Open Work Permit

In order to apply for an Open Work Permit, you should either:

👉 be an international student who has graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada and who is eligible to apply under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program

👉 be a student and be currently unable to pay for your studies

👉 be in possession of an employer-specific work permit, but be the victim of abuse (or be at risk of abuse) in your current job

👉 be the dependant of a family member who has applied for Canadian permanent residence

👉 be the spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a low- or high-skilled worker living and working in Canada

👉 be the spouse or common-law partner of an international student undertaking their studies in Canada

👉 be the spouse or common-law partner of someone who has applied for the Atlantic Immigration Program

👉 be a refugee, refugee claimant or protected person, or a family member of one

👉 be under an unenforceable removal order

👉 be in possession of a temporary resident permit

👉 be sponsored by your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or accompanying dependent child and be already in Canada

👉 be an investor who has received a Quebec Notice of Intent to Select

When applying for an Open Work Permit, you must be prepared to prove that:

👉 you intend to leave Canada upon the expiry of your work permit

👉 you can support yourself and your family members while in Canada

👉 you have sufficient funds to allow you to return home when your permit expires

👉 you have no criminal record in any country you have lived in previously

👉 you are in good health

Open work permits are subject to the following restrictions:

👉 you can not work for an employer listed as ineligible to sponsor work permits

👉 you can not work for an employer who regularly offers adult services