Canada prioritizes applicants in key jobs for faster work permits, i.e., Canada is giving faster work permit processing to people working in certain jobs that provide or support “essential services.” This helps employers fill important roles more quickly and supports Canada’s labour needs.
This faster processing applies to employer-specific work permits, including but not limited to:
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permits
- Francophone Mobility Work Permits
- International Experience Canada (IEC) work permits
This article explains which jobs qualify for faster work permit processing, how eligible workers can benefit, and how these jobs connect to category-based selection under Express Entry.
Jobs That Qualify For Faster Work Permit Processing
The essential jobs listed below qualify for priority processing, along with their National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes.
These jobs are mostly in sectors where Canada has long-term worker shortages and needs more people to fill important roles.
Healthcare Occupations
| Occupation Title | NOC Code |
| Nursing coordinators and supervisors | 31300 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 |
| Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 |
| Specialists in surgery | 31101 |
| Police investigators and other investigative occupations | 41310 |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 |
| Nurse practitioners | 31302 |
| Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals | 31303 |
| Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 |
| Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating | 31209 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 |
| Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 |
| Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 |
| Medical radiation technologists | 32121 |
| Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists | 32123 |
| Licensed practical nurses | 32101 |
| Paramedical occupations | 32102 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 |
Agriculture And Agri-Food Occupations
| Occupation Title | NOC Code |
| Butchers – Retail and wholesale | 63201 |
| Meat cutters and fishmongers – Retail and wholesale | 65202 |
| Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors | 82030 |
| Livestock labourers | 85100 |
| Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators | 84120 |
| Harvesting labourers | 85101 |
| Nursery and greenhouse labourers | 85103 |
| Fish and seafood plant workers | 94142 |
| Labourers in food and beverage processing | 95106 |
| Labourers in fish and seafood processing | 95107 |
| Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers | 94141 |
How Eligible Workers Can Get Faster Processing?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not offer a separate stream for this priority processing. Instead, faster processing happens based on how the work permit application is completed.
To qualify, the worker must apply for an employer-specific work permit in one of the listed occupations. The job must match one of IRCC’s priority NOC codes.
In practice, applicants should:
- Use the exact NOC code that matches the job offer. This is the NOC code the employer used in the Employer Portal offer of employment or on the LMIA, if one is required.
- Enter only that NOC code in the work permit form’s “Job title” field under Details of intended work in Canada (“Box 4” on the PDF form).
- Make sure all documents match, including the job offer or LMIA, job duties, and the NOC code, so the application is routed correctly.
This process usually does not apply to open work permits, such as post-graduation work permits or International Experience Canada Working Holiday permits. These permits are not tied to one employer or job, so they do not qualify for this priority processing.
Do These Workers Have Better Chances Of Permanent Residence?
Workers in these occupations may find it easier to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence if they qualify under Express Entry.
Some of the jobs on the priority work permit list are also included in Express Entry’s occupation-based categories. Candidates with valid Express Entry profiles who gain at least six months of work experience in these occupations, either in Canada or abroad, may receive an ITA with lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores compared to other applicants.
Among the healthcare occupations listed for priority work permit processing, all are included in the healthcare Express Entry category, except for Police investigators and other investigative occupations (41310).
Among the Agriculture and agri-food occupations listed for priority work permit processing, only one is included in the related Express Entry category—Butchers—Retail and wholesale (63201).
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
