What is the difference between an open and a closed work permit?

A closed (employer-specific) work permit ties you to one employer, job and location, and usually requires an LMIA. An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer and is available in specific situations, such as spouses of some workers and students, inland sponsorship applicants, and post-graduation work permit holders.

My work permit is expiring. What are my options?

Apply to extend before expiry to gain maintained status, which lets you keep working under the same conditions. If your permit has already expired, you may have 90 days to apply for restoration of status. Both windows are strict, so act early.

Work Permit Lawyer Saskatchewan | LMIA, PGWP & Restoration

Q: Do I need an LMIA to work in Saskatchewan?

Many employer-specific permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment, where the employer proves no Canadian was available for the job. But there are major LMIA-exempt categories, including intra-company transfers, international agreements, and provincial nominee support letters through the SINP.

Q: Can a work permit lead to permanent residence?

Yes. Canadian work experience earns points under Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class and strengthens Saskatchewan Experience streams under the SINP. For many workers in Saskatchewan, a work permit is the first step in a planned route to PR.

What types of work permits does Canada issue?

Direct answer: Canada issues two broad types of work permits. Employer-specific (closed) permits tie you to one employer and usually require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Open work permits let you work for almost any employer and are available in defined situations, including spouses of certain workers and students, inland sponsorship applicants, and graduates holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Saskatchewan's economy runs on workers who hold these permits, in health care, trucking, agriculture, trades and technology. But the rules around them are strict: work a single day without authorization and you may become inadmissible, which puts every future application at risk.

Do I need an LMIA?

Many employer-specific permits require an LMIA, where the employer proves to Service Canada that no Canadian or permanent resident was available for the role. There are important exemptions:

Provincial support: an SINP nomination or support letter can make a worker LMIA-exempt
Intra-company transfers for managers and specialized knowledge workers
International agreements such as CUSMA and other free-trade work categories
Spousal open work permits tied to a partner's work or study status

We advise both workers and Saskatchewan employers on the fastest compliant route, and we prepare the employer-side compliance file so the permit survives scrutiny.

How our work permit lawyers help

Employer-specific (LMIA) and LMIA-exempt work permit applications
Open work permits for spouses of workers, students and inland sponsorship applicants
Post-Graduation Work Permits and PGWP-refusal remedies
Extensions, maintained status and restoration of status within the 90-day window
Refused work permits: reconsideration and judicial review
Status protection if you're charged with an offence while on a permit, with our criminal inadmissibility practice

My permit is expiring or expired. What now?

Before expiry: extend

Apply before your permit expires and you gain maintained status, keeping your right to work under the same conditions while IRCC decides.

Within 90 days of expiry: restore

You may apply for restoration of status. You cannot work while waiting, but you can stay in Canada legally.

After 90 days: get legal advice fast

Options narrow quickly and may require leaving Canada. A lawyer can assess whether humanitarian or other pathways remain.

Can a work permit lead to permanent residence?

Yes, and it should be planned that way from day one. Canadian work experience earns points under Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class, and Saskatchewan work experience opens the SINP Saskatchewan Experience streams. The right permit today is the difference between a smooth PR application and a dead end two years from now.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between open and closed work permits?

Closed permits tie you to one employer and usually need an LMIA. Open permits let you work for almost any employer and are available in specific situations, like spousal permits and the PGWP.

Do I need an LMIA to work in Saskatchewan?

Many closed permits require one, but SINP support, intra-company transfers and trade agreements create major exemptions.

My permit is expiring. What are my options?

Extend before expiry for maintained status, or apply for restoration within 90 days after expiry. Both deadlines are strict.

Can a work permit lead to PR?

Yes. Canadian experience feeds Express Entry and the SINP's Saskatchewan Experience streams. Plan the permit with PR in mind.

Work permit lawyers in Saskatchewan