Qualifying Provincial Nominees Can Gain LMIA-Exempt Work Permit

Provincial nominees may now apply for a special closed work permit that allows them to start working in Canada before their permanent residence application receives final approval. This permit also helps some nominees extend their current work authorization.

The work permit falls under LMIA exemption code T13. Because of this exemption, employers do not need to complete the Labour Market Impact Assessment process.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify, applicants must first receive a nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The nomination must still be valid, or the applicant must show proof that they submitted their permanent residence application before the nomination expired.

Applicants also need a valid job offer from an employer in the same province that nominated them. In addition, the province must issue a work permit support letter confirming that the employer urgently requires the nominee’s services before permanent residence is finalized.

Immigration officers will refuse applications if the nomination expires before the person applies for permanent residence, or if the nomination gets paused. This can happen if the job offer is withdrawn or if the province conducts an investigation.

If a nominee already applied for permanent residence and their nomination later expired, they must include a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt letter with their work permit application.

Required Documents

Applicants must provide several key documents.

They need a confirmation of nomination letter from the province. Officers will not ask for a nomination certificate because provinces do not issue those directly to nominees.

Employers must submit the LMIA-exempt job offer through the Employer Portal and pay a $230 compliance fee. The job offer details must match the information in the provincial support letter.

The province must also confirm that the job is genuine, full-time, and permanent. Wages and working conditions must match Canadian standards. The province must clearly state that the nominee is urgently needed.

What About Work Permit Extensions?

Nominees who want to renew their work permit with the same employer do not need to show proof of nomination again if they already applied for permanent residence before the nomination expired. However, they must provide a new job offer.

If they change employers, they must secure a new job offer and a new provincial support letter.

If a nominee lets their nomination expire before applying for permanent residence, they must obtain a new nomination before extending their permit.

Open Work Permits for Family Members

Spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children may qualify for open work permits while the principal applicant transitions to permanent residence.

To qualify, the nominee must work in a skilled occupation under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Spouses apply under code C41, while dependent children apply under code C46.

About Support Letters

A work permit support letter remains essential. Without it, applicants cannot use the LMIA exemption under code T13.

Each province sets its own rules for issuing support letters. Some charge a service fee, while others do not. The validity of these letters usually lasts up to six months.

Applicants should understand that holding a support letter does not guarantee work permit approval.

This process differs from the temporary public policy introduced in August 2024, which offered open work permits to provincial nominee candidates. That policy ended on December 31, 2025.