Why apply for a Canada Open Work Permit?

• Freedom to work anywhere in Canada with the Canada Open Work Visa
• 'NO' job offer required for Canada Open Work Visa
• 'NO' LMIA approval required for Canada Open Work Visa
• Earn up to CAD 60,000 per year
• Enjoy 25 paid leaves annually with the Canada Open Work Visa
• Direct access to the Canadian job market

The Canada Open Work visa gives you the freedom to work for any employer anywhere in Canada. It also gives you direct access to the Canadian job market, which has 1 million job vacancies across 20+ sectors. 
 

What is an Open Work Permit (OWP) in Canada?

An Open Work Permit (OWP) allows foreign nationals to work for any Canadian employer (with or without an LMIA) in most job categories. It is not tied to a specific job, giving you flexibility to change roles, locations, or employers without needing a new permit.
 

Types of Open Work Permits

• PGWP: For recent graduates of designated learning institutions
• Spousal OWP: For partners of international students or workers
• Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): For PR applicants awaiting final decision
• Other special categories: Compassionate or humanitarian cases, international youth exchange programs, etc.

Canada Open Work Permit Categories

The following immigration streams issue Canadian Open Work permits:

• 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 for any Canadian employer for any amount of time from any location in Canada. The Visa has a validity of eight months to up to three 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 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.

Who is Eligible for an OWP? (Spouse, PGWP, Bridging)

• Spouses/Common-Law Partners

Spouses or common-law partners of full-time students or skilled workers (with valid study or work permits) may apply for an OWP.

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Applicants

Graduates from eligible Canadian institutions can apply for a PGWP—an open permit that enables full-time work anywhere in Canada.

• Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

Individuals who’ve applied for permanent residence and received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC may apply for a BOWP to maintain work status while waiting for their PR decision.
 

Eligibility Criteria for a Canada Open Work Permit

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 Permits 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 for the Canada Open Work Visa
• Have proof of identity and civil status for the Canada Open Work Visa
• Have cleared the medical tests (varies country-wise)
• Have no criminal background for the Canada Open Work Visa
• Have sufficient financial resources for the Canada Open Work Visa
• Intend to leave Canada after the work permit expires
   

Canada Open Work Visa Requirements 

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

• Valid passport & study/work permits    
• Proof of relationship (for spouse)    
• Admission or employment letters    
• PGWP eligibility letter (if applicable)    
• Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)    
• Photographs per IRCC specifications    
• Proof of financial support    
• Application fee payment receipt

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)
   

How to get a Canadian Open Work Visa?

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

Step 1: Determine which permit category applies.

Step 2: Create or log in to your IRCC online account.

Step 3: Upload required forms and supporting documents.

Step 4: Pay the application fee.

Step 5: Attend a biometrics appointment, if required.

Step 6: Receive an electronic or paper-based OWP once approved.
 

Canadian Open Work Visa Fees

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

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

Open Work Visa Canada Processing Time

The processing time for a Canada Open Work Visa 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

Note: IRCC notifies selected candidates that their application has been approved via the email ID provided by the candidates. This may take around 6 weeks or 30 business days.
 

Limitations of an OWP

• Generally, no requirement for LMIA, but some sensitive sectors (e.g., healthcare) require employer compliance.
• Does not lead directly to permanent residency
• Does not allow you to sponsor family members
• Permit restrictions depend on your initial eligibility category (e.g., spousal vs. PGWP)

 

Differences: Open vs. Closed Work Permit

Feature	Open Work Permit (OWP)	Closed Work Permit
Employer Flexibility	Can work for any employer in Canada	Can only work for the employer listed on the permit
Job Flexibility	Can work in any job or role (unless restricted)	Job and role are pre-approved by IRCC
LMIA Requirement	Not usually required	Typically required, unless exempt
Changing Jobs	No need to apply for a new permit	Must apply for a new work permit to change employer or job role
Examples	PGWP, Spousal OWP, Bridging OWP	Employer-specific permits under LMIA pathways
Restrictions	May have occupation or location restrictions in rare cases	Bound by specific employer, role, and location

 

How can Y-Axis help you?

As the world's No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, Y-Axis has provided unbiased and personalized immigration assistance for 25+ years. Our team of visa and immigration experts will assist you with the following:

• Arranging the immigration document checklist
• Filling out application forms
• Documentation and petition filing
• Getting your updates and follow-ups
• Finding relevant jobs with Y-Axis Job Search Services
• Obtaining Canadian Permanent Residence