Canada Open Work Permit Visa

Canada is one of the most sought-after places to work and migrate to. The Canadian job market is booming, with numerous job opportunities across various in-demand job sectors. Foreign skilled immigrants willing to work in Canada must apply for a Canadian Work Permit. Canada offers two types of work permits. They are:

• Open Work Permit
• Closed Work Permit

While a Closed Work Permit binds you to one employer, occupation, and location, an Open Work Permit in Canada lets you explore the job market and work under any employer from any location in the country. A Canadian Open work permit holder can take up employment under multiple Canadian employers anywhere in the country.

 

Benefits of Open Work Permit

The benefits of an Open Work Permit are mentioned below:

• Freedom to work for any occupation or any location in Canada
• No job offer required to apply
• No LMIA approval required
• Earn up to CAD 60,000 per year
• Enjoy 25 paid leaves annually
• Access to the robust Canadian job market

 

Types of Open Work Permits

Canada offers freedom to open work permit holders to work for any Canadian employer without having to change their work permit while switching jobs. Open work permits are advantageous to the Canadian job market, and labor market needs as it attracts versatile, skilled workers to migrate and work in Canada.

The country offers two types of Open Work Permits, which include:

• Unrestricted Open Work Permit: This permit allows a foreign immigrant to take up employment in any job role, under any employer, and in any location in Canada. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements mentioned below are eligible to apply for the unrestricted Open Work Permit in Canada:
  • Have passed the medical tests
  • Have no other means of support or belong to some specific group of PR applicants living in Canada

Note: Exceptions are allowed for certain groups of PR applicants.

• Occupation-restricted Open Work Permit: This permit allows foreign workers to work under any employer provided that the job role or the occupation specified in the work permit is same while switching jobs. Healthcare professionals are exempted from applying for this type of open work permit in Canada. Candidates who have not cleared the medical tests can apply for occupation-restricted open work permit in Canada. Occupation-restricted work permit holders are not allowed to take up employment in the following sectors:
  • Primary or secondary school teaching
  • Childcare
  • Health services

Nationals from certain countries are not required to provide medical test results to enter Canada. If you belong to a country that does require medical test results, then you cannot apply for farming jobs as an occupation-restricted open work permit holder in Canada.

 

Specific Categories of Open Work Permits in Canada

Canadian Open Work permits are issued by the following immigration streams:

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): This type of work permit is given to foreign students who hold a graduation degree from a Canadian university. PGWP holders can work under any Canadian employer for any amount of time from any location in Canada. The Visa is validity of eight months to up to 3 years depending on the job role and profile of the student. PGWP offers an excellent way of obtaining Canadian work experience which can help while applying for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada.
• Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP): This type of permit is given to spouses of students, employees, or PR applicants in Canada. It allows the visa holder to work in any Canadian location and under any employer, but with a few restrictions. Spouses migrating to Canada on sponsorship are also eligible to apply for this type of work permit.
• International Experience Canada (IEC): Canada offers a set of visa programs that enable young nationals from certain countries to migrate and work temporarily in Canada. IEC has three separate programs, which include:
  • Working Holiday: Eligible candidates qualify for an open work permit in Canada
  • Young Professionals: Eligible candidates can get an employer-specific work permit in Canada
  • International Co-op Internship: Eligible candidates can get an employer-specific work permit to work for internships in Canada
• Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP): This type of work permit is issued to foreign nationals who have already applied for Canada PR and are waiting for their application to be approved. BOWP holders get an open work permit, which allows them to work in Canada while waiting for PR approval.

 

Eligibility Requirements for Canada Open Work Permits

Canadian Open Work Permits can be obtained from the different immigration streams offered by the country. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of Open Work Permit and the immigration stream chosen by the applicant. However, certain requirements are common to all kinds of Open Work Permit in Canada.

You would be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit in Canada if you:

• Provide proof of legal residence in your home country
• Have proof of identity and civil status
• Have cleared the medical tests (varies country-wise)
• Have no criminal background
• Have sufficient financial resources
• Intend to leave Canada after the work permit expires

 

Who can apply for an Open Work permit in Canada?

