Open Work Permit Canada: Eligibility, Requirements & How to Apply
An open work permit can allow an eligible foreign national to work for most employers in Canada without being tied to one specific job offer. This guide explains who may qualify, how open permits differ from employer-specific permits, application requirements, fees, restrictions and the main open work permit categories.
1. What Is an Open Work Permit in Canada?
An open work permit is a Canadian work permit that is not tied to one specific employer or job.
An eligible open work permit holder can generally work for most employers in Canada, subject to the restrictions and conditions that apply to the permit.
Because the permit is not job-specific, an applicant generally does not need a Canadian job offer before applying for an open work permit. The employer also does not normally need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal or pay the employer compliance fee for that worker.
The flexibility of an open work permit does not mean that every foreign national can apply for one. The applicant must qualify under a specific Canadian immigration category, program or public policy that authorizes an open work permit.
For the broader temporary worker framework, see the Work Permit Canada: Requirements & Complete Guide .
2. Open vs Employer-Specific Work Permit
Canada has two main types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits. The difference determines how closely the worker’s authorization is connected to a particular employer.
| Feature | Open work permit | Employer-specific work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Specific employer | Generally no | Generally yes |
| Job offer to apply | Generally not required | Generally required |
| LMIA | Not required | May be required or may qualify for an exemption |
| Employer Portal offer | Generally not required | Commonly required for many LMIA-exempt cases |
| Changing employers | Generally possible, subject to the permit’s restrictions | New authorization is generally required |
For the other permit type, see the Employer-Specific Work Permit Canada guide .
3. Who Can Apply for an Open Work Permit?
Open work permit eligibility is category-specific. There is no general application through which a foreign national can simply request an open permit because they want flexibility in the Canadian labour market.
Depending on the applicable rules, people who may qualify can include certain:
- graduates applying for a post-graduation work permit;
- International Experience Canada participants in the Working Holiday category;
- spouses or common-law partners who meet the requirements of an applicable family open work permit measure;
- permanent residence applicants who qualify for a bridging open work permit;
- vulnerable foreign workers who meet the requirements of the applicable protective measure;
- certain refugee claimants, protected persons and their eligible family members;
- certain applicants under specific permanent residence pathways or public policies; and
- other foreign nationals specifically authorized under Canadian immigration rules.
The exact requirements differ significantly between these categories. Eligibility for one category does not establish eligibility for another.
Applicants who are unsure whether they qualify for any type of Canadian work authorization should begin with Canada Work Permit Eligibility: Who Can Apply? .
4. Do You Need a Job Offer for an Open Work Permit?
A job offer is generally not required to apply for an open work permit.
This is one of the principal differences between an open work permit and an employer-specific work permit.
However, not needing a job offer does not remove the need to qualify under an authorized open work permit category.
An applicant must first establish why Canadian immigration law or policy permits an open work permit to be issued in their circumstances. The open nature of the permit is a consequence of that eligibility, not an independent basis for applying.
A person who does not qualify for an open permit may instead need an employer-specific work permit supported by an LMIA or a valid LMIA exemption.
Those pathways are explained in the LMIA Work Permit Canada guide and the LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada guide .
5. Does an Open Work Permit Require an LMIA?
An open work permit does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
Because the permit is not tied to one specific employer, there is normally no employer-specific LMIA application supporting the permit.
The employer hiring an existing open work permit holder also generally does not need to submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal or pay the employer compliance fee merely because it hires that worker.
LMIA-exempt and open are not synonyms
This distinction is important. Every open work permit is issued without an LMIA, but many LMIA-exempt permits are still employer-specific.
For example, an employer-specific permit issued under an International Mobility Program exemption can identify a specific employer even though no LMIA was required.
6. Open Work Permits for Spouses and Common-Law Partners
Some spouses and common-law partners of foreign workers, international students and certain permanent residence applicants may qualify for open work permits.
