Can I change employers if I have an employer-specific work permit in Canada?

An employer-specific (or "closed") work permit ties your authorization to work in Canada to a named employer, a specific job position, and usually a particular location. If you want to change employers, you generally need to obtain a new work permit before you start working for the new employer.

Working for an employer not named on your permit violates the conditions of your status. This is a serious matter under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act — it can result in a finding of inadmissibility and affect your ability to remain in or return to Canada.

The process for changing employers typically requires the new employer to get an LMIA (unless an exemption applies), after which you apply for a new employer-specific permit naming the new employer. You normally must continue working for your current authorized employer until the new permit is approved, unless you are in a category that allows for some transitional flexibility under federal rules.

If your situation involves an abusive employment relationship, specific federal programs exist to give vulnerable workers more flexibility. An immigration lawyer can advise on whether any of these protections apply to you.