Candidates who meet at least one of the following conditions can apply for an Open Work Permit in Canada

• A legal resident of Canada or your home country
• A PR applicant in Canada
• An immigrant residing in Canada for humanitarian reasons
• Students and young workers participating in certain exchange programs
• Immediate family members of people employed in the Canadian army or foreign representatives in Canada 
• Professional sportsperson
• Spouses of skilled immigrants working in Canada
• Spouses of international students
• Canadian work Permit holders who have applied for Canada PR via:
  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CRC)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Spouse or Common Law Partner of a PR can apply if:

• The applicant's spouse or partner is a citizen of Canada or a Canada PR holder
• The applicant and the spouse share the same residence
• The applicant has a temporary Resident status at the time of application

 

Specific requirements for different types of Open Work Permits

Different types of Open Work Permits have separate eligibility requirements. The specific requirements and eligibility criteria for various types of Canada Open Work Permits are mentioned below:

 

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

You would be eligible to apply for PGWP if you:

• At least 18 years old
• Were enrolled in a full-time study program in Canada for a minimum of eight months
• Have been enrolled at a Canadian DLI under one of the following programs:
  • Public  post-secondary schools such as a technical school, college or a university, or CEGEP in Quebec
  • Private post-secondary schools operating under the same rules as public school
  • Private school in Canada that awards degrees under provincial law
  • Private secondary or post-secondary schools in Quebec offering programs which are longer than 900 hours
• Have completed your study program not more than 180 days ago

 

International Experience Canada (IEC)

Each visa program under the International Experience Canada (IEC) has its own set of eligibility criteria. You would be eligible to apply for the visa programs under the IEC if you belong from a country that has a bilateral agreement with Canada.

The table below lists the countries that participate in various IEC programs:

Country	Working Holiday	Young professionals	International Co-Op Internships
Andorra	Yes	No	No
Australia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Austria	Yes	Yes	Yes
Belgium	Yes	No	No
Chile	Yes	Yes	Yes
Costa Rica	Yes	Yes	Yes
Croatia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Czech Republic	Yes	Yes	Yes
Denmark	Yes	No	No
Estonia	Yes	Yes	Yes
France	Yes	Yes	Yes
Germany	Yes	Yes	Yes
Greece	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hong Kong	Yes	No	No
Ireland	Yes	Yes	Yes
Italy	Yes	No	No
Japan	Yes	No	No
Korea, Rep.	Yes	No	No
Latvia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lithuania	Yes	Yes	Yes
Luxembourg	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mexico	Yes	Yes	Yes
Netherlands	Yes	Yes	No
New Zealand	Yes	No	No
Norway	Yes	Yes	Yes
Poland	Yes	Yes	Yes
Portugal	Yes	Yes	Yes
San Marino	Yes	No	No
Slovakia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Slovenia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Spain	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sweden	Yes	Yes	Yes
Switzerland	No	Yes	Yes
Taiwan	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ukraine	Yes	Yes	Yes
United Kingdom	Yes	No	No

 

Working Holiday Visa Eligibility

You can apply for the Working Holiday Visa if you:

• Are a citizen of the countries that qualify for the IEC program
• Are aged between 18 and 30 years
• Are outside Canada while applying for the Visa
• Have a valid passport
• Have a minimum bank balance of CAD 2500  to support your initial expenses
• Are admissible to Canada
• Have return flight tickets prior to departure
• Pay the work permit application fee of CAD 172
• Have sufficient health insurance coverage
• Are not accompanied by dependents

 

Young Professionals Visa Eligibility

You can apply for the Young professionals if you:

• Have a valid job offer in Canada for a paid position contributing to their professional development
• Have a job offer which is listed under NOC skill type 0, A, or B
• intend to work for the same employer at the same location while you are in Canada

 

International Co-op Internship Eligibility

You can apply for the International Co-op Internship if you:

• Are registered at a post-secondary educational institute outside of Canada
• Have a valid placement or internship offer in Canada
• Intend to work for the same employer at the same location while staying in Canada

 

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)

You would be eligible to apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) if:

• Your spouse is a Canadian citizen or a PR holder
• Your spouse is a Canadian work permit holder or a foreign student in Canada
• Your spouse is employed in the armed forces of Canada
• Your spouse is a foreign representative posted in Canada

The table below has the details of other requirements for SOWP based on the status of your spouse in Canada:

Category	Principal applicant's occupational skill level requirement	Minimum work permit length
Spouses or common-law partners of Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) work permit holders	TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3	6 months
Spouses or common-law partners of Quebec selection certificate (CSQ) holders	Any occupational skill level	6 months
Spouses or common-law partners of provincial nominees	Any occupational skill level	6 months
Spouses or common-law partners of bridging open work permit (BOWP) holders	Varies depending on the program the principal applicant applies under	6 months
Spouses or common-law partners of open work permit holders other than BOWP (incl. PGWP, IEC)	TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3	-

