Changing jobs is a normal part of working life, but if you are a foreign worker in Canada, changing employers can involve immigration rules as well as employment decisions.
So, can you change employers while working in Canada?
Yes, in many cases you can. However, what you need to do depends mainly on the type of Canadian work permit you have.
If you have an open work permit, you can generally change employers without applying for a new work permit simply because you have found a different job. If you have an employer-specific work permit, your situation is different. You may need to apply for a new work permit before working for the new employer.
This guide explains how changing employers works in Canada, what to do before accepting a new job, and what you should know if you have lost your current job.
Can You Change Employers While Working in Canada?
Yes. Foreign workers are not generally required to stay with one employer forever.
The important issue is whether your work permit allows you to work for different employers.
Canada has two broad types of work permits:
- Employer-specific work permits
- Open work permits
An employer-specific work permit normally identifies the employer, occupation and location where you are authorized to work. You must follow the conditions listed on your permit.
An open work permit is more flexible. It generally allows the holder to work for different employers, subject to any restrictions listed on the permit.
Therefore, before accepting a new job, check your current work permit carefully.
Employer-Specific Work Permit vs. Open Work Permit
Understanding this difference is one of the most important parts of changing employers in Canada.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
An employer-specific work permit is sometimes called a closed work permit.
It authorizes you to work under specific conditions. Your permit may identify:
- Your employer
- Your occupation
- Your work location
- Other conditions attached to your authorization
If you want to work for a different employer, you generally need to apply for a new work permit that allows you to work for that employer.
Your new employer may also need to complete immigration-related steps before you can apply.
Depending on the job and immigration program, this could involve a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt process through the Employer Portal.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit provides significantly more flexibility.
If you hold a valid open work permit, you can generally change employers without applying for a new permit simply because you have changed jobs. Canada.ca confirms that open work permit holders can change employers while their permit is valid.
However, you should still check the conditions on your particular permit. Some open work permits can contain restrictions.
Do You Need a New Work Permit to Change Employers in Canada?
If you have an employer-specific work permit, usually yes.
You need to apply to change the conditions of your work permit if you want to work for a new employer. The Canadian government specifically lists changing employers as a reason to apply to change work permit conditions.
The process depends on the new job and the employer.
For example, if the new position requires an LMIA, your prospective employer may need to obtain a new LMIA. If the position is LMIA-exempt, the employer may instead need to submit an offer of employment through the appropriate system and provide you with the required information.
The important point is that getting a job offer does not automatically give you permission to start working for the new employer.
Can You Start Your New Job Before Your New Work Permit Is Approved?
This is one of the most important questions for foreign workers.
In certain circumstances, an employer-specific work permit holder who applies for a new work permit can request authorization to work for the new employer while the application is being processed.
However, you should not simply start working for the new employer because you have submitted a work permit application.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), after applying for the new employer-specific work permit, the worker can request authorization through the IRCC web form. The worker should wait for IRCC’s response confirming whether they are authorized to work for the new employer.
This distinction is extremely important.
Submitting an application is not the same thing as receiving authorization to begin the new job.
If you are changing employers, make sure you understand exactly when you are legally permitted to begin working.
What Documents Do You Need to Change Employers?
The documents required can vary depending on the new employer and your immigration situation.
If the new employer requires an LMIA, IRCC says the employer generally needs to provide information such as:
- A new job offer letter
- The new LMIA number
- A new employment contract signed by you and the employer
Workers in Quebec may also need a new Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) where applicable.
If the job is LMIA-exempt, the employer may need to provide the offer of employment number generated through the Employer Portal, unless an exemption from that process applies.
Because immigration requirements can change depending on the program, occupation, province and individual circumstances, it is important to check the current IRCC requirements before submitting an application.
What Is an LMIA?
You may come across the term LMIA when changing employers in Canada.
LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment.
In simple terms, an LMIA is used in certain temporary foreign worker situations to assess whether there is a need for a foreign worker to fill a particular job.
Not every job requires an LMIA. Some positions are LMIA-exempt under Canada’s International Mobility Program and other immigration pathways.
If your prospective employer needs an LMIA, the employer—not the worker—normally handles the LMIA application process.
You should therefore ask your potential employer whether the position is LMIA-required or LMIA-exempt before assuming that you can immediately begin working.
What If You Lose Your Job in Canada?
Losing your job can be stressful, especially if your work permit is tied to your employer.
If you have an employer-specific work permit and lose the job connected to that permit, you generally cannot simply begin working for another employer.
IRCC states that workers who have lost the job connected to an employer-specific work permit and want to continue working in Canada need to obtain a new job offer and apply for a new work permit. They must stop working until they are authorized to work for the new employer, unless they receive specific authorization to work while the new application is processed.
This means that losing your job does not necessarily mean you must immediately leave Canada, but your ability to continue working depends on your immigration status and authorization.
