1) Work permit vs. work visa: what’s the difference?

Awork permitis what authorizes you towork in Canada. Avisa(often a Temporary Resident Visa, TRV) is what authorizes you totravel to Canadaif your nationality requires it. People casually say “Canada work visa,” but the practical goal is usually thework permit.

In many cases, your approval package may include travel authorization (or you might need to obtain it separately). The key point:the permit governs work. The visa/eTA governs entry.

2) Types of Canadian work permits (choose the correct lane)

There are two main categories that matter for most applicants:

Open work permit (OWP)

Anopen work permitis not tied to a single employer. That flexibility is the big advantage. It’s typically available only in specific situations (for example, certain international graduates, spouses/partners of eligible workers or students, and other defined groups).

Employer-specific (closed) work permit

Anemployer-specific work permitties you to a particular employer and often to a specific role and location. This path usually requires a job offer and, in many cases, additional employer-side steps.

3) Eligibility checklist (before you spend time on forms)

Requirements vary by permit type, but most applicants will need to show a clean, consistent story across identity, travel history, and work plans. In practice, you want to confirm you can meet the following baseline items:

• Valid passportwith enough validity for the period you’re requesting.
• Proof you’ll leave Canadawhen your authorized stay ends (or clear pathway if extending).
• Proof of funds(ability to support yourself and any accompanying family members).
• No inadmissibility issues(criminality, security, misrepresentation, etc.).
• Job offer / employer detailsif applying for an employer-specific work permit.
• Meets category-specific rulesif applying for an open work permit (spouse status, graduate status, etc.).

If you’re unsure which category applies to you, use the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) eligibility tools and guidance:Work in Canada (IRCC).

4) Documents you’ll likely need (and how to avoid “document mismatch” issues)

Document lists can change depending on your country of residence, your biometrics status, and your work permit category. Still, most applicants should prepare the following in a neat, consistent set:

Core identity and travel documents