Provincial nominees eligible for LMIA-exempt work permits
Provincial nominees in Canada are able to apply for closed work permits exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) while their permanent residence (PR) applications are being processed. The measure enables nominees to begin or continue employment before receiving a final PR decision.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues these permits under exemption code T13 for workers supported by provincial nomination programs. The initiative applies across all provinces and territories participating in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), including the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
- Work permits are LMIA-exempt under code T13.
- Applicants must hold a valid provincial nomination and job offer.
- A provincial work permit support letter is required.
- Applications must be submitted before a nomination expires.
- Family members may qualify for open work permits under the International Mobility Program.
Overview of the LMIA-exempt permit for provincial nominees
The LMIA-exempt closed work permit allows nominees to work for their supporting employer while awaiting PR approval. It eliminates the need for an LMIA, which normally requires employers to demonstrate that no Canadian worker is available for the position.
Applicants must be nominated by a province or territory through a PNP stream and have a valid job offer from an employer located within that jurisdiction. They must also secure a letter of support from the provincial government confirming the employer’s urgent need for their services.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify under exemption code T13, nominees must have a valid nomination at the time of applying or proof that a PR application was submitted before the nomination expired. The job offer must be LMIA-exempt, full-time, and consistent with the details provided by the province. The employer must submit the offer through IRCC’s Employer Portal and pay the compliance fee.
Applications are ineligible if a nomination has lapsed before a PR application was filed or if the job offer is withdrawn. In cases where a nomination expired but a PR application was filed in time, the acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter from IRCC must be included as proof.
Required documentation
Applicants must provide a copy of the provincial confirmation of nomination letter, not a nomination certificate, as confirmation of their nomination status. This document verifies that the province or territory has nominated the applicant for permanent residence. IRCC may also verify this information directly with the nominating province.
A valid offer of employment submitted through the Employer Portal, proof of fee payment, and a provincial statement confirming the necessity of the LMIA exemption are also mandatory. The statement must demonstrate that the job offer is genuine, full-time, and provides adequate wages and working conditions to attract local workers.
Extending a work permit
Nominees can extend their work permits under certain conditions. Those renewing a permit with the same employer do not need to resubmit proof of nomination if their PR application was filed before the original nomination expired, but they must provide a new job offer. Applicants seeking to change employers must obtain a new job offer and a new provincial support letter. If a PR application has not yet been filed and the nomination has expired, a fresh nomination is required before a permit extension can be processed.
Open work permits for family members
Spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children of provincial nominees applying under code T13 can qualify for open work permits through the International Mobility Program. For eligibility, the principal nominee must hold or be applying for a position classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. The administrative codes used are C41 for spouses and common-law partners and C46 for dependent children.
Provincial work permit support letters
A provincial work permit support letter is mandatory for T13 applications. Each province and territory applies its own criteria and validity period—typically up to six months—when issuing these letters. Some jurisdictions charge fees for post-nomination support letter requests, such as Alberta, while others, including Prince Edward Island, do not.
The support letter confirms that the province considers the employment offer urgent and in line with its economic priorities. However, possession of a support letter does not guarantee the issuance of a work permit, as final approval rests with IRCC.
Relation to previous temporary policies
This LMIA-exempt pathway is separate from the temporary policy introduced by IRCC in August 2024 that allowed provincial nominee candidates to obtain open work permits. That policy concluded on December 31, 2025, and does not affect current applications under exemption code T13.
The LMIA-exempt work permit continues to serve as a key mechanism for ensuring that nominees can maintain employment continuity in the province that nominated them while awaiting permanent residence processing. It remains a central component of Canada’s broader strategy to align immigration pathways with regional labour market needs.
For continued updates on Canadian immigration programs and provincial nominee developments, readers can explore related coverage on national and regional PNP initiatives.