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Canada Work Permit Processing Time

Current IRCC processing times for Canadian work permit applications by country of residence.

Overview

Canadian work permits allow foreign nationals to work legally in Canada. Processing times vary significantly depending on your country of residence, the type of work permit, and whether an LMIA is required. IRCC's service standard is approximately 60 days for applications from outside Canada and 120 days for applications from inside Canada.

LMIA-based Work Permit

Employer-specific permit requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Most common for Temporary Foreign Workers.

Open Work Permit

Not employer-specific. Available to spouses of skilled workers/students, PGWP holders, and certain other categories.

LMIA-exempt Work Permit

Under International Mobility Program (IMP). Includes intra-company transfers, CETA professionals, and CUSMA workers.

Priority Processing Available

IRCC offers priority processing for work permit applications in certain healthcare occupations (NOC 31100 — Physicians, NOC 31101 — Specialist Physicians, NOC 31102 — General Practitioners and Family Physicians) and for applications supported by a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) support letter.

Processing Times by Country

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Processing times are estimates from IRCC and may change. They represent the time from application submission to final decision for most cases.

Tips to Avoid Processing Delays

Apply online for faster processing - paper applications take significantly longer

Ensure your LMIA (if required) is valid and matches your application details exactly

Submit a complete application - missing documents are the most common cause of delays

Get your medical exam done early if required for your occupation or country

Consider LMIA-exempt streams (intra-company transfer, CETA, CUSMA) for potentially faster processing

Check Your Application Status

You can check the status of your application using the IRCC online tools:

Check Status on IRCC

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Canadian work permit take to process?
Processing times vary by country, typically ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months. Applications from visa-exempt countries are generally faster. Check the country table on this page for current estimates.
Does an LMIA speed up work permit processing?
Having an approved LMIA does not directly speed up the work permit application, but it is a prerequisite for LMIA-based permits. The LMIA itself takes 1-5 months to process before you can apply for the work permit.
Can I work in Canada while my work permit is being processed?
Generally no. You cannot work until you receive your work permit. However, if you are extending an existing work permit, you may be eligible for maintained status, allowing you to continue working while the extension is processed.
What is the fastest way to get a Canadian work permit?
LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP) are often processed faster. Intra-company transfers and CETA professional permits may be processed in weeks rather than months.
Is priority processing available for work permits?
IRCC offers priority processing for work permit applications in certain healthcare occupations (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102) and for applications supported by a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) support letter.

Related Resources

Work Permits Guide

Types, eligibility, and application process

Find LMIA Jobs

Browse current LMIA-approved job listings

LMIA Employers

Employers with approved LMIAs

Other Processing Times

Study PermitVisitor VisaPermanent ResidenceFamily SponsorshipProvincial NomineeSuper VisaCitizenshipExpress Entry