Change Employers on a Work Permit in Canada: What to Do

Change Employers on a Work Permit in Canada usually requires a new work permit if your current document names a specific employer.

An employer-specific work permit normally limits you to the employer, occupation and work location printed on the permit. Finding a new job does not automatically give you permission to begin working for the new company.

Your new employer may first need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment or submit an LMIA-exempt offer through the IRCC Employer Portal. You then apply to change the conditions of your work permit.

Some eligible workers already in Canada can request temporary authorization to start the new job while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada processes the new work permit application.

Important: This article provides general information and is not legal or immigration advice. Do not begin working for a new employer until you receive the new work permit or a separate written authorization from IRCC.

Quick Overview
Open vs Employer-Specific Permits
When a New Permit Is Required
What the New Employer Must Do
Documents You Need
How to Apply
Starting the New Job Early
PPCHANGEWORK2020 Web Form
Maintained Status
If You Lost Your Job
Changing Jobs With the Same Employer
Special Cases
Common Mistakes
Checklist
Official Resources
FAQ

Changing Employers in Canada: Quick Overview

Situation	General Rule
Open work permit	You can generally change employers while the permit is valid, subject to any restrictions printed on it.
Employer-specific permit	You generally need to apply for a new work permit before working for a different employer.
New employer needs an LMIA	The employer normally obtains a positive LMIA and gives you the LMIA information, offer and signed contract.
New employer is LMIA-exempt	The employer normally submits a new Employer Portal offer and gives you a new A-number.
Starting before approval	Some eligible workers can request interim authorization through the IRCC Web Form.
Work permit fee	Generally CAN$155.

Open Work Permit vs Employer-Specific Work Permit

Open Work Permit

A valid open work permit normally allows you to change employers without applying for a new permit each time.

However, open permits are not unlimited. Check whether your permit contains restrictions involving:

Health-care work
Child-care work
Primary or secondary education
Agricultural occupations
Ineligible employers
A specific location or occupation

You may need a medical examination and an application to change your permit conditions before entering certain occupations.

Employer-Specific Work Permit

An employer-specific permit can list:

The employer you may work for
The occupation you may perform
The authorized work location
The expiry date

You cannot use an employer-specific permit issued for Company A to work for Company B.

Read Work Permit Canada Explained: Open vs Employer-Specific Work Permit.

When Do You Need a New Work Permit?

You generally need to apply to change the conditions of an employer-specific permit when:

You accept a job with a different employer
You move into a different occupation
Your work location changes and the permit restricts the location
Your duties or responsibilities change substantially
Your wage or employment conditions change materially
A company merger or takeover results in a legally different employer

A minor internal change does not always require a new permit, but do not assume that staying within the same workplace means the immigration conditions are unchanged.

What Must the New Employer Do?

The new employer must determine whether the job requires an LMIA or qualifies for an LMIA exemption.

When an LMIA Is Required

The new employer normally applies to Service Canada for an LMIA.

After receiving a positive decision, the employer should give you:

A new job-offer letter
The new LMIA information
A contract signed by you and the employer

For a Quebec position, you may also need a new Québec Acceptance Certificate, depending on the applicable process.

Read LMIA Canada Explained.

When the Position Is LMIA-Exempt

For many employer-specific International Mobility Program positions, the new employer must:

Confirm that an LMIA exemption applies.
Submit the job offer through the Employer Portal.
Pay the $230 employer compliance fee or document an exemption.
Give you the new offer of employment number.

The new A-number normally begins with the letter A followed by seven digits.

Related guides:

Documents You May Need

Your personalized IRCC checklist controls. Common documents may include:

Valid passport
Current work permit
New employment contract
New job-offer letter
Positive LMIA information where required
New Employer Portal A-number where required
Proof of the LMIA exemption
Education and training records
Professional licence where required
Proof of relevant work experience
Medical examination evidence where required
Proof of current status in Canada
Letter of explanation

The employer name, NOC, wage, duties and work location should be consistent across the employer documents and your application.

How to Apply to Change Employers

The general application process is:

Obtain a genuine job offer from the new employer.
Confirm whether the employer needs an LMIA.
Wait for the employer to complete the LMIA or Employer Portal process.
Collect the employer documents and supporting evidence.
Sign in to your IRCC secure account.
Apply to change the conditions of your work permit.
Enter the new employer and job information.
Upload all documents on the personalized checklist.
Pay the applicable work permit fee.
Electronically sign and submit the application.
Save the submission confirmation and payment receipt.

