Work is define as an activity in Canadian Immigration regulations for which remuneration is earned or that competes directly with activities of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the Canadian labor market. Generally, individuals who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada require a valid work permit to work in Canada. However, foreign workers can do some jobs in Canada without a work permit.

Work visas and employment authorizations are known as work permits in Canada. A work permit is a document issued by officials of the Canadian Government that allows a foreign individual to work at a specific job for a specific employer. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), a department of the Canadian Government, issues work permits.