Most Pakistanis working in Canada need an employer-specific work permit, backed by a job offer and usually a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). You apply online to IRCC from Pakistan and give biometrics at a VAC. The permit ties you to the employer, job and location it lists.
Validity / stayValid until the expiry date on the permit; you may only work for the employer, in the job and at the location listed.
Official fees (approx.)PKR 47,309
Documents13 items
You need a job offer from an employer who is not on IRCC's non-compliant list. For most jobs, the employer must first get a positive LMIA and give you the LMIA letter, a job offer letter and a contract. For LMIA-exempt jobs, the employer gives you an offer of employment number instead. You must also prove you have enough money for yourself and your family, show you will leave when the permit expires, and be admissible (medical and police checks if asked).
The Islamabad visa office also requires your CNIC, a contract on company letterhead, your academic records, proof of current and past employment, proof of ties to Pakistan, and police certificates. Some jobs have extra requirements: nurses and doctors need licensing letters, and truck drivers need a licence and a questionnaire.
How to apply
- The employer gets the LMIA or submits the job offer, then sends you the documents.
- Apply online through your IRCC account with the IMM 1295 details and supporting documents.
- Pay the work permit and biometrics fees, then give biometrics at the VAC.
- If approved, you get a letter, and the permit itself is issued at the Canadian border.
Other fees and options (not included in the fee total):
- Employer compliance fee (paid by employer, LMIA-exempt offers): 230 CAD
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This summary is for guidance. Requirements can change at short notice; always confirm on the official website before you apply.
Common refusal reasons & how to avoid them
Not satisfied you will leave Canada (IRPR 179(b))
IRPR 179(b) says an officer issues a temporary resident visa only if satisfied you will leave Canada by the end of your authorised stay. Weak ties, limited travel history, unclear purpose, or a financial situation that does not fit the trip are the usual reasons officers are not satisfied.
How to fix it: Order your GCMS notes through an access to information request to see the officer's exact reasoning. Address each concern with new evidence: employer letter with approved leave, business records, tax returns, property and family documents. Build travel history elsewhere if possible. Include a letter of explanation covering purpose, dates, who pays, and why you will return. Reapply only when the evidence has actually improved.
Insufficient funds for the stay
IRCC requires visitors to have enough money for their stay and return. If bank statements are thin, show recent unexplained deposits, or a host's support is not documented, the officer cannot be sure you can support yourself, and this also feeds doubts about whether you will leave on time.
How to fix it: Provide six months of bank statements, salary slips and FBR tax returns so the officer sees a stable pattern. If a host in Canada supports you, include their invitation letter, proof of status in Canada, employment letter, notice of assessment and address. Explain any large deposits with documents. Show a realistic budget for flights, accommodation and daily costs that fits the length of your stay.
Family ties in Canada outweigh ties at home
Officers compare your family ties in Canada with those in Pakistan. If your parents, spouse or children live in Canada and fewer close family remain at home, the officer may think you have more reason to stay than to return, and refuse under IRPR 179(b).
How to fix it: Show your ties at home clearly: spouse and children in Pakistan, parents you care for, your job or business, and property. Explain in your letter why you must return by a certain date. Keep the visit a reasonable length for the occasion. If relatives in Canada have hosted visitors before who returned on time, mention it with evidence. Be honest about every family member's status.
Purpose of visit not consistent with temporary stay
If your travel plans, length of stay or documents suggest that you may study, work or settle rather than simply visit, IRCC concludes the purpose is not consistent with a temporary stay. Very long trips, vague plans, or contacts with employers can all create this impression.
How to fix it: Explain the exact purpose and dates of your visit in a letter of explanation, and attach supporting evidence such as an invitation, event details, conference registration or a day-by-day itinerary. Keep the length of stay appropriate for the purpose. If your real aim is to study or work, apply for the correct study or work permit instead of a visitor visa. Make sure every document tells the same story.
Misrepresentation (IRPA section 40)
Section 40 of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act treats directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts as misrepresentation. Failing to declare a previous refusal from any country is a common example. A finding makes you inadmissible to Canada for five years.
How to fix it: Always answer yes to previous refusal questions if you have ever been refused a visa or entry by any country, and give details. If you receive a procedural fairness letter alleging misrepresentation, respond fully and honestly within the deadline, ideally with help from a licensed consultant or lawyer. If a finding has been made, wait until the five-year period ends and then apply with complete disclosure.
Not satisfied as a genuine student (IRPR 216)
IRPR 216 requires the officer to be satisfied you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised study period and that you meet study permit requirements. A weak study plan, a course unrelated to your background, unexplained gaps or unclear finances are common reasons for refusal.
How to fix it: Write a clear study plan explaining why this programme, this institution and Canada, how it builds on your previous education and work, and what job you expect in Pakistan afterwards. Show funds for tuition and living costs held over time. Explain any study gaps with evidence. Request your GCMS notes to understand the detailed reasons before you reapply with genuinely stronger evidence.
Check your own risk
