A promotion, reassignment, remote-work change or move to a new company can be exciting. For a temporary foreign worker in Canada, it can also raise an important immigration question: does the new work still match the conditions of your work permit?
This checklist is designed for developers, engineers, product professionals and other technology workers who are considering a change in duties, title, employer or work location.
1. Identify the type of work permit you hold
Start by reading the conditions printed on your current permit.
- Open work permit: generally allows work for most eligible employers, subject to any printed restrictions.
- Employer-specific work permit: normally limits you to the named employer and may also specify an occupation and location.
IRCC explains the difference and the rules for extending or changing work authorization in its work permit guidance.
2. Compare the real duties, not only the job title
A new title does not tell the whole story. Compare:
- day-to-day duties;
- level of responsibility;
- occupation or NOC classification;
- salary and working conditions;
- work location; and
- the legal employer named on your documents.
A promotion from developer to team lead, for example, may remain close to the original occupation—or it may introduce substantially different management duties. The facts matter. A typo is different from a genuine change in employment conditions; IRCC has separate guidance for amending immigration documents.
3. Check whether the legal employer is changing
A move between teams under the same legal corporation is not automatically the same as moving to a different company. Compare the employer name on your permit, offer letter and payroll records.
If an employer-specific permit names one company, you generally cannot simply begin working for another company. IRCC’s Help Centre explains what to do when changing jobs or employers.
4. Treat location and remote-work changes carefully
A remote arrangement can involve several different facts: where you physically work, which office employs you, whether you work from another province, and whether you leave Canada. Review the conditions printed on your permit and do not assume that “remote” makes location irrelevant. IRCC also answers common questions about working remotely while in Canada.
5. Do not start changed work too early
If new authorization is required, submitting an application does not always mean you can immediately begin the new role. IRCC publishes a specific process for some employer-specific permit holders who need permission to start a new job while their application is processed. Follow the current change jobs or employers instructions, including any required web-form steps. If employment ends, review IRCC’s guidance on losing your job while holding a work permit.
6. Keep a clear evidence file
Save copies of:
- your current work permit;
- old and new offer letters;
- detailed job descriptions;
- employer legal names and addresses;
- pay records;
- relevant LMIA or offer-of-employment information, if applicable;
- application receipts and IRCC messages; and
- the date you are expected to start the changed role.
A practical decision sequence
- Read every condition on your current permit.
- Identify the legal employer.
- Compare old and new duties, occupation and location.
- Check current IRCC rules for your permit category.
- Confirm whether a new application or separate permission is required.
- Obtain written immigration advice before starting if the facts are unclear or a deadline is close.
A job change can affect more than the work permit itself. It may also interact with permanent-residence plans, employer-supported applications and a spouse’s immigration status.
For advice about your circumstances, contact Titanium Law Professional Corporation or call +1 778-683-8110.
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules and program instructions can change. Verify current government guidance and obtain advice about your specific facts before acting.
AI disclosure: AI-assisted tools supported drafting and formatting. The article was reviewed for factual accuracy against the linked Government of Canada sources on November 16, 2026.