 

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

You would be eligible to apply for BOWP if you:

• Are a legal temporary resident of Canada
• Are a PR applicant under any of the following programs:
  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CRC)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
  • Agri-Food Pilot (AFP)
  • Quebec Skilled Worker Class (QSWC)
• Have cleared the section R10 completeness check
• Have a valid Canadian work permit with a temporary Resident status or
• Have applied for a work permit renewal and are waiting for approval

 

Canada Open Work Permit Restrictions

Your Canadian Open Work Permit may have the following restrictions:

• Type of employment you can take up
• Specific medical tests you are required to take (depending on your country of residence)
• The location from where you can work
• PNP candidates may be allowed to work only within the specific Canadian province
• Occupation-restricted open work permit holders are restricted to take up employment in :
  • Childcare services
  • Healthcare services
  • Primary or secondary school teaching

 

How to apply for a Canadian Work Permit

You can apply for a Canadian Open Work Permit online from the official website of IRCC. The application process varies depending on whether you are applying from within Canada or from outside Canada.

Applying from inside Canada

You can apply from inside Canada only if you:

• Are an accompanying family member or a citizen of Ukraine
• Have a valid work permit or study permit
• Are eligible for a PGWP while your student visa is still valid
• Have a temporary Resident permit valid for a minimum of 6 months
• Are waiting for your PR application to be approved
• Have claimed for refugee protection
• Have been identified as a convention refugee or protected person by the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board
• Are allowed to work in Canada under special circumstances
• Are an investor, trader, or professional under the Canada-United States –Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
• Have been sent to Canada as an intra-company transferee under CUSMA

Applicants meeting one of the above mentioned conditions can are eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit from within Canada.

 

Applying from outside Canada

The application process for applicants outside Canada varies depending on the country they are applying from. IRCC is prioritizing work permits for certain workers employed associated with the job roles listed in the table below:

NOC Codes	Occupation
31300	Nursing coordinators and supervisors
31301	Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
31100	Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
31101	Specialists in surgery
31102	General practitioners and family physicians
31302	Nurse practitioners
31303	Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
32103	Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
31209	Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
31120	Pharmacists
32120	Medical laboratory technologists
33101	Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
32121	Medical radiation technologists
32123	Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
32101	Licensed practical nurses
32102	Paramedical occupations
33102	Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
41301	Police investigators and other investigative occupations
63201	Butchers – retail and wholesale
65202	Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
82030	Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
85100	Livestock labourers
84120	Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85101	Harvesting labourers
85103	Nursery and greenhouse labourers
94142	Fish and seafood plant workers
95106	Labourers in food and beverage processing
95107	Labourers in fish and seafood processing
94141	Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers

 

Step-by-step Application Process

The following are the steps to apply for a Canadian Open Work Permit:

Step 1: Check your eligibility for the type of open work permit you can apply for

Step 2: Gather all the documents required according to the checklist

Step 3: Fill out the online application form

Step 4: Complete the fee payment

Step 5: Apply for an Open Work Permit

Step 6: Fly to Canada upon approval

 

Canada Open Work Permit Visa: Required Documents and Fees

The following are the documents required to apply for a Canada Open Work Permit:

• A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date you arrive in Canada, along with photocopies
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• Employment contracts
• Proof of nationality and civil status
• Updated resume or CV
• Academic qualifications and certificates
• Medical test results
• Police clearance certificates
• Certificate of marriage (if applicable)
• Certificate d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) (if working in Quebec)
• Other documents specified by the Consulate of Canada

You will also be required to submit the following forms depending on the type of Open Work permit you have chosen:

• IMM 1295 (if applying from outside Canada)
• Schedule 1: Application for Temporary Resident Visa
• IMM 5409- Statutory Declaration Form (if applicable)
• IMM 5645- Family Information Form
• IMM 5475- Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (if applicable) 
• IMM 5476- Use of Representative Form (if applicable)

The table below has the breakdown of fees for Canadian Open Work Permit:

Type of fees	Amount (in CAD)
Initial Work Permit application fee	$155
Open Work Permit	$100
Biometric fee	$85
Total	$340

 

Canada Open Work Permit Visa: Processing times and Decision Notifications

The processing time for Canada Open Work Permit varies on the type of open work permit chosen. The table below has the details of the processing time for different types of Open Work Permits in Canada:

Type of Open Work Permit	Processing time
Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)	3 to 5 months
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)	1 to 4 months
IEC Working holiday	4 to 5 weeks
IEC Young professionals	1 to 2 months
IEC International Co-op	4 to 6 months
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)	4 to 5 months

 IRCC notifies selected candidates about their application being approved via the email-ID provided by the candidates. This may take around 6 weeks or 30 business days.