Family open work permit eligibility is not automatic. The rules depend on the immigration status and circumstances of the principal applicant and the particular family measure being used.
Spouses of foreign workers
Since January 21, 2025, access to family open work permits for spouses of temporary foreign workers who are not on an eligible permanent residence pathway has been restricted.
Current eligibility can depend on factors such as the principal worker’s occupation, immigration pathway, work authorization and remaining period of authorized work. Separate rules and exceptions apply to certain groups.
Spouses of international students
Open work permit eligibility for spouses of international students is also restricted to specified programs and circumstances. A spouse does not qualify merely because the principal applicant holds a study permit.
Because these rules are category-specific and have changed substantially, see the dedicated Spousal Open Work Permit Canada guide before assessing family eligibility.
International students should also review the broader Study Permit Canada Complete Guide for study-related requirements.
7. Post-Graduation Work Permit
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit available to eligible graduates of certain Canadian designated learning institutions and programs.
A PGWP can allow an eligible graduate to gain Canadian work experience without being restricted to one specific employer.
Graduation from a Canadian school does not automatically create PGWP eligibility. Applicants must meet the requirements that apply to their program, institution, study history and PGWP application.
Current PGWP rules can also include language and, for some graduates, field-of-study requirements.
The PGWP is an open work permit, but its eligibility rules should not be confused with the general rules governing other open work permit categories.
Because the PGWP is closely connected to Canadian study, detailed PGWP coverage belongs within the Study Permit topic architecture rather than being duplicated as a second Work Permit cluster.
8. IEC Working Holiday Open Work Permit
International Experience Canada (IEC) provides work and travel opportunities to eligible citizens of participating countries and territories.
The Working Holiday category generally results in an open work permit, allowing an eligible participant to work for different employers while in Canada, subject to the conditions of the permit.
This should be distinguished from the Young Professionals and International Co-op categories, which generally involve employer-specific work permits.
IEC has its own eligibility requirements, invitation process, country or territory rules, quotas and fees. For the complete framework, see the International Experience Canada guide .
9. Bridging Open Work Permit
A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) can allow certain permanent residence applicants in Canada to continue working while their qualifying permanent residence application is being processed.
Having an Express Entry profile or receiving an invitation to apply does not, by itself, establish BOWP eligibility.
The applicant must meet the requirements of an eligible permanent residence class and the applicable BOWP rules.
See the dedicated Bridging Open Work Permit guide for the eligibility framework.
Applicants pursuing economic permanent residence through the federal selection system can also review the Express Entry Canada Complete Guide .
10. Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers
Canada has a specific open work permit measure for certain temporary foreign workers who are experiencing abuse, or who are at risk of abuse, in relation to their employment in Canada.
The measure is intended to help eligible workers leave an abusive employment situation without remaining tied to the employer identified on their existing employer-specific work permit.
This is a protective immigration measure with its own eligibility and evidentiary requirements. It should not be treated as a general method of converting an employer-specific work permit into an open work permit.
A worker who simply wants to change jobs does not become eligible for a vulnerable worker open work permit on that basis alone. The applicable abuse or risk-of-abuse requirements must be established.
11. Open Work Permit Restrictions
“Open” does not mean completely unrestricted.
An open work permit generally allows employment with most employers in Canada, but restrictions can still arise from Canadian immigration law and from conditions printed on the permit.
Ineligible employers
An open work permit does not authorize work for an employer that is listed as ineligible because of non-compliance with applicable employer conditions.
Certain adult entertainment and service businesses
Open work permit holders are also generally prohibited from working for employers that regularly offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.
Medical restrictions
Depending on the applicant’s medical examination history and intended occupation, a work permit may contain restrictions affecting work in certain occupations where protection of public health is relevant.
Applicants who intend to work in an occupation affected by medical requirements should review the Work Permit Medical Exam guide .
For a broader explanation of restrictions printed on Canadian work permits, see Work Permit Conditions in Canada .
