A Canada Open work permit is a type of work permit that allows foreign nationals to work for any employer in Canada. Foreign nationals do not need a job offer or a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply for a work permit. H1B visa holders with a Canada’s open work permit will be allowed to work in Canada for up to three years and bring their immediate families to Canada with them. It is an extremely popular choice for H-1B visa holder as the cap of 10,000 applications was reached within two days. This program helps attract highly skilled foreign workers to Canada and boosts economic growth.
The Canada open work visa is an excellent opportunity for H1B holders looking to expand their career opportunities or want to experience living and working in Canada. This program is also valuable for spouses and dependents of H-1B visa holders who want to apply for work and study permits in Canada.
Starting from July 16, 2023, U.S.-based H-1B workers and their immediate family members are eligible to apply for a Canada work permit of up to 3 years, which will enable them to explore employment opportunities with almost any Canadian employer. This permit allows applicants to work for any employer anywhere in Canada, opening up possibilities for expanding their professional networks and gaining valuable international career experience.
Family Members and Dependents of H1B visa holders may also be eligible for an open work permit in Canada. The following family members can also apply for an open work permit:
Canada offers four key pillars for US H-1B visa holders with a better sense of security and long-term prospects:
Pillar 1: 3-year Open work permits for H-1B’s and their immediate family members
Pillar 2: Innovation stream under the International Mobility program
Pillar 3: Canada is a destination filled with opportunities for Digital Nomads
Pillar 4: Boosting existing programs for High Skilled Tech workers
Below are the differences between a Canada open work permit and an H1-B visa:
| Difference | Canada Open Work Permit (OWP) | H-1B visa |
| Description | Allows anyone to work for any | A non-immigrant, temporary work visa that allows |
| Benefits | skilled workers, freelancers, students, | graduate-level foreign nationals |
| Job offer | Not mandatory | Mandatory to avail the visa |
| Eligibility | Relation to a Canadian worker or | Job offer, Education, Labor condition |
Here is the comparison of the life of H-1B’s in the USA and in U.S. H-1B’s in Canada
| Factors | H-1B’s in the U.S. | U.S. H-1B’s in Canada |
| Status | Temporary work visa for skilled workers | Acquire Permanent residency status |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| Duration | Up to 3 years initially, can be extended up to 6 years | Permanent residency does not expire, but a PR card needs to be renewed every 5 years. |
| Future | Uncertain. | Promising Future, especially for H-1B’s. |
| Eligibility | Employer sponsorship and job offer required | 67 points in Canada’s point’s grid. Job offer is NOT required. |
| Job Restrictions | Tied to a specific employer and job position | Free to work for any employer in any occupation |
| Dependents | Spouses and unmarried children can get H-4 visas | Spouses/common-law partners and dependent children can also get PR. |
| Education for Children | Education is affordable | Education is FREE. |
| Path to Citizenship | Can lead to a Green Card and eventual citizenship | Eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after 3 years. |
| Citizenship Timeline | Takes several years | Takes 3-5 years |
| Healthcare | Access to a universal healthcare system. | Free Healthcare for you and your family members. |
| Geographic Flexibility | Limited to working for the sponsoring employer and location | Live and work anywhere in Canada under any employer. |
| Cost | 7000$ – 9000$ | 2000$ – 2,300$ |
| Dependence on Job | Loss of employment can lead to visa expiration and potential deportation. | Independent of job, unless PR card renewal requirements are not met. No deportation. |
Steps to apply for Canada Open Work Permit for H-1B visa holder
Step 1: Check your eligibility for the visa
Step 2: Complete the application process
Step 3: Sort out the requirements
Step 4: Pay the application fee
Step 5: Wait for the visa processing
Step 6: Once approved, work in Canada
The processing time for an H-1B Canada Open work permit typically takes around 6-8 months or longer to process the Canada Open Work permit.
| Fees | $CAN |
| Applicant work permit | 155 |
| Biometrics | 85 |
| Spouse open work permit | 100 |
| Spouse Biometrics | 85 |
| Children | 150 |
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H-1B visa holders who wish to stay in Canada permanently can apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. The Express Entry system is a point-based system that assesses an applicant’s age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. H1-B visa holders who have gained Canadian work experience may be eligible for permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
Yes, spouses and dependents will also be eligible to apply for a temporary resident visa, with a work or study permit, as needed. A child above 3 years and below 18 years will be granted a Study Permit for up to 3 years.
The H-1B OPW Program is open to eligible holders of an H-1B visa living in the US. To be eligible, an applicant must:
The supporting documents include:
The processing time for the Canada Open work visa typically takes around 6-8 months. However, depending on the number of applications received, it may take longer.
