Master prompt
Work permit cover letter — LMIA / LMIA-exempt (Canada)
Cover letter for closed or open work permit applications. Supports the IMM 5710 narrative, names the LMIA or LMIA-exempt basis, and explains employer + NOC fit.
CanadaCover letterWork permitIMM 5710LMIAR200R203R205
You are drafting the cover letter that accompanies [CLIENT_NAME]'s Canadian work permit application (IMM 5710). The visa officer evaluates under:
- IRPR R200 - work permit issuance criteria
- IRPR R203 - LMIA-based work permits + employer compliance
- IRPR R205 / R207.1 - LMIA-exempt streams (the C, A, and W codes)
- IRPA s.20(1)(b) - will leave at end of authorised stay (subject to
dual intent under s.22(2))
Target length: 600-900 words. Address the letter to "IRCC Officer - Work
Permit Processing" and place it as the first document in the package.
CLIENT SNAPSHOT
- Applicant: [CLIENT_NAME] (passport [PASSPORT_NUMBER], UCI New applicant - no prior UCI)
- Permit basis: [PERMIT_BASIS]
- Employer + role: N/A - open work permit / N/A - open work permit
- Offer letter date: N/A
- LMIA / Offer number: [LMIA_OR_OFFER_NUMBER]
- Duration sought: [INTENDED_DURATION]
- Prior Canadian status: None
- Qualifications: [APPLICANT_QUALIFICATIONS]
- Risk flags: None
§1 - DRAFT THE COVER LETTER
Use this structure:
HEADER BLOCK
- Date
- "To: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada - Work Permit
Processing"
- Re: Application for [PERMIT_BASIS] - [CLIENT_NAME]
- Passport [PASSPORT_NUMBER] - UCI New applicant - no prior UCI
PARAGRAPH 1 - PURPOSE (50-70 words)
- One sentence stating the basis: e.g. "I am applying for a closed
work permit pursuant to IRPR R200, supported by LMIA
[LMIA_OR_OFFER_NUMBER] issued to N/A - open work permit for the position
of N/A - open work permit (NOC [code], TEER [level])."
- If LMIA-exempt: name the exemption code AND the policy rationale
(e.g. "C12 - intra-company transferee - executive transfer of an
employee with 12+ months continuous service at [parent company]")
- One sentence stating intended start date and duration [INTENDED_DURATION]
PARAGRAPH 2 - APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS (130-180 words)
- Education: degree, institution, year
- Professional credentials: certifications, registrations
- Work history: 2-3 most relevant roles with dates and key duties
- NOC fit: bridge each main duty in the NOC code to the applicant's
demonstrated experience. Quote 2-3 phrases from the NOC main-duties
list and pair each with one bullet of the applicant's matching
experience
- Reference attached: CV, transcripts, reference letters, professional
certifications
PARAGRAPH 3 - JOB OFFER + EMPLOYER CONTEXT (LMIA case) (120-160 words)
[Use this paragraph only if PERMIT_BASIS = LMIA-based closed WP]
- N/A - open work permit - one paragraph: industry, size, years operating,
relevance of the role
- LMIA: [LMIA_OR_OFFER_NUMBER] issued [date], positive determination
under R203 - genuine job offer + labour market need + wage offered
at or above prevailing
- Wage: CAD X / hour or CAD Y / year (matching LMIA)
- Compliance: confirm Employer Compliance Fee paid (CAD 230) - or note
it was paid by employer for LMIA
- Reference attached: signed offer letter, LMIA copy, business
registration of employer
PARAGRAPH 3 ALT - LMIA-EXEMPT JUSTIFICATION (120-180 words)
[Use this paragraph only if PERMIT_BASIS is LMIA-exempt]
- State the exemption code (e.g. C10 / C11 / C12 / A75 / W205) and
the policy authority (IRPR R205(a) / R205(b) / etc.)
- For C12 (ICT): show 12-month qualifying employment + executive /
managerial / specialised-knowledge category. Cite NOC.
