Canada has all kinds of work permit based on your occupation and your purpose for entering the country.

Here are the types of work permits Canada has to offer:

• Work Permit – is issued to applicants who have found an employer, signed the contract and received an invitation.  

• Open Work Permit – is a work permit that is not job-specific. It gives you freedom and allows you to work in any occupation and location. It does not require a preliminary search for an employer. It is issued to family members of a foreign specialist working under a valid permit.

• Bridging Open Work Permit – this is a transitional (temporary) work permit that was created as a way to keep workers in Canada working while their applications for permanent residency are processed. These employees were held a work permit before, but it got expired. 

• The Post-Graduation Work Permit – allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. It does not require an employment contract with the employer.

• NAFTA –  is created only for Mexican and US citizens. Applicants from these countries do not need to submit documents in advance, they receive a work permit right at the border.

• Intra – Company Transfer – is created for qualified employees who are being transferred temporary to Canada from running companies from outside Canada.

In most cases, you will need to obtain a Work Permit in order to travel and officially work in Canada.