 

Overview of LMIA 

The job market in Canada is heavily dependent on foreign workers to fill up labour shortages across in-demand job sectors. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that helps the country understand if there is a need to hire foreign workers to fill up job roles. It is a document that a Canadian Employer needs before recruiting a foreign worker.

A positive LMIA implies that a foreign worker needs to be hired for a specific job role, as local Canadian workers or PR holders are not available to fill up the particular job vacancy. It is also referred to as a confirmation letter and is usually applied by the employer before hiring a foreign employee.

Canada offers two types of work permits in terms of LMIA:

• LMIA approved work permit
• LMIA-exempt work permit

Note: Canadian Open Work Permit applicants do not require an LMIA for approval.

 

Understanding LMIA Exempt Work Permits

In some instances, a Canadian employer is not required to apply for an LMIA before hiring a foreign worker. The work permits issued in such cases are known as LMIA exempt work permits. IRCC, along with the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), manages most of the LMIA exempt work permits via the International Mobility Program.

The conditions which facilitate LMIA exemption in Canada are:

• Reciprocal advantages enjoyed by citizens and PR holders of Canada
• Larger cultural, economic, or competitive benefits for the country
• Humanitarian and compassionate reasons

 

International Agreements

Canada offers LMIA exemptions to workers from certain countries via international agreements. Candidates with the potential to contribute positively to the Canadian economy can transfer to Canada from other countries. The following are the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) that allow LMIA exemptions:

• Canada-Chile FTA/Canada-Peru FTA/ Canada-Colombia FTA/ Canada-Korea FTA
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
• Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
• General Agreement on Trade Services (GATS) 

 

Canadian Interest Exemptions

LMIA exemptions are also offered under the category of Canadian Interest exemptions. Candidates will be eligible to apply for this category is they can demonstrate their potential contribute to the best interest of Canada either by being beneficial to Canadians or by maintaining a reciprocal employment relationships with other countries.

 

Intra Company Transferees

Candidates who are being transferred to Canada by their companies may also qualify for LMIA exemptions.

 

Criteria for LMIA Exempt Work Permits

You would be eligible for an LMIA exemption if you:

• Have a valid job offer
• Have been employed in a full-time job role for a minimum of 1 year
• Have an LMIA exempt Canadian work permit under:
  • Canadian Interest
  • International Agreement
  • Federal provincial Agreement

 

Business Visitors and Work Permits

Canada offers special visas for business persons willing to migrate and stay in Canada for a few days for business purposes. A business visa can be used to attend meetings, conferences, or events. A business visitor visa differs from a Canadian Work permit as it does not allow the holder to work in Canada. A Canadian Business Visitor Visa must ensure that they do not intend to enter the labor market of Canada and plan to leave the country within 6 months. A Business Visitor in Canada is allowed to do the following:

• Buy goods or services from Canada for a foreign government or businesses
• Accept orders for services or goods
• Attend meetings, conventions, trade meets, and conferences
• Offer after-sales services as a part of sales or warranty agreements
• Provide training to employees of the Canadian branch of an international company
• Accept training from a Canadian company that has provided services or equipment

Depending on the purpose of your visit, you may apply for a Business visitor visa.

 

Transitioning to Work Permits from Business Visitor Status

Business Visitors in Canada cannot directly apply for a Canadian Work Permit as business visitors are not allowed to look for employment opportunities during their stay in Canada. A Business Visitor visa allows short-term stays for reasons such as attending meetings or conducting business activities.

To obtain a work permit in Canada from a Business Visitor status you will need to:

• Look for a job offer in Canada
• Apply for a legal visitor status
• Get an LMIA
• Apply for a Canadian Work Permit after getting a job offer in Canada

 

Bringing dependents to Canada on Open Work Permit

Canadian Open Work permit holders can bring their spouse, common-law partner, or children below 21 years if the primary applicant mentions them on his Open Work Permit application form. You must apply for dependent visas to bring your dependents to Canada.

The steps to apply for a dependent visa to Canada are:

Step 1: Check if you and your dependents meet the eligibility criteria

Step 2: Gather and upload the required documents

Step 3: Apply for the Visa

Step 4: Wait for approval

Step 5: Fly to Canada with your dependents

Eligible spouses can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) after entering Canada on a Dependent Visa.

 

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