The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
Canadian Immigration Insight: A Detailed Look at Nine Special Pathways for In-Canada Work Permit Applications

For foreign nationals wishing to work in Canada, work permit applications are typically processed outside the country before arrival. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently reiterated that nine special circumstances exist, allowing eligible individuals to submit work permit applications directly from within Canada. This policy offers significant convenience for specific groups already in the country. Applicants not meeting any of these nine conditions must apply online from abroad or, if eligible, at a port of entry.

Nine Special Scenarios for In-Canada Work Permit Applications

1. You have a valid study or work permit

Applicants must already possess a valid study or work permit issued by IRCC and be physically present in Canada. Crucially, the new work permit application must be submitted before the existing permit expires. IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before the current permit's expiry. For example, an employee on an employer-specific work permit who is terminated but secures a new job offer and applies for a new work permit 31 days before their worker status expires may still be considered under this category.

2. Your spouse, common-law partner, or parent has a valid study or work permit

If an applicant's spouse, common-law partner, or parent was permitted entry to Canada to study or work, and their permit has not yet expired, the applicant may apply for a work permit from within Canada, provided they meet all general work permit eligibility requirements. For instance, if a spouse just completed a four-year program at an Ontario university 10 days ago, and study permits are typically valid for the program length plus 90 days, their partner still has 80 days to apply for a work permit from within Canada.

3. Your study permit is valid and you qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

International students in Canada on a valid study permit, if eligible, have 180 days from the date their school issues final marks to apply for a PGWP. A PGWP is an open work permit, allowing work for almost any Canadian employer. Graduating from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) does not automatically grant PGWP eligibility; applicants must meet all specific criteria, including those related to their study program and physical location, and their study permit must be valid at the time of application.

4. You, your spouse, or parent has a temporary resident permit (TRP) with a validity of six or more months

A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) allows individuals otherwise inadmissible to Canada to enter temporarily for compelling reasons (e.g., business travel, visiting a seriously ill family member) if their entry doesn't pose a risk to Canadian society. To apply for a work permit from within Canada under this scenario, the TRP held by the applicant, their spouse, or parent must have a validity of at least six months.

5. You have submitted an application for permanent residence under specific classes and are awaiting a decision

Individuals who have applied for permanent residence and are awaiting a decision may be eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada. IRCC specifies this applies to those awaiting decisions on PR applications under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class, the overseas family class, or the TRP holder class. For example, a temporary foreign worker on an employer-specific work permit, living in Canada with their Canadian citizen spouse, who has submitted an inland sponsorship application and received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), may be eligible to apply for an open work permit if they can prove a genuine relationship and cohabitation.

6. You’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit, but require one for a different job

Certain individuals can work in Canada without a permit (e.g., foreign representatives, military personnel, performing artists, clergy; business visitors do not qualify). If such individuals wish to take on a different job that does require a work permit, they can apply from within Canada. Individuals on maintained status (who applied for a new permit before their old one expired) can also continue working under the conditions of their expired permit.

7. You are in Canada as a professional, intra-company transferee, trader, or investor under CUSMA

Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), eligible U.S. or Mexican citizens in these categories with a qualifying job offer can apply for work permits from within Canada. This includes professionals in one of 63 eligible professions, intra-company transferees (executives, managers, specialized knowledge workers), traders engaging in substantial trade, and investors making substantial investments.

8. You will or already have made a claim for refugee protection

Individuals present in Canada who have applied to IRCC for refugee protection (asylum) may be eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada. Applicants must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution or risk of torture, threat to life, or cruel and unusual treatment if they return to their home country, based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. Stateless individuals unable to return to their country of normal residence for similar reasons may also be eligible.

9. You are a Convention refugee or protected person

If the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) has determined an individual meets the criteria for a Convention refugee, or if they are deemed a protected person (including a positive decision on a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment - PRRA by IRCC), they may be eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada, provided all other criteria are met.

About "Maintained Status"

All temporary residents (visitors, workers, students) are expected to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay. However, "maintained status" allows individuals to legally remain in Canada beyond their permit's expiry if they have applied for a new permit (e.g., work permit extension) before the original one expires. During this period, they can continue to work or study under the conditions of their original permit until IRCC decides on their application. Crucially, leaving Canada while an application is pending results in the loss of maintained status.

How to Apply for a Work Permit from Within Canada

Applicants must meet the specific requirements for the work permit they are applying for. Most applications are submitted online through an IRCC secure account, unless an exemption applies (e.g., disability, online application issues, or applying for a study/work permit and a TRP simultaneously).

The application process generally involves:

  1. Reading the instruction guide thoroughly.
  2. Ensuring all eligibility requirements for the specific scenario are met.
  3. Meeting general work permit eligibility requirements: satisfying an officer of intent to leave Canada after employment, proving sufficient funds, being criminally and medically admissible, and not posing a security risk. Providing police certificates, biometrics, and/or undergoing a medical exam if requested by IRCC.
  4. Completing the appropriate forms as per the auto-generated document checklist.
  5. Providing primary and supporting documentation relevant to the unique situation.
  6. Paying applicable fees: work permit processing fee (CAD $155), open work permit holder fee (if applicable, CAD $100), and other fees like biometrics (CAD $85).
  7. Submitting the application and awaiting IRCC's decision.

Applicants should keep copies of all documents, filled forms, and payment receipts. The current processing time for work permit applications submitted from within Canada is approximately 233 days. A work permit will not be issued beyond the expiry date of the applicant's travel document (e.g., passport); therefore, checking passport validity and renewing it if needed before applying is essential.

