• You have a valid study or work permit
• Your spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study or work permit
• You’ve graduated from a program at a:
  
  • Canadian university
  • Community college
  • CÉGEP
  • Publicly funded trade/technical school, or
  • Other eligible school
    
• You have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more
• You’re waiting on a decision on an application for permanent residence from inside Canada
• You made or will make a claim for refugee protection
• You’ve been recognized as a convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
• You’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but you need a work permit to work in a different job, or
• You’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under NAFTA

If you want to work for a particular employer, you would need to apply for an employer-specific work permit. An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit. Before you submit your application for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must be approved for hiring.

• Show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home
• Obey the law and have no record of criminal activity
• Not be a danger to Canada’s security
• Be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed
• Not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions
• Not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages
• Prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires