{"id":2581,"date":"2026-11-13T16:45:50","date_gmt":"2026-11-13T16:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/change-employer-closed-work-permit\/"},"modified":"2026-11-13T16:45:50","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T16:45:50","slug":"change-employer-closed-work-permit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/change-employer-closed-work-permit\/","title":{"rendered":"How to change employers on a closed (employer-specific) work permit"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 13, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2024, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 13, 2026: IRCC’s work permit rules and its February 2026 vulnerable worker instructions checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The usual route:<\/strong> a new employer gets an LMIA or makes an LMIA-exempt offer, and you apply for a new employer-specific permit.<\/p>\n

If you’re being abused:<\/strong> the open work permit for vulnerable workers lets you leave without a new job offer.<\/p>\n

Timing:<\/strong> keep your current permit valid while you change. Why a lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n

Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Our immigration lawyers<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PrabhpreetPrabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
\n

Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.<\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a><\/strong> focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

A closed, or employer-specific, work permit only lets you work for the employer named on it. To change jobs, you normally need a new permit for the new employer, usually based on a new LMIA or an LMIA-exempt job offer. If you need to leave because your employer is abusing you, the open work permit for vulnerable workers is a separate and faster route that doesn’t need a new job offer.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares open work permit applications for vulnerable workers, from the letter of explanation and evidence to refusals and Federal Court reviews; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.<\/p>\n

Your routes<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Changing employers on a closed permit<\/caption>\n
Route<\/th>\nWhat it needs<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
New employer-specific permit<\/td>\nA new employer, an LMIA (or an LMIA-exempt offer), and a new permit application from inside Canada<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Open work permit for vulnerable workers<\/td>\nAbuse or risk of abuse in your current job, and a valid employer-specific permit; see the vulnerable worker open work permit<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Another open work permit<\/td>\nFor example, as the spouse of an eligible worker or student<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Changing with a new LMIA<\/h2>\n

The new employer applies for the LMIA. Once it is approved, you apply for a new permit. Low-wage LMIAs are limited in some BC regions; see the low-wage LMIA freeze in BC<\/a>. Ask us whether you can start the new job before the new permit is issued; working for a new employer without authorization can cause serious problems.<\/p>\n

Keep your current permit valid<\/h2>\n

Apply for the new permit before your current one expires so you stay on maintained status.<\/p>\n

Why this needs a lawyer<\/h2>\n

One lawyer, one file, every step:<\/strong><\/p>\n