阿尔伯塔省9月中旬举行三轮移民邀请 向科技、执法及普通工作者发出超1400份邀请函
Alberta Holds Three Immigration Draws in Mid-September, Issuing Over 1,400 Invitations to Tech, Law Enforcement, and General Workers
Between September 12 and 17, 2025, Alberta conducted three rounds of immigration invitations across different categories through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), issuing over 1,400 invitation letters to technology professionals, law enforcement workers, and candidates under the Alberta Opportunity Stream. This series of invitations demonstrates the province's targeted immigration strategy addressing specific labor market demands.
09/28/2025
加拿大人口增长创战后最低水平 移民政策调整加剧劳动力老龄化
Canada's Population Growth Hits Post-War Low as Immigration Policy Adjustments Accelerate Workforce Aging
Latest data released by Statistics Canada on September 24, 2025, reveals that Canada is facing a major demographic turning point. Affected by federal government immigration policy adjustments, Canada's population growth rate in Q2 2025 was only 0.1%, marking the lowest post-war level (excluding pandemic period). Meanwhile, population aging trends are accelerating again, posing severe challenges to the national labor market and economic development.
09/26/2025
加拿大移民部8月数据发布 积压情况上升学签申请处理时间延长
IRCC Releases August Data: Backlog Increases, Study Permit Processing Times Extended
According to the latest data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as of August 31, 2025, the department's application backlog reached 958,850 cases, continuing to rise from July's 901,700 cases, representing a 6.33% increase. This marks the fourth consecutive month of worsening backlog issues for IRCC, with study permit applications experiencing particularly severe delays, surging from 23% in July to 32% in August.
09/25/2025
爱德华王子岛发放129份邀请函 重点关注本地就业及高校毕业生
Prince Edward Island Issues 129 Invitations with Focus on Local Employment and University Graduates
Prince Edward Island issued 129 invitations through its Labour Impact and Express Entry categories in its latest Provincial Nominee Program draw held on September 19, 2025. The province continues to focus on occupational sectors with significant economic impact, prioritizing applicants employed locally and international graduates from provincial institutions.
09/24/2025
曼尼托巴省向超过900名技术工人发出省提名邀请
Manitoba Issues Provincial Nomination Invitations to Over 900 Skilled Workers
Manitoba's immigration department issued application invitations to 911 skilled worker candidates this week through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw covered both the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream and the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, with candidates primarily qualifying through strategic recruitment initiatives and temporary work permit facilitation policies. Notably, over 90% of the invitations were issued to applicants who benefited from the federal temporary work permit policy.
09/23/2025
美国H1-B签证费用大幅上涨,加拿大工作许可成热门替代选择
H1-B Visa Fees Surge Dramatically in the US, Canada Work Permits Emerge as Popular Alternative
With US H1-B visa application fees skyrocketing to $100,000, an increasing number of international tech professionals are turning their attention to Canada. This article provides a detailed analysis of Canada's main work permit and immigration pathways, offering comprehensive guidance for professionals seeking to develop their careers in North America.
09/22/2025
阿尔伯塔省九月上旬密集抽选,发放逾1300份省提名邀请
Alberta Issues Over 1,300 Provincial Nomination Invitations in Early September Draws
In early September 2025, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted a series of seven immigration draws, issuing a total of 1,376 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates. These draws primarily targeted applicants in the Alberta Express Entry stream and the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, focusing on inviting candidates with Alberta job offers who can help fill labor gaps in high-demand sectors. The number of invitations issued in the first half of September alone has already surpassed that of any other single month in 2025, indicating that the province is accelerating its efforts to meet its economic development needs.
09/20/2025
加拿大快速通道2025年首次技工类抽签,邀请分数线大幅上涨
Canada Holds First Express Entry Draw of 2025 for Trade Occupations, CRS Score Rises Sharply
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of the year for trade occupations on September 18, 2025. A total of 1,250 candidates received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). However, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score soared to 505, significantly higher than the previous draw for this category. The primary reason for the score increase is the long interval between draws, which led to an accumulation of high-scoring candidates. Additionally, internal documents suggest IRCC plans to issue more invitations to trade candidates in the second half of the year.
09/19/2025
加拿大快速通道进行教育类专项邀请,最低分数线降至462分
Canada Conducts Express Entry Draw for Education Professionals, CRS Cut-off Score Drops to 462
On September 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the second-ever Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the "education" category. A total of 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 462. Compared to the inaugural draw for this category, this round featured a significantly lower cut-off score and a larger number of invitations, reflecting the flexibility and strategic focus of Canada's immigration policy on attracting professionals from specific fields.
09/18/2025
艾伯塔省省提名配额上调 2025年可提名人数增至6,403人
Alberta's Provincial Nomination Allocation for 2025 Raised to 6,403
The Canadian federal government has recently approved an increase to the 2025 allocation for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The province's nomination spots have been raised from the previously set 4,875 to 6,403, a net increase of 1,528. This adjustment comes after the federal government had drastically reduced overall PNP immigration targets in response to pressures such as housing shortages. The increased allocation is viewed as a positive response to lobbying by provinces to meet local labour demands, and it is anticipated that the new spots will be prioritized to support key industries and regional economic development. In addition to Alberta, several other Canadian provinces and territories have also received increased allocations.
09/17/2025
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK