Open Work Permits

Open Work Permits

A work permit is an authorization for a foreign national to work in Canada. So any foreign nationals who wish to work in Canada must first obtain a work permit. However, there are also certain exemptions to this requirement.

While a work permit is a legal document that allows a foreign national to work in Canada, an open work permit is not tied to a single employer or location. It simply means that a foreign worker who holds an open work permit is allowed to work for multiple employers, anywhere in Canada. At the same time, certain open work permits come with additional requirements and restrictions, which must be respected by their holders.

Canada issues open work permits through the following immigration programs:

• Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
• International Experience Canada (IEC)
• Inland Spousal or Common-Law Sponsorship
• Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP)

A Labour Market Impact Assessment is not necessary for open work permits.

Benefits of an Open Work Permit

Compared to normal work permits, open work permits give a lot of freedom to the holder. While a foreign national with a normal work permit has to work for a specific employer, an open work permit holder can work for any Canadian employer at any location in Canada as they please. With an open work permit, the holder may acquire valuable Canadian work experience with which they can apply for permanent residence in the country. A foreign worker with Canadian work experience can apply for permanent residence in Canada under the following Canada immigration pathways:

Express Entry

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
• Quebec Immigration

However, open work permit holders cannot accept employment from employers who are listed as ineligible for not complying with the regulations of IRCC and those who regularly offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages.

Eligibility

Foreign nationals belonging to the categories below may apply for an open work permit:

• Spouses/common-law partners of temporary foreign workers belonging to certain categories
• Spouses/common-law partners of international students(subject to certain criteria)
• International students graduated from a designated program of study in Canada(subject to certain criteria)
• Those who have applied for Canada PR through the inland spousal sponsorship process
• Young workers participating in programs offered through International Experience Canada (IEC)(subject to certain criteria)
• Refugees/protected persons and their family /refugee claimants