- For C10 (significant benefit): articulate the social, cultural,
or economic benefit
- For C11 (entrepreneur): show 50%+ ownership + active management +
benefit
- For A75 (CUSMA - Canada-US-Mexico Professional): name the
Appendix 2 profession + match the applicant's qualifications
- Reference attached: Offer of Employment (A-number), supporting
docs (corporate registry, prior employment proof, professional
registration)
PARAGRAPH 3 ALT 2 - OPEN WORK PERMIT BASIS (120-150 words)
[Use this paragraph only if PERMIT_BASIS is an Open WP variant]
- Name the basis: PGWP (R205(c.1.1)) / Spousal Open WP (C41/C42/C46) /
BOWP under PDI (Bridging Open Work Permit) / Vulnerable Worker OWP
- For PGWP: confirm DLI + program duration + completion letter
- For Spousal Open WP: confirm principal applicant's stream + status
+ cohabitation / relationship evidence
- For BOWP: confirm pending PR application (AOR + stream)
- Reference attached: completion letter / spouse's permit + AOR /
PR application AOR
PARAGRAPH 4 - PRIOR CANADIAN HISTORY (60-90 words)
- None - state any prior visits, studies, work
authorisations
- Compliance record - confirm no overstays, no work without
authorisation, no failure to meet conditions
- If any flags (None): address them directly here
(see §3 below for guidance)
PARAGRAPH 5 - DUAL INTENT / DEPARTURE COMMITMENT (60-100 words)
- For TR work permits, address s.20(1)(b) under the dual-intent
framework of s.22(2): "I have applied for a work permit knowing
that future steps toward permanent residency are possible. I am
fully prepared to depart Canada at the end of my authorised stay
should permanent residency not be granted within that period."
- If the role is short-term and unlikely to lead to PR: stronger
home-country anchor + family ties
- Avoid overpromising; the goal is to satisfy s.20(1)(b) credibly
PARAGRAPH 6 - ENCLOSURES (40-60 words)
Numbered list of every supporting document attached. Standard pack:
1. Completed IMM 5710 (signed / e-signed)
2. IMM 5645 - Family Information
3. Passport biographical page + entry stamps
4. LMIA approval letter (or Offer of Employment with A-number)
5. Signed offer of employment
6. CV + reference letters + transcripts
7. Professional credentials (if applicable)
8. Proof of funds (4 months bank statements)
9. Police clearance certificate (if requested)
10. Biometrics confirmation receipt
11. Use of Representative (IMM 5476)
12. Payment receipt (CAD 155 + Open WP fee CAD 100 if applicable +
biometrics CAD 85)
PARAGRAPH 7 - CLOSING (30-50 words)
- One-line affirmation of truthful disclosure under IRPA s.16
- Representative contact (RCIC name + R-number)
- Signature block
§2 - VOICE + DISCIPLINE
- First person from [CLIENT_NAME] throughout
- No emojis. No exclamation marks
- Cite IRPR sections inline only where necessary (R200, R203, R205 with
sub-code) - too many citations look like an LLM artefact
- Wage figures: always in CAD + match the LMIA exactly
- NOC: always cite both code AND TEER level - IRCC requires both
- Dates: ISO format for IRCC dates; narrative form acceptable in prose
§3 - RISK FLAG TREATMENT
For each flag in None:
- Prior refusal (Canada or elsewhere): one sentence acknowledging the
refusal + one sentence stating what is materially different now
- Sibling / parent in Canada: acknowledge the family link + reinforce
the home-country anchor; cite dual intent if appropriate
- Single applicant under 30: lean harder on employer-specific reasons
for the role + post-permit return narrative
- Switching from study to work: confirm program completion + PGWP
eligibility OR transition basis
State each flag, the proposed treatment, and a 1-sentence draft of the
mitigation line for the cover letter.
§4 - OUTPUT FORMAT
1. The drafted cover letter (paragraphs as numbered above)
2. The risk-flag treatment table from §3
3. Variation note: identify the SINGLE paragraph 3 variant used and
mark it for consultant verification
End with: "DRAFT cover letter - for RCIC review. Confirm LMIA or LMIA-exempt code, current IRCC fee schedule, NOC code, and matching offer-letter language before submission. The wage stated must match the LMIA / Offer of Employment exactly. Verify employer compliance status on IRCC Employer Portal."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt