Last Updated On 12 November 2024, 8:05 AM EST (Toronto Time)

To work in Canada, foreign nationals require a work permit. There are two kinds of work permits: open work permits and closed work permits.

A foreign national with an open work permit authorization can work in Canada for almost any employer and in any province.

Closed work permits, on the other hand, are employer-specific and allow you to work for a specific company under certain restrictions.

A Canadian employer does not need to provide you with a job offer or an LMIA if you have an open work permit.

Additionally, an open work permit allows you to work up to 40 hours a week.

However, the IRCC has specified 12 situations in which a person may apply for an open work permit.

This article covers the eligibility requirements for an open work permit new eligibility criteria based on recent changes introduced by immigration department for international students.

Who is eligible for an open work permit in Canada?

An open work permit is only available under specific conditions, according to the IRCC, and you can be qualified if you fulfill the following:

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you are:

1. International students who completed their studies at an approved institution of higher learning are qualified for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, except for students starting curriculum licensing agreement programs as of September 1, 2024.

2. a destitute international student, who is financially struggling and can no longer afford their education.

3. on a work permit that is employer-specific and are being mistreated or facing mistreatment because of your employment, then you can apply as an abused foreign worker.

4. an applicant who has already submitted a Canadian permanent residency application can apply for a bridging open work permit.

5. a family member who is dependent on an applicant for permanent residency

6. a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child of a low- or high-skilled worker as per the new criteria announced in 2023.

7. either the spouse or common-law partner of an international student enrolled in a professional degree program at a university, such as a master’s or doctorate program, or one of the following at a polytechnic institution:

Dental Surgery Doctor (DDS, DMD)
Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law (LLB, JD, BCL)
Medical doctor (MD)
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm), Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Veterinary medicine doctor (DVM)
Nursing Bachelor of Science (BScN, BSN, or BNSc)
Education Bachelor’s Degree (B. Ed.)
Engineering Bachelor’s Degree (B. Eng., BE, BASc)

8. either the common-law spouse or the spouse of a candidate for the Atlantic Immigration Program.

9. a protected person, a refugee, a refugee claimant, or a member of their family

10. subject to an unenforceable order of removal.

11. possess a temporary residency permit.

12. a young employee taking part in designated programs

It is important to note that open work permit holders are not allowed to work for one of the employers who are ineligible due to their failure to comply with the conditions, as well as for the employers that provide services such as sensual massages, escort services, striptease, or erotic dance.

General Work Permits Eligibility Requirements

There are requirements you must fulfill while applying for an open work visa, depending on where you are at the time.

Regardless of your location or the type of work visa you’re applying for, you must nonetheless fulfill the following standards:

1. prove to an immigration officer in your application that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires.

2. demonstrate that you have enough money to maintain your family and yourself while you are in Canada and when you go back home.

3. abide by the law and maintain a clean record, as you might be required to provide a police clearance;

4. not jeopardize Canada’s security;

5. maintain good health and, if necessary, get a medical exam to apply.

6. have no desire to work for an establishment that frequently offers sensual massages, exotic dancing, striptease, or escort services.

7. ready to provide additional documents, if the officer asks for more documentation to verify your eligibility.

How can I apply for a work permit?

Depending on where you live, there are several guidelines for applying for a work permit.

Whether you choose to apply for a work permit at a port of entry (POE) or from outside of Canada depends on your preferences.

The most common option is to apply online using the GCKey login.

Click here to obtain instructions on how to apply for a work permit based on your situation.

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Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website