12. Open Work Permit Fees
For most open work permit applications, the standard federal fees currently include both the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.
| Fee | Current amount |
|---|---|
| Work permit processing fee | $155 |
| Open work permit holder fee | $100 |
| Biometrics — individual, if required | $85 |
| Biometrics — eligible family maximum | $170 |
This means the standard work permit and open work permit holder fees total $255 before any applicable biometric fee.
However, fee exemptions exist for some categories. Applicants should therefore confirm the fees for the specific open work permit category under which they are applying.
For the broader fee framework, see Work Permit Fees and Biometrics .
13. Documents for an Open Work Permit
The documents required for an open work permit depend heavily on the category under which the applicant qualifies.
Common documents can include:
- a valid passport or travel document;
- evidence establishing eligibility for the specific open work permit category;
- proof of the principal applicant’s immigration status where family eligibility is being claimed;
- proof of the relationship where a spouse or common-law partner category is used;
- evidence relating to a qualifying permanent residence application for certain BOWP cases;
- education and study records for PGWP applications;
- an immigration medical examination where required;
- biometrics where required; and
- any category-specific supporting documents requested by IRCC.
Because a job offer is generally not the basis of an open work permit, the application should clearly establish the immigration category or measure that makes the applicant eligible for open work authorization.
See the Work Permit Documents Checklist for the broader document-preparation framework.
14. How to Apply for an Open Work Permit
The application process begins with identifying the specific open work permit category for which the applicant qualifies.
Step 1 — Confirm eligibility
Determine the legal, program or policy basis for the open work permit and confirm that all category-specific requirements are met.
Step 2 — Confirm where the application can be made
Open work permit categories can have different application-location rules. IRCC notes that most people applying from outside Canada cannot obtain an open work permit, although exceptions exist for eligible categories.
Step 3 — Prepare category-specific evidence
Gather the documents needed to establish the particular open work permit eligibility relied upon.
Step 4 — Complete the application and pay the fees
Complete the required work permit forms and pay the applicable processing, open work permit holder and biometric fees, unless an exemption applies.
Step 5 — Complete post-submission requirements
Depending on the application, IRCC may require biometrics, a medical examination or additional evidence before making a decision.
For the general application process, see How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada .
15. Working in Canada With an Open Work Permit
Once an open work permit is valid, the holder can generally work for most eligible employers without obtaining a new employer-specific work permit each time they change jobs.
This flexibility can allow the worker to:
- change eligible employers;
- change jobs;
- work for more than one eligible employer, subject to the permit’s conditions; and
- move between employment opportunities without an employer-specific LMIA or Employer Portal submission.
The worker must nevertheless remain within the validity period and conditions of the permit.
An open work permit also does not replace provincial or territorial licensing requirements for regulated professions.
16. Can You Extend an Open Work Permit?
An open work permit is temporary authorization. Whether it can be extended depends on whether the worker continues to qualify under an applicable work permit category.
Holding an open work permit does not create an automatic right to receive another open work permit when the existing permit expires.
Before expiry, the worker should determine whether they:
- remain eligible under the same open work permit category;
- qualify under another open work permit category;
- qualify for an employer-specific work permit; or
- have another immigration option that permits them to remain in Canada.
See Work Permit Extension in Canada for extension requirements.
Maintained status
An eligible person who applies to extend their work authorization before their temporary resident status expires may be able to remain in Canada under maintained status while IRCC decides the application.
The ability to continue working and the conditions that apply during that period require separate analysis. See Maintained Status for Workers .
17. Open Work Permits and Permanent Residence
An open work permit is temporary work authorization. It does not itself provide permanent resident status.
However, employment gained while holding valid work authorization may be relevant to a permanent residence program if the work and applicant meet that program’s requirements.
For example, qualifying Canadian skilled work experience may be relevant to certain programs managed through Express Entry .
