Work Permit Processing Time Canada: 2 Weeks to 6 Months by Type

There is no single Canadian work permit processing time, and any site that gives you one number is averaging things that should not be averaged. Unlike permanent residence, where IRCC publishes one figure per program, work permit times are quoted per permit type and per country of application, and IRCC updates them weekly rather than monthly. A Global Talent Stream permit and an outside-Canada employer-specific permit can differ by five months.

The ranges below are ours, drawn from IRCC's published figures and from what we see across our own files. Because the country-specific numbers move weekly, check your exact combination on IRCC's processing-times tool before you rely on any figure, including ours: choose your permit type, then your country of application. LMIA-based employer-specific work permits generally take 2 to 6 months. Open work permits, including spousal open work permits and post-graduation permits, generally run 3 to 5 months. LMIA-exempt permits under international agreements such as CUSMA or CETA are usually the fastest, often 2 to 8 weeks.

Processing begins after you've submitted a complete application, and for LMIA-based permits, after your employer has received a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment. The LMIA process itself takes an additional 2-4 months and must be completed before you can apply for your work permit, so factor this into your timeline. Inside Canada applications for work permit extensions typically process faster than outside Canada applications.

Global Talent Stream work permits have expedited processing of approximately 2 weeks for qualifying positions in high-demand occupations. This stream requires employer participation and meeting specific criteria. International Experience Canada (IEC) work permits for eligible youth from partner countries have varying processing times, typically 4-12 weeks depending on the applicant's country and time of year.