Open Work Permit

An open work permit grants authorization to work with any Canadian employer. It is not issued based on a specific job; therefore, you will not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Not everyone qualifies for an open work permit. Only in these situations you can be eligible for an open work permit:

• if you are a foreign national who apply through the Inland Spousal/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Category of the Family Class and have maintained legal status in Canada
• if you are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
• if you are a student who is no longer able to meet the costs of your studies (destitute student)
• if you have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to their job in Canada
• if you applied for permanent residence in Canada
• if you are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence
• if you are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student
• if you are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
• if you are a refugee, refugee claimant, a protected person or a family member
• if you are under an unenforceable removal order
• if you are a temporary resident permit holder
• if you are a young worker participating in special programs

Work Permit for Inland Spousal/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship

A foreign national may apply for an open work permit if they have been through the Inland Spousal/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Category of the Family Class and maintain legal status (visitor, worker, or student) in Canada before submitting their application.

You can apply for an open work permit if

• You are submitting an In-land Spousal Sponsorship – remember you will have to include the work permit application.
• Your permanent residence application has not been approved in principle.
• Or if your permanent residency application has been approved in principle.

The applicant will be able to work for the duration of their work permit while waiting for permanent residence.

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)

Foreign nationals who complete a post-secondary program in Canada offered by a Canadian institution may be eligible to apply for a one-time Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). A Post Graduation Work Permit will grant work authorization to work in Canada on a part-time or full-time basis upon completing your studies. A Post Graduate Work Permit can be issued for the same length as the study program or up to three years.

This work permit is not based on a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Spouse/Common-law partner Accompanying an International Student or Skilled Worker

Suppose you are the spouse or common-law partner of an International Student or Skilled Worker. In that case, you may qualify for an open work permit corresponding to the same period that your spouse will be studying or working in Canada.

Your spouse or common-law partner must have a valid study permit on a full-time basis or a valid work permit.

Suppose you are the dependent child of an International Student or Skilled Worker. In that case, the child will be issued a visa authorizing their stay in Canada for the same period as the principal applicant’s study permit or work permit. All dependent children younger than 18 years of age are authorized to pursue an education at the pre-school, primary, or secondary level of study.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada defines a “dependent child” as a person under the age of 22 years old without a spouse, partner, or a child of their own. A person over 22 years old may still be considered a dependent if they cannot financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.

A foreign temporary worker’s spouse or common-law partner must prove that their spouse has employment in Canada at a management level, professional occupation. The skill level of the principal temporary foreign worker’s job must be level 0, A or B, according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and your spouse is permitted to work in Canada for at least six (6) months.

Young Professionals

This program allows foreign nationals to obtain a work permit to gain experience with a specific employer in Canada. You do not get an open work permit under this category. To qualify under the Young Professional Category, you must obtain a job offer from a Canadian employer, and you must work for this employer during your stay in Canada. Please see below to see if your country of citizenship offers this program:

Contact us now and find out if you qualify for this program.