An open work permit is a work permit that is not job-specific and permit holder can work for any employer.
There is no requirement of LMIA or job offer from a Canadian employer to apply for open work permit.
An open work permit holder is eligible to work for maximum of 40 hours per week. However, not everyone can apply an open work permit.
As per IRCC, you are eligible to apply for open work permit if one of the following situation describes you:
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): International students who graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) are eligible for an open work permit.
- Destitute Student: Student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of your studies.
- Employer-specific work permit holder being abused or at risk of being abused.
- Bridging Open Work Permit: Permanent resident applicants awaiting decision on their application.
- Dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence.
- Spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student.
- Spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- Refugee, refugee claimant, protected person, or their family member
- You are under an unenforceable removal order (If your have filed federal judicial review, pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA), or humanitarian and compassionate considerations (H&C) in response to a removal order).
- Temporary resident permit holder who are otherwise inadmissible to Canada.
- A trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
- Additionally, young workers participating in special programs.
How To Apply
Click here to get full instructions on how to apply for an open work permit.
Recently, Canada also started open work permit for citizens of Ukraine and it will be valid for up to 3 years. Ukrainians can apply for an open work permit from outside Canada or within Canada here.
Trump Pauses These U.S. Immigrant Visas Effective Immediately
The U.S. State Department under the Trump administration has temporarily paused immigrant visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, directing consular officers to reschedule interviews while they undergo new…
2 New Canada LMIA Rules and Updates In August 2026
Canada’s LMIA system saw two important rule changes in August 2026, alongside growing practical emphasis on work location and business legitimacy requirements that affect how employers hire temporary foreign workers…
New CPP and OAS Payments Coming On August 27
Canadian seniors will receive their next combined Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security deposits (OAS payments) on Thursday, August 27, 2026, carrying the elevated quarterly rates that took…
New Minimum Wage In 5 Canadian Provinces Coming In October 2026
5 Canadian provinces are raising their minimum wage on October 1, 2026, reshaping what hundreds of thousands of workers across the country will earn for every hour on the job.…
New Canada Benefit Payments Still Coming In August 2026
The final week of August 2026 is delivering one of the busiest stretches of benefit payments in the entire month for millions of Canadians from coast to coast. Federal pensions,…
New US Visa Early Appointments Now Available Across Canada
The United States Department of State has launched a paid expedited US visa appointment option at the U.S. Embassy and all U.S. consulates in Canada. Starting August 18, 2026, eligible…
New CRA Rule For Disability Tax Credit Coming In September 2026
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced a major change to the Disability Tax Credit application process that takes effect on September 8, 2026. Starting on that date, versions of…
Canada’s Family Sponsorship Special Public Policy Ends Next Month
A special public policy that has allowed eligible Canadian permanent residents to sponsor family members to Canada they never declared on their original immigration applications is set to expire on…
New IRCC Processing Times As Of August 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time data on August 19, 2026, and the headline number is impossible to ignore. Citizenship certificate processing has now reached…
7 New Ontario Rent Rules Coming In September 2026
Ontario tenants who miss a rent payment will face a dramatically shorter window to act starting September 21, 2026. On that date, the minimum termination period on an N4 notice…
Latest Express Entry Draw On August 19 Sent 5,000 PR Invitations
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a French-language proficiency Express Entry draw on August 19, 2026.
5 Major Canada Immigration Shifts In 2026 Revealed In New IRCC Data
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released new data across 4 separate open-data portals on August 18, 2026, and the combined picture reveals a Canadian immigration system undergoing its most…
New Ontario Car Insurance Rate Cuts Coming In September 2026
Ontario drivers insured with some of the province’s largest carriers are about to see approved rate reductions flow through to their renewal premiums this fall. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority…
New Express Entry Draw On August 18 Sent 1,000 PR Invitations
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 1,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a new Express Entry draw on August 18, 2026, for the Canadian Experience Class. The Comprehensive…
What Digital Sectors Do Immigrants Prefer in Canada?
Canada’s immigration system has long favoured applicants with technology backgrounds, and the pattern has only intensified in recent years. Express Entry and several Provincial Nominee Program streams continue to reward…
New Health Insurance Increase For International Students At Ontario Universities
International students enrolled at over 20 UHIP-participating Ontario universities will pay significantly more for mandatory health insurance starting this fall. The University Health Insurance Plan has officially announced a premium…
New Uber Minimum Fares Increase In B.C. Effective August 18
British Columbia is raising the floor on what ride-hailing companies can charge passengers across the province with the new minimum fare increase effective August 18, 2026. The Passenger Transportation Board…
August 17 Express Entry Draw Issues 442 PR Invitations
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 442 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry draw on August 17, 2026. The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff…
New Canada FMCSP Study Permit Intake Opens August 26 With 2,970 Spots
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is set to open a fresh annual intake under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot on August 26, 2026, accepting up to 2,970 study permit…
New Canada Child Benefit Payment Coming This Week
The Canada Revenue Agency will be sending the next Canada Child Benefit payment to millions of families across the country this week. Thursday, August 20, 2026, is the confirmed payment…
New Canada CDB Payment Of Up To $204 In August 2026
Service Canada is preparing to deposit the next Canada Disability Benefit – CDB payment into bank accounts across the country in less than a week. This marks the second consecutive…
New Rogers Price Increase Effective August 18
Rogers has notified certain home internet customers that their monthly fee will increase by $7 plus tax, with the new rate taking effect on the first bill issued on or…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.