The standard work permit application fee is currently $155 per person.

See Work Permit Extension Canada: How to Apply Before Expiry.

Can You Start the New Job Before Approval?

Possibly, but not automatically.

IRCC has a temporary public policy allowing some foreign workers already in Canada to request authorization to work for the new employer while their new employer-specific work permit application is processed.

You may be eligible when you:

Are physically in Canada
Have valid temporary resident status
Submitted a new employer-specific work permit application in Canada
Have an employer-specific work permit or qualify under an eligible work-permit-exempt situation
Intend to work in the job described in the new application
Request the public-policy exemption through the required IRCC channel

Business visitors and some short-term workers under the Global Skills Strategy are excluded from this particular process.

Do not start after merely submitting the Web Form: Wait until IRCC emails you confirming that you are authorized to work for the new employer.

How to Request Interim Work Authorization

Submit the new work permit application first. You then use the IRCC Web Form to request early work authorization.

Step 1: Open the IRCC Web Form

Select the option under the Other category and continue to the enquiry form.

Step 2: Include the Priority Code

Your message must include this code:

PPCHANGEWORK2020

IRCC states that it cannot prioritize the request without the code.

Step 3: Provide the Required Information

Your message should clearly identify:

Your existing work permit expiry date
Your current employer and occupation
Your new employer and occupation
The NOC codes where available
Your new work permit application number
The date the application was submitted
A request for authorization to work while the application is processed

If you applied on paper and do not have an application number, include the courier tracking number.

Original Web Form Template

Priority code: PPCHANGEWORK2020

I have submitted an application for a new employer-specific work permit and am requesting temporary authorization to begin the employment described in that application while IRCC processes it.

My current or previous work authorization was valid until [DATE] for [CURRENT EMPLOYER] in occupation [CURRENT JOB AND NOC].

My new offer is from [NEW EMPLOYER] for [NEW JOB AND NOC]. My work permit application number is [APPLICATION NUMBER].

I understand that I must not begin the new employment until IRCC provides written authorization.

Adapt the message to your actual situation. Do not submit false employer, job or application information.

Read IRCC Web Form: How to Contact IRCC Online.

Step 4: Wait for the Authorization Email

IRCC states that it should generally respond in about 10 to 15 days. Paper applications may take longer.

The email will confirm whether you can begin working while the new application is processed.

The email:

Is not the new work permit
Does not guarantee final approval
Normally applies only to the job described in your application
Ends when IRCC decides the application or the application is withdrawn

Keep a copy and provide it to the new employer before beginning work.

Changing Employers During Maintained Status

If you submitted the new work permit application before your original permit expired and remain in Canada, you may have maintained status.

However, maintained status under an employer-specific permit normally allows you to work only under the conditions of the original permit:

Same employer
Same occupation
Same work location

You cannot automatically work for the new employer simply because the new application was submitted before expiry.

You can begin the new employment only when:

IRCC approves the new work permit; or
IRCC grants interim work authorization under the changing-employer public policy.

Read Maintained Status in Canada Explained.

What If You Were Laid Off or Lost Your Job?

Losing your job does not automatically cancel the immigration expiry date printed on your work permit.

However, an employer-specific permit does not authorize you to work for another employer.

To work again, you generally need to:

Find a new eligible job offer.
Have the new employer complete the LMIA or LMIA-exempt process.
Apply for a new employer-specific work permit.
Wait for approval or request and receive interim work authorization.

Do not work for the new employer while waiting unless IRCC has provided authorization.

Abuse or Risk of Abuse

A worker experiencing abuse or at risk of abuse in an employer-specific job may qualify to apply for an open work permit for vulnerable workers.

Eligibility is specific, and evidence of abuse or risk may be required.

See Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers in Canada.

Changing Jobs With the Same Employer

You may still need to apply for new conditions even if the legal employer remains the same.

Review the permit and employer documents when there is a change involving:

Occupation
NOC code
Main duties
Pay
Responsibilities
Restricted work location

A promotion to a materially different role may require a new LMIA or Employer Portal offer and a new work permit application.

