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Key takeaways
- Most people start on a temporary work permit and move to permanent residence later, but some skilled workers apply for permanent residence directly.
- Canada's 2026 to 2028 levels plan cuts new temporary worker and student arrivals, so temporary routes are tighter than a few years ago.
- Spousal open work permits are now limited to partners of certain workers and students, and dependent children of workers no longer qualify.
- Budget for government fees, a language test, credential checks, and several months of living costs before you earn.
You want to live and work in Canada, and every search sends you to a different acronym: LMIA, IEC, PGWP, PNP. The good news is that the options fall into two groups. Temporary routes let you work for a set period, while permanent residence routes let you stay for good.
Most people use one of each, in that order. This guide walks you through both, the 2026 caps you should know about, what it costs, and which route fits your situation. Figures are as of September 2026, so confirm them on the official pages before you apply.
How can you live and work in Canada temporarily?
A work permit lets you work legally, but it doesn't make you a permanent resident. There are two main kinds.
An employer-specific work permit ties you to one employer. Usually that employer first needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada, which shows no Canadian was available for the job. As of September 2026, the employer pays a $1,000 LMIA processing fee per position, and that fee can't be passed on to you.
Some jobs are LMIA-exempt, for example under free trade agreements or intra-company transfers. The employer still has to follow IRCC's rules, but the process is shorter.
An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer. You can't just ask for one, though. You need to fit a specific program, such as the ones below.
International Experience Canada (working holiday)
International Experience Canada (IEC) is for young people from countries with a youth mobility agreement with Canada. The Working Holiday category gives you an open work permit, while Young Professionals and International Co-op need a job or internship.
You submit a free profile and wait for an invitation. After you're invited, you have 10 days to accept and 20 days to apply. IRCC also asks you to show about $2,500 CAD in funds and have health insurance. Age limits and quotas depend on your country, so check IEC's eligibility tool.
Post-graduation work permits
If you studied at an eligible Canadian school on a study permit, a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) can give you up to three years of open work authorization. You must apply within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program.
Since November 1, 2024, most applicants need language results: CLB 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates. Some college and non-degree programs also have field-of-study rules. You can only get one PGWP in your life.
Spousal open work permits
These got much narrower on January 21, 2025. Your spouse or partner can usually get an open work permit only if you work in a TEER 0 or 1 job, or in certain TEER 2 or 3 jobs in sectors such as health care, construction and education, with at least 16 months left on your permit.
Spouses of students qualify mainly if the student is in a master's program of 16 months or more, a doctoral program, or certain professional programs. Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible under this measure.
What are the permanent residence routes?
Permanent residence lets you live, work and study anywhere in Canada with no end date, and it can later lead to Canadian citizenship. These are the main economic routes as of September 2026.
Express Entry manages three federal programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. You're ranked by a points score and invited in draws. Our Express Entry and CRS guide explains it step by step.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) let provinces pick people for their local job markets. Some streams link to Express Entry and add 600 CRS points. Others are separate paper-based routes. Ontario, for example, closed its old streams on June 25, 2026 and launched a single Ontario Workforce Priority stream on August 4, 2026.
The Atlantic Immigration Program covers New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. You need a job offer from a designated employer, and you may get a temporary work permit while your application is processed.
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot offer permanent residence in selected communities, 18 in total. You need a job offer from a designated employer and a community recommendation.
Is Canada cutting immigration in 2026?
In part. The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan, released November 5, 2025, keeps permanent resident admissions at a target of 380,000 a year. For 2026 that includes 109,000 through federal high-skilled programs (mainly Express Entry) and 91,500 through PNPs.
Temporary arrivals are what's shrinking. The plan targets 385,000 new temporary residents in 2026: 230,000 workers and 155,000 students, falling to 370,000 in 2027 and 2028. The government has also committed to bringing temporary residents below 5% of Canada's population.
There's some upside if you're already in Canada. The plan includes a one-time measure to move up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027. Details can change, so watch IRCC's announcements.
How much does it cost to move to Canada?
Here are the main government fees as of September 2026. Check IRCC's fee list and your program page before paying.
| Item | Cost (CAD) | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit processing fee | $155 | Applicant |
| Open work permit holder fee (on top of the processing fee) | $100 | Applicant |
| IEC participation fee | $184.75 | Applicant |
| Biometrics | $85 per person, $170 family maximum | Applicant |
| LMIA processing fee | $1,000 per position | Employer |
| Permanent residence, principal applicant (includes $600 right of permanent residence fee) | $1,590 | Applicant |
| Permanent residence, spouse or partner | $1,590 | Applicant |
| Permanent residence, dependent child | $270 | Applicant |
| Express Entry proof of funds, single person (FSWP and FSTP) | $15,263 | Must be available, not paid |
Government fees are only part of your budget. Add language tests, an Educational Credential Assessment, medical exams, police certificates and flights.
Then plan for living costs. Many landlords ask for a deposit before you move in, and some provinces make newcomers wait for public health coverage, so private insurance may be needed at first. Moving savings from home can also be expensive if you don't compare transfer fees.
Which route to live and work in Canada fits you?
| Your situation | Route to look at first | Needs a job offer? |
|---|---|---|
| Young, from an IEC partner country, want to try Canada | IEC Working Holiday | No |
| Skilled worker abroad with strong language scores | Express Entry (FSWP), possibly a category draw | No |
| Already working in Canada in a skilled job | Express Entry (CEC) or a PNP | Not for CEC |
| Canadian employer wants to hire you | Employer-specific work permit, then PR | Yes |
| Graduated from an eligible Canadian school | PGWP, then CEC or a PNP | No |
| Open to living in Atlantic Canada or a smaller community | Atlantic Immigration Program or rural and francophone pilots | Yes, from a designated employer |
Say you're a nurse from Manila with four years of experience. You might create an Express Entry profile and watch for health care category draws, while also checking provincial streams and Atlantic employers. Getting a Canadian nursing licence takes time, so you'd start that process early too.
Common mistakes when planning a move
- Following old advice. Job offer CRS points, broad spousal permits and several provincial streams have all changed since 2025.
- Assuming your family can work. Check spousal eligibility before you commit.
- Letting status lapse. Apply to extend or change your permit before it expires.
- Budgeting only for fees. Your first months of rent and bills usually cost more.
Your next steps to live and work in Canada
First, use IRCC's online eligibility tool to see which programs you may qualify for. Then book a language test, since almost every route uses one.
If you're heading to Ontario's biggest job market, read our guide to working in Toronto. And once you have a date, our first weeks in Canada checklist covers your SIN, health card and bank account.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move to Canada without a job offer?
Yes, through routes such as Express Entry or International Experience Canada if you're eligible. Many work permits and some provincial streams do require a job offer, though.
How much money do I need to move to Canada?
It depends on the route. Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker Program asked a single person to show $15,263 CAD as of September 2026, and IEC asks for about $2,500. Real start-up costs are usually higher.
Can my spouse work in Canada if I get a work permit?
Only in some cases. Since January 21, 2025, spouses generally qualify for an open work permit if you work in a TEER 0 or 1 job, or certain TEER 2 or 3 jobs, and have at least 16 months left on your permit.
Is it harder to get a Canadian work permit in 2026?
For many people, yes. The government has lowered targets for new temporary workers and students, and low-wage LMIAs are refused in areas with high unemployment.
How long does it take to become a permanent resident of Canada?
It varies widely. IRCC aims to decide 80% of Express Entry applications within six months of a complete submission, but time spent building eligibility beforehand is often longer.