More than 200,000 foreign workers come to Canada with Temporary Work Permits in a year. To work in Canada temporarily, foreign workers must have an Offer of employment from a Canadian employer and a positive confirmation letter (LMO) from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).  There are several steps to this process.

LMO > Job offer > Work Permit

Temporary Work Permit may be a stepping stone to Permanent Residency.  Once in Canada on a Temporary Work Permit, a foreign worker may qualify for Canadian immigration under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through a Skilled Worker category, or through one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

There are several ways to obtain a work permit in Canada:

1. Employer related Work Permit, which is supported by a LMO from HRSDC, and a job offer from an employer.
2. International students can usually work, under limited conditions, during their study.
3. Business owners starting a business, which is considered to be of significant economic, social or cultural benefit to Canada.
4. Spousal work permits. Spouses, and common law partners, of certain Work Permit and Study Permit can often obtain an open Work Permit, which is the same length of time granted to their partner.
5. Some religious workers, or workers for charities
6. Under NAFTA, there are certain professions to obtain work permits.
7. Part of reciprocal agreements between Canada, or its Provinces/Territories, and other countries that have entered into exchange programs relating to such things as youth and teacher exchanges.
8. Those making refugee claims.