Choose the NOC according to the actual duties. Read NOC TEER Canada: How to Choose the Right Code.

Special Cases

International Experience Canada

IEC participants must follow the rules for their specific category.

Working Holiday permits are usually open permits, while Young Professionals and International Co-op permits are generally employer-specific.

An employer change may be permitted only in limited IEC circumstances. Check the IEC instructions before submitting a regular change-employer request.

Quebec Workers

A worker changing to an LMIA-based employer in Quebec may need a new Québec Acceptance Certificate in addition to the LMIA and work permit application.

Company Merger or Takeover

A merger or takeover does not always require a new permit, but it may if the legal employer, business type, occupation, wage or work location changes.

The successor company may need to submit a new Employer Portal offer or obtain an LMIA for each affected worker.

Work Permit Already Expired

If your permit expired before a qualifying application was submitted, stop working.

You may be able to apply to restore worker status within 90 days, but restoration generally does not authorize you to work while waiting.

Read Restoration of Status Canada.

Common Mistakes When Changing Employers

Starting the new job immediately after receiving an offer
Assuming submission of a work permit application authorizes the new job
Starting work immediately after submitting the IRCC Web Form
Forgetting the PPCHANGEWORK2020 priority code
Using the previous employer’s LMIA or A-number
Applying before the new employer completes its required process
Using a job title that does not match the actual duties
Ignoring changes in work location or responsibilities
Assuming maintained status allows work for the new employer
Continuing to work after a refusal

Change Employers Work Permit Checklist

Before Applying

□ I confirmed whether my permit is open or employer-specific.
□ I received a genuine offer from the new employer.
□ I confirmed whether the job requires an LMIA.
□ The employer completed the LMIA or Employer Portal process.
□ I received the new LMIA information or A-number.
□ I received a signed employment contract.
□ The job title, NOC, wage and location are accurate.
□ My passport is valid for the requested period.

After Applying

□ I saved my application number and submission confirmation.
□ I used the IRCC Web Form if requesting early work authorization.
□ I included PPCHANGEWORK2020.
□ I provided my current and new employer details.
□ I will wait for the IRCC authorization email.
□ I understand the email is not the final work permit.
□ I will work only in the authorized job.
□ I will stop working if the application is refused or withdrawn.

Related Immigration Guides

Helpful Official Resources

FAQ About Changing Employers on a Work Permit

Can I change employers with an open work permit?

Generally yes, while the permit remains valid and provided you follow any occupation, medical or employer restrictions printed on it.

Can I change employers with an employer-specific permit?

Yes, but you generally need to apply for a new employer-specific work permit.

Can I start the new job after applying?

Not automatically. Wait for the new permit or request and receive written interim authorization from IRCC.

What is PPCHANGEWORK2020?

It is the priority code used in an IRCC Web Form request for temporary authorization to start a new employer or occupation while the new work permit application is processed.

How long does the interim authorization request take?

IRCC states that it should generally respond in about 10 to 15 days. Paper applications may take longer.

Is the authorization email my new work permit?

No. It is temporary authorization to work while IRCC processes the work permit application.

Does the new employer need an LMIA?

It depends on the job and immigration category. Some employers need a positive LMIA, while others may qualify for an LMIA exemption.

Does an LMIA-exempt employer need a new A-number?

In most employer-specific IMP cases, the new employer submits a new Employer Portal offer and provides a new A-number.

Can I reuse my previous employer’s A-number?

No. The new employer generally needs to submit a new offer connected to the new work permit application.

Can I change jobs with the same employer?

A materially different occupation, NOC, wage, duties or location may require a new offer and work permit conditions.

What happens if I lose my job?

You may remain in Canada until your status expires, but you cannot work for a new employer without appropriate authorization.

Can I work while waiting for restoration?

Generally no. A person who lost worker status normally must stop working until restoration and new work authorization are approved.

Final Thoughts

Changing employers on a Canadian work permit requires careful coordination between the worker and the new employer.

The employer must complete the appropriate LMIA or LMIA-exempt process before the worker submits the new application.

An employer-specific permit holder should not start the new job simply because an offer was received or an application was submitted.

Eligible workers can use the IRCC Web Form with the PPCHANGEWORK2020 code, but must wait for IRCC’s written authorization before beginning the new employment.

Last updated: July 2026