Canada Work Visa & Work Permit Rules

If you plan to work in Canada in 2025 — whether you’re coming from abroad, or already inside Canada — it’s important to know the latest rules from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know in early 2025.

✅ Who can apply for a work permit?

Regardless of where you apply from (outside or inside Canada), you must meet a standard set of eligibility criteria: you need to prove you will leave Canada when your permit expires; show you have enough money to support yourself (and family, if applicable); have no criminal record; not pose a security risk; meet health requirements (medical exam if needed); and comply with other admissibility criteria. Canada

You are not eligible if you plan to work for an employer listed as “ineligible,” or for an employer offering erotic dance/escort/erotic-massage services. Canada

📍 Where you apply from matters — and there are exceptions

• If you apply from outside Canada: anyone can apply before entering Canada — but depending on the visa office handling applications at your home country, there may be additional country-specific requirements. Canada

• If you apply from inside Canada: this is only possible if you already hold a valid study or work permit, or if a family member (spouse/common-law partner or parent) has one. Other eligible categories include certain refugee claimants or protected persons, or people waiting on certain permanent residence applications. Canada

• If entering Canada at a port of entry (airport/border): some visa-exempt travellers may apply for a permit at arrival — but not everyone qualifies. Canada

🔄 Recent changes and 2025 updates

• As of January 21, 2025, new rules for open work permits (OWPs) for family members of temporary foreign workers came into effect. Under the new criteria, not all spouses or dependents qualify anymore. Mondaq+2Canada+2

• Specifically: to be eligible, the primary worker must be employed in certain occupations (classified under TEER 0, 1 — and in some cases select TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations). Also, the work permit held by the primary worker must have at least 16 months remaining at the time of application. Mondaq+1

• Family members (like children) are no longer automatically eligible for open work permits under many circumstances. Mondaq+1

🧑‍🎓 Work permits for students / graduates

• The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) rules have been changing. Under new guidelines, certain educational program types (especially some college bachelor’s degrees under specific licensing arrangements) may no longer make graduates eligible for a PGWP. Canada+1

• This change reflects IRCC’s efforts to calibrate PGWP eligibility with labour-market and immigration policy goals. Canada

⚠️ What’s no longer allowed / What changed

• The earlier temporary public policy — allowing visitors with a job offer to apply for employer-supported work permits from inside Canada — has been ended. CIC News+2Canada+2

• Also, from May 2025 onwards, biometric collection (fingerprints + photo) is mandatory for all work permit applicants — including interim authorizations. This adds cost (biometric fee) and may delay processing. getmealawyer.ca

• Importantly: despite some misinformation or rumours, work permits remain under the control of the federal government, not provincial authorities. Provinces can nominate for permanent residence, but do not issue work permits. VisaVerge+1

🎯 What this means for you (or your clients)

• If you’re applying from abroad: make sure your application covers all eligibility criteria (funds, intent to leave, admissibility, employer eligibility, etc.).

• If you plan to bring a spouse/partner or family members: they should check carefully whether they qualify under the new OWP rules (primary worker’s occupation, permit validity, etc.).

• If you are a student / graduate: confirm in advance whether your study program qualifies for PGWP — the rules have tightened.

• Plan ahead: budget extra time and money for biometrics; and don’t assume you can apply from inside Canada just because you visited with a visitor visa (that option is gone).