Conversely, some permanent residence applicants may become eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit while their qualifying permanent residence application is being processed.
Holding an open work permit does not guarantee permanent residence, and having a permanent residence plan does not automatically provide open work authorization.
18. Common Open Work Permit Mistakes
Applying simply because you do not have a job offer
The absence of a job offer does not create open work permit eligibility. A qualifying category is still required.
Assuming every spouse qualifies
Spousal open work permit rules are category-specific and have been substantially restricted. The principal applicant’s immigration circumstances must be assessed under the current rules.
Treating every LMIA-exempt permit as open
Many LMIA-exempt permits are employer-specific. LMIA exemption and permit type are separate legal questions.
Ignoring permit restrictions
Open work permits can still contain occupational or other conditions, and employment with certain employers is prohibited.
Assuming an open permit can always be extended
Extension requires an immigration basis. A current open permit does not automatically create eligibility for another one.
Using the wrong open work permit category
Each category has its own eligibility and evidentiary requirements. An application should identify and substantiate the actual basis relied upon.
19. Open Work Permit Eligibility Checklist
Before applying, consider the following questions.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What open work permit category are you relying on? | There is no general open work permit available to everyone. |
| Do you meet every requirement of that category? | Each open permit pathway has its own eligibility test. |
| Can you apply from your current location? | Application-location rules differ by category. |
| Do you have the required supporting evidence? | The application must establish the basis for open work authorization. |
| Is a medical examination required? | Medical requirements can affect permit conditions and occupations. |
| Have you calculated the correct fees? | Most applicants pay both the work permit and open permit holder fees, but exemptions exist. |
| Are there admissibility or status issues? | Open permit category eligibility does not override general immigration requirements. |
| Does your intended work comply with the permit conditions? | Open permits can still contain restrictions. |
Applicants ready to prepare their application can continue with the Work Permit Documents Checklist and the Work Permit Application Guide .
20. Open Work Permit Canada FAQs
What is an open work permit in Canada?
An open work permit generally allows an eligible foreign national to work for most employers in Canada without being tied to one specific employer, subject to restrictions and conditions.
Can anyone apply for an open work permit?
No. Open work permits are available only in specific situations authorized under Canadian immigration rules, programs or public policies.
Do I need a job offer for an open work permit?
Generally no. However, you must qualify under a specific open work permit category.
Does an open work permit require an LMIA?
No. An open work permit is not supported by an employer-specific LMIA.
Can I work for any employer in Canada?
An open permit generally allows work for most employers, but prohibited employers and any conditions printed on the permit must be respected.
Can I change jobs on an open work permit?
Generally yes, provided the new employment is permitted by the conditions of the work permit and Canadian immigration law.
How much does an open work permit cost?
The standard work permit processing fee is currently $155 and the open work permit holder fee is $100, for a total of $255 before any applicable biometric fee. Some categories are exempt from certain fees.
Can the spouse of a foreign worker get an open work permit?
Some spouses or common-law partners qualify, but eligibility is not automatic. Current rules depend on the principal worker’s circumstances, including the applicable occupation or immigration pathway and other requirements.
Can the spouse of an international student get an open work permit?
Some spouses or common-law partners of international students qualify, but eligibility is limited to specified programs and circumstances. Holding a study permit alone does not make every spouse eligible.
Is a PGWP an open work permit?
Yes. A Post-Graduation Work Permit is an open work permit, but only graduates who meet the applicable PGWP requirements can obtain one.
Can I extend my open work permit?
Only if you have a valid basis for further work authorization. Holding an existing open work permit does not automatically make you eligible for another one.
Does an open work permit lead to permanent residence?
Not automatically. It is temporary authorization, although qualifying Canadian work experience may be relevant to certain permanent residence programs.
Open work permits are available only in specific situations. Eligibility, family open work permit rules, fees, restrictions and application procedures can change. Confirm the current requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before applying.
Open Work Permits — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada