How to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa: Official Steps

Applying for a Canadian work visa—officially called a work permit—requires you to meet general eligibility and admissibility requirements, gather specific documents, and submit a complete application through an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) secure account. The exact process and fees depend on your situation, but the core steps are consistent. This page sets out what the official guidance requires and what you must verify on the IRCC website before you apply.

General eligibility requirements for a work permit

Before you apply, you must satisfy the general eligibility and admissibility requirements that IRCC applies to all work permit applicants. These are not optional; an officer will assess them as part of your application.

You must:

• obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (IRCC may ask you to provide a police clearance certificate)
• not be a danger to Canada’s security
• be in good health and get a medical exam if required
• not plan to work for an employer listed as “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions
• not plan to work for an employer that offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages on a regular basis
• prove that you have enough money to pay for living expenses for you and the family members who came with you to Canada, and for transportation to return home for you and your family members
• prove to an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay

These requirements apply whether you are applying from inside or outside Canada. If you are applying from within Canada and your current status expires while your application is being processed, you are considered to have maintained your status. Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while IRCC processes the application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document.

How to apply: step by step

The application process for a work permit is completed online through an IRCC secure account. The steps below follow the official guidance for applying from within Canada, but the same account and document requirements generally apply to applicants outside Canada.

Step 1: Sign in or create an IRCC secure account

You need an IRCC secure account to start your application. Sign in if you already have one, or create one. If you cannot apply online because of a disability that prevents you from applying online, or because of a problem with the online application system, you can contact the IRCC Client Support Centre and choose the option “get urgent help in a crisis, emergency, or vulnerable situation.”

Step 2: Gather and upload your forms and documents

All applicants need to include:

• the application form to extend your worker status (if applying from within Canada)
• a copy of your passport or travel document, uploaded in the “Supporting Documents” section under “Passport”

If you are applying for a work permit extension from within Canada, you must also check the expiry date on your passport. IRCC cannot issue a work permit past the expiry date listed on your passport. If your passport will expire within the period you are applying for, you should renew it before you apply.

Step 3: Pay the application fees

IRCC asks you to pay your fees at the end of your application. You will need a valid credit or debit card. The fees depend on the type of application and whether you need to give biometrics.

Type of fee	Amount	Who needs to pay this fee
Work permit processing	$155	All applicants
Open work permit fee	$100	Open work permit applicants only
Biometrics fee	Individual: $85; Family: up to $170 (if eligible)	Applicants who need to give biometrics

Check whether you need to give biometrics before you pay. The biometrics fee is separate from the work permit processing fee.

Step 4: Submit a complete application

Make sure you submit a complete application in your IRCC secure account. Your application may be refused if you are missing documents or other required information. If you need help, have questions, or need to update your contact information, you can send a web form and include “Iran2023” in the text box—though this reference is specific to the Iran special measures and may not apply to your situation.

Special measures for Iranian nationals in Canada

As of March 1, 2026, special measures for Iranian nationals in Canada have changed. Temporary measures have been extended until March 31, 2027, for Iranian work permit holders in Canada only. No other temporary measures are in place for Iranian applicants.

Iranian nationals working in Canada may be eligible to extend their work permit under these measures if all of the following apply:

• You are an Iranian national with a valid passport.
• You are in Canada with a valid work permit when you apply for your work permit extension, and a decision is made on your application.
• Your valid work permit was issued no later than February 28, 2025.
• You have not already been issued a work permit under the March 1, 2026, special measures to extend work permits. If you were already issued a work permit extension, you cannot get a second one.
• You meet the general eligibility and admissibility requirements for a work permit.

The deadline to submit your application under these measures is March 31, 2027. If you meet all the requirements, you can apply for a work permit extension that could be valid for up to 2 years.

Iranian nationals in Canada who hold a visitor record or study permit can no longer apply for a different type of permit under special measures. You can apply to extend your current temporary resident status in Canada through the regular process.

What to check on the official IRCC page

The information above reflects the official IRCC guidance as retrieved in September 2026. Before you apply, verify the following on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website:

• The current application fees, which may change.
• Whether you need to give biometrics and the associated fee.
• The specific document checklist for your situation (e.g., whether you are applying from inside or outside Canada, or under a special measure).
• Whether any special measures apply to your nationality or situation.
• The current processing times, which are not published in the official guidance and must be checked directly.

If you are applying from outside Canada, the process may differ in some respects—for example, you may need to apply at a visa application centre or provide additional documents. The IRCC website is the authoritative source for your specific circumstances.

Next steps

Start by confirming your eligibility against the general requirements listed above. Then create or sign in to your IRCC secure account, gather your documents, and pay the applicable fees. A complete application is essential; missing documents can lead to refusal. If you are unsure about any requirement, consult the official IRCC pages rather than relying on third-party summaries.