If you cannot obtain another qualifying job offer, you may eventually need to leave Canada by the date required under your immigration documents.
What Happens If Your Work Permit Expires While You Are Changing Employers?
Timing matters.
If you apply to extend or change your work permit before it expires, you may benefit from maintained status while IRCC processes your application.
However, maintained status does not automatically allow an employer-specific work permit holder to start working for a completely different employer.
Under IRCC guidance, if an employer-specific work permit holder’s permit expires while an application to change employers is being processed, the worker can continue working under the original conditions while waiting for a decision. This means continuing with the original employer, job and work location unless IRCC separately authorizes the worker to change.
Open work permit holders have more flexibility and can generally continue changing employers and jobs while their authorization remains valid.
For this reason, do not wait until the last minute to deal with an expiring work permit.
Can You Change Employers on an IEC Work Permit?
International Experience Canada (IEC) participants have additional rules.
If you are in the Working Holiday category, your permit is an open work permit, meaning you can generally change employers whenever you want while the permit remains valid.
The Young Professionals and International Co-op categories are different because they generally involve employer-specific authorization.
Under those categories, changing employers is allowed only in certain circumstances and requires you to meet specific requirements. Examples of circumstances that may qualify include an employer closing, unsafe or substantially different working conditions, or losing the job through circumstances such as being fired or laid off.
If you hold an IEC work permit, check the rules for your specific IEC category before changing jobs.
Can You Change Jobs Within the Same Company?
Changing employers and changing jobs are not always the same thing.
For example, you might remain with the same company but receive:
- A promotion
- Different job duties
- A different occupation
- A different work location
- A significant wage change
Depending on your work permit conditions, these changes may require you to change or update your work authorization.
IRCC says that changes to conditions such as occupation, wages or work location can require an application to change the conditions of a work permit.
Do not assume that staying with the same company means every change is automatically permitted.
What If Your Employer Is Abusing You?
Foreign workers have rights in Canada.
Being a temporary foreign worker does not mean that you have to accept abuse, threats or unsafe working conditions.
Canada provides specific protections for temporary foreign workers, and some workers who are experiencing abuse or are at risk of abuse may qualify for an open work permit for vulnerable workers.
If you are in an abusive employment situation, immigration rules may provide options that are different from the normal employer-change process.
In such a situation, consider obtaining professional immigration or legal advice and reviewing the official Canadian government information before taking action.
A Simple Example
Imagine that Maria is working in Canada with an employer-specific work permit.
Her work permit names Company A as her employer.
After one year, Maria receives a better job offer from Company B.
Can she simply resign from Company A and start working for Company B?
Not necessarily.
Because her work permit is employer-specific, Maria may need to apply for a new work permit for Company B.
Company B may need to obtain an LMIA or complete an LMIA-exempt employer process, depending on the job.
Maria may also be able to request authorization to work for Company B while her new work permit application is being processed. However, she should wait for confirmation from IRCC before starting the new job under that temporary authorization process.
Now imagine that Maria instead holds a valid open work permit.
In that case, she can generally move from Company A to Company B without obtaining a new work permit solely because she changed employers.
What Should You Do Before Changing Employers?
Before accepting a new job, follow a few basic steps.
1. Check your work permit
Look at the employer, occupation, location and other conditions listed on your permit.
2. Determine whether it is open or employer-specific
This determines how much freedom you have to change jobs.
3. Ask the new employer about immigration requirements
Find out whether the job requires an LMIA or qualifies for an LMIA exemption.
4. Do not start working too early
If you need a new employer-specific work permit, do not assume that submitting an application gives you immediate permission to start.
5. Check your permit expiry date
Your immigration status and ability to work can be affected if you allow your permit to expire without taking appropriate action.
6. Keep copies of your documents
Save your work permit, employment contract, job offer, application confirmations and communications with IRCC.
7. Get professional advice when your situation is complicated
If you have lost your job, experienced workplace abuse, have an immigration application in progress, or are unsure about your authorization to work, professional advice may help you avoid a serious immigration mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I quit my job and work for another employer in Canada?
It depends on your work permit. Open work permit holders can generally change employers, while employer-specific work permit holders normally need authorization for the new employer.
How long does it take to change employers in Canada?
There is no single processing time that applies to every case. Processing can depend on the type of application, employer requirements and other factors. Check the current IRCC processing information before making plans.
Can my employer stop me from changing jobs?
An employer-specific work permit can restrict where and for whom you are authorized to work, but that does not mean you are permanently required to remain with the employer. You may need to obtain new work authorization before starting with another employer.
Can I change employers if my work permit is still valid?
If you have an open work permit, generally yes. If you have an employer-specific work permit, you normally need to change the conditions of your work permit before working for the new employer.
Can I change employers after applying for permanent residence?
It depends on your current work permit and immigration program. A pending permanent residence application does not automatically turn an employer-specific work permit into an open work permit. Check the conditions of your current authorization before changing jobs.