Route comparison
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Baseline rows come from published route metadata. Optional fields appear only where ReloTide has source-backed structured enrichment.
| Field | 🇨🇦CanadaCanada Employer-Specific Work Permit: LMIA and LMIA-Exempt Routes in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada (CA) |
| Route | Canada Employer-Specific Work Permit: LMIA and LMIA-Exempt Routes in 2026 |
| Route family | Employment / skilled work |
| Route type | work |
| Summary | Guide to employer-specific Canadian work permits, LMIA-required and LMIA-exempt cases, employer steps, open-permit limits and Global Skills Strategy processing. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-18 |
| Official/supporting source count | 4 |
| Route guide | Open full guide → |
| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3Source 4 |
| Best-fit work models | Local employmentSource 1Source 2Source 3Source 4 |
| Income requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Savings requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Investment requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Government fees | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Processing time | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Validity | The permit is valid until the expiry date and subject to its written employer, location, occupation and other conditions; there is no single validity period for all employer-specific permits.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Renewal | A worker may apply to extend a work permit from inside Canada when eligible. Submit before expiry to maintain the applicable status/work authorization rules; approval and conditions are case-specific.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Family inclusion | Eligible spouses, partners and dependent children may seek their own temporary status. Family members' work or study authorization is a separate application and eligibility is not automatic from the principal permit.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Spouse work rights | A spouse or partner does not automatically receive work authorization. They may apply for an open work permit only if they meet current family-member eligibility rules; otherwise they need another work authorization or status.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Local-work rules | An employer-specific work permit authorizes work only under the employer, location, occupation and conditions printed on the permit. The employer must provide a valid offer and determine whether an LMIA is required or an exemption applies; without required authorization, the worker cannot legally work.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Application location | The Canadian employer first completes the required LMIA or LMIA-exempt steps and supplies the offer/supporting documents. The worker applies using the instructions for their location (outside Canada, inside Canada, or eligible port of entry) and must meet general work-permit requirements.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Permanent-residence pathway | An employer-specific work permit is temporary and does not itself grant permanent residence. A worker may separately qualify under an economic or other PR program; eligibility and selection are independent.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Citizenship pathway | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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