permit or Closed Work Permit). An open work visa means that you can work for any employer or be self-employed, and you do not need to notify the Immigration Bureau if you change employers. However, a closed work permit can only perform a designated job for a designated employer, and additional procedures are required for changing employers, changing jobs or not working.
The vast majority of people cannot directly apply for a work permit. To apply for a work permit, one of the following conditions must be met:
• Hold a closed work permit with a Labor Market Impact Assessment LMIA
• Closed LMIA-exempt work permit exempt from LMIA, including religious people, internal transfers of multinational companies, visiting scholars, etc.
• Eligible open work permits, including graduate work permits and spouse work permits, etc.