Open Work permit in Canada 

An open work permit allows a foreign national to work for any Canadian employer he/she wants over a specified period of time. Some open work permits may restrict the kind of job or place in which the foreign national may work. A worker may apply for an open work permit from outside of Canada, within Canada or at a Canadian port of entry.

Canadian Open work permits are only issued to certain individuals who are also exempt from the LMIA requirement.

The following individuals are eligible to be issued an open work permit:

• Applicants with no other means of support. (Foreign Nationals with No Other Means of Support)
• Certain kinds of permanent resident applicants living in Canada. (Permanent Residence Applicants in Canada)
• Foreign nationals living in Canada for humanitarian reasons. (Humanitarian-Based Open Work Permits)
• Canada World Youth Program participants
• Participants in certain international student and young worker exchange programs
• The family members of military personnel and foreign representatives who are exempt from the LMIA requirement
• Professional athletes entering Canada who require other work to support themselves while playing for a Canadian team
• Spouses of skilled worker residents
• Spouses of foreign students
• Foreign nationals currently in Canada whose work permit will soon expire and who have submitted an application for permanent residence under:
  • The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
  • The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  • Note: These workers are only eligible for an open work permit if they meet the requirements for the program to which they are applying.
  • Foreign nationals who have submitted an application for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SCLPC). Applicants under this class will be able to get an open work permit if:
    • They have submitted a Permanent Residence Application under the SCLPC class
    • The applicant’s spouse/partner is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
    • The applicant’s spouse/partner has submitted a sponsorship application on the applicant’s behalf
    • The SCLPC applicant resides at the same address as the sponsor/spouse/partner
    • The SCLPC applicant has valid temporary resident status as a visitor, student or work.