Common work routes: duration & processing
Official sources · Reviewed 2026-10-16Canada has no one duration or processing time for all work permits. The employer-specific and open-permit rules are different. IRCC’s calculator asks for the application category and, for overseas work permits, the country you apply from. The Global Skills Strategy is a faster-processing service for eligible applications, not a separate fixed-duration visa.
Employer-specific work permit
- Stay / permit duration
- Until the expiry date on the issued permit, under its employment conditions. There is no single countrywide duration; the authorised employment and applicable route determine the period.
- Official processing guidance
- Use IRCC’s processing-time tool for the application category and country of application. Employer LMIA steps, when required, are separate.
An employer-specific offer and the relevant LMIA or exemption requirements must be checked for the actual job.
Global Skills Strategy — eligible faster processing
- Stay / permit duration
- Follows the underlying work permit and approved employment; GSS itself does not set a standard permit length.
- Official processing guidance
- IRCC aims for 2 weeks for eligible, complete applications after submission and required biometrics. This is a target, not a guarantee.
Generally an online application from outside Canada for eligible highly skilled work. Open work permits are not eligible for this two-week service; check the full official conditions.
Open work permit — eligible categories
- Stay / permit duration
- Depends on the qualifying category and the individual grant; it is not a universal multi-year permit.
- Official processing guidance
- Category and application location determine the relevant IRCC estimate. The two-week GSS service does not apply to open work permits.
Only available in specified circumstances; it is not available to every candidate without a job offer.
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
- Stay / permit duration
- Up to 3 years for eligible graduates; the study programme’s level and length and passport validity determine the actual period.
- Official processing guidance
- Check the appropriate work-permit category in IRCC’s current processing-time calculator; there is no fixed universal PGWP processing promise.
For graduates of eligible Canadian programmes who meet the current requirements. A recruitment enquiry does not create PGWP eligibility.
Informational route examples, not a list of confirmed vacancies or a promise that every route is available through the agency. Check the linked official guidance for current eligibility and timing. Recruitment, document preparation and government processing are separate; confirm the route-specific service scope and fees.
Start with the work you want to do.
For Canada, start by identifying the work you want to do and the questions relevant to your circumstances. The official work-permit information is a starting point for checking the appropriate route; a recruitment enquiry does not establish permission to work.
Prepare your candidate background
Prepare a consistent account of your training, recent duties and employment references. For regulated work, identify the relevant professional body. Confirm the purpose and accepted variant of any language test before booking.
- A complete CV with consistent dates and recent responsibilities
- Qualification, trade or professional evidence where relevant
- Employment references and any language results already held
- Your nationality and current residence, discussed through an appropriate channel
What our support can cover
We can review your skills summary, discuss a focused recruitment search and help prepare your employment application. Document-readiness support can identify questions to resolve before appointments or submission. Confirm availability, fees and the written service scope for your case.
Keep four different steps clear
Employment offer: the proposed work and its terms.
Work authorisation: permission to carry out the specified work.
Entry visa: permission relevant to entering the destination, where required.
Residence permission: the conditions for staying. It is not automatically created by signing a contract.
Language and professional readiness
Ask what language is used at work and whether formal language evidence is required. Professional registration, trade licensing and an immigration language requirement can be separate checks. Choose examinations only after confirming the receiving body’s current rules.
Questions to settle before committing
Is this page advertising a live job?+
No. This is a destination preparation guide. Use the opportunity directory to request a recruitment search or express interest in future discussions.
Can you quote a fixed processing date or extension?+
No. Requirements and decisions depend on the actual route and circumstances. Ask the authority for current information and confirm any service timetable in writing.
Can I apply while living in another country?+
Your residence, nationality and application route may affect where and how you apply. Confirm the official application location and do not assume that being nearby gives you work rights.
NEW COUNTRY PROGRAMMES
Explore your next job abroad.
Plumbing, building, hospitality, warehouse work and other occupations: tell us your skills and preferred country.
Agency-announced recruitment programmes with work-visa preparation support. Request the current role, employer, work location, contract and written visa-support terms before applying or paying. This overview is not an individual employment offer.
Canada
- Programme estimate
- 4.5 months
- Processing-stage estimate
- 3 months
- Programme service fee
- Request a written quote
View this job programmeThese are agency-supplied estimates, not official visa deadlines or permit validity periods. The programme estimate and processing-stage estimate are separate figures supplied by the agency; do not add them together. Confirm the stages and starting point in writing. Timing and service fees vary by country and role.
Dollar fees are approximate conversions, not fixed USD quotes. Conversion basis: 1 USD = 583.7988 XAF, 18 October 2026. Bank rates and charges may differ. Existing destination starting prices describe separate service scopes; request one itemised quote for your chosen programme.
Exchange-rate reference ↗ · Prepare your programme documents ↗
