LMIA Work Permit vs Open Work Permit
Understanding the key differences between employer-specific LMIA-backed work permits and the flexibility of open work permits: who qualifies, what each costs, and which supports your long-term goals in Canada.
LMIA-Based Work Permit
A closed work permit tied to a specific employer and position. The employer must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirming that no qualified Canadian worker was available for the role. Once the LMIA is approved, the foreign worker applies for the permit.
Open Work Permit
A work permit that allows the holder to work for almost any employer in Canada, change jobs freely, and work in any occupation. Open work permits are issued under specific categories rather than being tied to a job offer, including spousal/partner permits, post-graduation permits (PGWP), and permits for certain refugee claimants.
Side-by-Side Comparison
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Pros and Cons
LMIA-Based Work Permit
Advantages
- Widely available — almost any Canadian employer can pursue an LMIA
- Skilled work on the permit earns CRS points for Canadian work experience (job offer points ended March 25, 2025, and return on November 3, 2026 only for the 186 high-wage occupations IRCC lists)
- Can be used by workers who don't qualify for open work permit categories
- Renewable as long as the employment relationship continues
- Available for both high-wage and low-wage positions
- Strong pathway to permanent residence through Express Entry
Drawbacks
- The employer bears significant cost — LMIA fees are CAD $1,000 per position
- LMIA process takes 2–5 months and has no guaranteed approval
- You are tied to one employer — changing jobs requires a new LMIA and permit
- Employer must conduct recruitment efforts and document them for ESDC
- Some low-wage streams have restrictions on cap percentages in a workplace
- If laid off, you must stop working immediately (no grace period to find new employer)
Open Work Permit
Advantages
- Work for any employer in Canada — full flexibility to change jobs
- No LMIA required — simpler, faster application process
- Lower cost for applicants — no employer recruitment obligations
- PGWP validity matches study program length (up to 3 years)
- Spousal open work permit lets spouses of skilled workers or students work freely
- Ideal for building diverse Canadian work experience for PR purposes
Drawbacks
- Only available to specific categories — not all workers qualify
- Does not directly add CRS points (no job offer points)
- Spousal permit is dependent on the principal holder's status
- PGWP is one-time only — cannot be extended or renewed
- Some open permits have restrictions (employer-specific for certain vulnerable workers)
- Less useful as a PR pathway on its own without other qualifying factors
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for an open work permit in Canada?
The main open work permit categories are: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders who completed a full-time program at a designated learning institution; spouses or common-law partners of Express Entry candidates, international students, or certain skilled workers; refugee claimants and protected persons; and applicants under specific humanitarian programs. If you do not fall into one of these categories, you typically need an employer to obtain an LMIA.
How much does an LMIA cost, and who pays?
The LMIA application fee is CAD $1,000 per position, paid by the employer to ESDC. Employers must also cover costs related to advertising the job to Canadians before applying. It is illegal for an employer to charge these fees back to the foreign worker. On top of the LMIA, the worker pays the work permit application fee of CAD $155.
Can I switch employers on an LMIA work permit?
No — an LMIA work permit is employer-specific. If you want to change employers, your new employer would need to obtain their own LMIA, and you would need to apply for a new work permit. While waiting for the new permit, you cannot legally work for the new employer (unless you qualify for maintained status provisions in certain situations). This is one of the main advantages of pursuing an open work permit when eligible.
Does an LMIA job offer actually help with Express Entry?
Not through the LMIA itself. IRCC removed job offer points on March 25, 2025, including for LMIA-supported offers. From November 3, 2026, a job offer in one of the 186 high-wage occupations IRCC lists earns 50 to 100 CRS points, with or without an LMIA; other job offers still earn none. An LMIA-based work permit still helps indirectly: a year of skilled work in Canada on that permit earns CRS points for Canadian work experience and can qualify you for the Canadian Experience Class, and many provincial nominee streams require a job offer.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.