Working abroad
Working in Canada: permits and basic rights
The legal routes to work in Canada, where to apply, and the protections you have as a worker, including as a foreign national.
Who this is for
For people outside Canada thinking about working there, temporarily or permanently. Immigration rules are federal; rules on hours, vacation and pay are mostly provincial.
In short
- The official site for visas and permits is IRCC on canada.ca.
- Young Italians (18-35) can use International Experience Canada.
- Foreign workers have the same workplace rights as Canadians.
- Never pay for an LMIA: the employer pays it and cannot recover it from you.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change and have exceptions. Always check the official text in the sources below and, for your own case, talk to a trade union, a qualified lawyer or the competent public authority.
The legal basis
Entry and work by foreign nationals are governed by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its Regulations (IRPR). Applications are made online to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). [1]
The main routes
- Express Entry: online system for permanent residence of skilled workers. You create a profile, get a score and, if invited, apply. [2]
- Work permit with an LMIA (Temporary Foreign Worker Program): the employer first gets a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the government, then you apply for a permit tied to that employer. [3]
- International Mobility Program: LMIA-exempt permits, for example under international agreements or intra-company transfers. [3]
- International Experience Canada (IEC): the Italy-Canada agreement, in force since 14 November 2022, lets Italian citizens aged 18-35 work for up to 12 months, twice. Categories: Working Holiday (open permit), Young Professionals and International Co-op (employer-specific permits). [4]
- Provincial Nominee Program: provinces and territories nominate candidates for permanent residence based on their needs. [5]
Your basic rights
Temporary foreign workers have the same rights and protections as Canadians and permanent residents. Your employer must give you information about your rights on or before your first day of work. [6] [11]
Most workers are covered by provincial law. Example: in Ontario the Employment Standards Act, 2000 provides overtime at 1.5 times pay after 44 hours a week and at least 2 weeks’ vacation after each year (3 after five years). [7] [8] Banks, air transport, telecoms and other federal sectors follow the Canada Labour Code instead. [9] In those sectors the federal minimum wage is CAD 18.15 an hour from 1 April 2026 (if the provincial rate is higher, the higher one applies). [10]
Watch out for LMIA scams
Employers cannot charge you, directly or through a recruiter, for the LMIA or for recruitment. The only exceptions are the government visa and permit fees. [11] Buying or selling LMIAs is treated as misuse of the program and is penalised. Be wary of anyone who asks for money to “guarantee” a job or an LMIA, promises you will arrive in a few weeks or offers unrealistic pay. [12] Report abuse or fraud, anonymously if you wish, to the Service Canada confidential tip line (1-866-602-9448). [6]
Checklist
- Start from canada.ca and use the official tool to see which programmes you may qualify for.
- If you are 18-35, look at IEC.
- Check that the company exists and the job is on its own website.
- Do not pay anyone for an LMIA or a job.
- Sign a written contract and keep a copy.
- Check the employment law of your province.