IRCC Form IMM 1295: Fillable PDF
Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Apply for a Canadian work permit from outside Canada.
Reviewed July 2026
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How it works
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Download the form. Save the official PDF to your device.
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Open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader and fill in each field. Browsers show a placeholder page for this form type.
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Save and submit the completed form following the official instructions.
Form IMM 1295, Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada, is the form foreign workers use to apply for a Canadian work permit before entering the country. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses it to link your application to a job offer and to assess your admissibility.
Like most IRCC application forms, IMM 1295 is a dynamic XFA PDF that will not render in a web browser. Download the form from this page, save it locally, and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on a desktop computer to fill it in. Below you will find who uses the form, a section-by-section overview, and submission tips.
What is IMM 1295 used for
IMM 1295 is the principal form for employer-specific and open work permit applications made from outside Canada. It captures your personal history, the job you are coming to do, and the numbers that tie your application to your employer's paperwork.
Depending on the stream, that paperwork is either a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment number that your employer obtains through the IRCC employer portal.
Who files IMM 1295
Workers outside Canada complete this form. If you are already in Canada and want to extend or change a work permit, use Form IMM 5710 instead.
- Workers with a job offer supported by a positive LMIA.
- Workers in LMIA-exempt categories, such as intra-company transferees or applicants under international trade agreements, whose employer has submitted an offer of employment through the employer portal.
- Applicants for open work permits available from abroad, such as some spousal categories, where no job offer is required.
- Participants in International Experience Canada follow their own process; check the IEC instructions before assuming this form applies.
How to fill out IMM 1295
Complete the downloaded form in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Fields appear and disappear based on earlier answers, so go in order and save your progress regularly.
Finish by clicking the Validate button, which checks mandatory fields and generates barcode pages. Submit the validated version and leave the barcodes untouched.
- Personal details, languages, passport, and national identity document sections mirror the other IRCC temporary residence forms.
- Details of intended work in Canada: your employer's name and address, your job title and duties, the work location, and the duration of the offer.
- LMIA number or offer of employment number: enter the exact number from your employer; a mismatch here is a common cause of returned applications.
- Education and employment history: prior jobs relevant to the position help show you can do the work.
- Background questions: health, prior refusals or removals, criminal history, and military service. Answer honestly; misrepresentation carries a ban of several years.
Filing tips
Most applicants submit online through the IRCC account with the validated PDF and supporting documents. Check the current fee on the IRCC fee list, including the open work permit holder fee if it applies to your category, and plan for biometrics.
- IRCC forms are version-pinned; confirm on the official IMM 1295 page that your download is the current version before submitting.
- Attach the family information form (IMM 5645) and any documents on your visa office checklist, such as proof of qualifications or a CAQ for Quebec.
- Make sure the job details you enter match the LMIA or offer of employment exactly.
- If your case involves inadmissibility concerns or a past refusal, a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer can review your application before you file.
Frequently asked questions
IMM 1295 is a dynamic XFA PDF. Browsers and lightweight viewers show only a placeholder page, so save the file and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on a desktop computer to access the form.
An LMIA number comes from a labour market impact assessment issued by ESDC for LMIA-required jobs. An offer of employment number, which starts with the letter A, is generated when an employer submits an LMIA-exempt offer through the IRCC employer portal. Your application needs whichever one matches your stream.
No. Applicants inside Canada use Form IMM 5710, Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada as a Worker.
Check the current fee on the IRCC fee list. Open work permit applicants pay an additional privilege fee, and most applicants also pay for biometrics.
Spouses and children may be eligible for their own visitor, study, or work status, and eligibility rules change over time. Review the current IRCC guidance for family members of workers, and get advice from an RCIC or lawyer if your situation is not straightforward.
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