Work Permits
Foreign nationals seeking to work in Canada temporarily must seek legal authorization through work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Work Permits may be issued based on a wide variety of imperatives including work experience, education, agreements, and pilot programs. Work Permits may be issued for a full or part time positions.
Canada extends and expands Open Work Permit program for Hong kong residents
Classification of Work Permit
Work permits are divided into two types: open work permit and closed work permit.
Closed Work Permits are employer-specific and requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
Open Work Permits (OWP) allow foreign nationals to engage in employment activities in Canada for any employer in any location.
If an applicant is LMIA-exempt, then the applicant is eligible for OWP. All OWPs are exempt from LMIA.
Who Qualifies or What Programs Qualify you for Open Work Permit?
You may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if you are one of the following
A Spouse or Common-law Partner of a Temporary Foreign Worker
You may qualify for an open work permit if you’re the spouse or common law partner of a temporary foreign worker who has been employed in Canada for at least six months in a job corresponding to TEER 0, 1 or 2 and resides or intends to reside in Canada.
A Spouse or Common-law Partner of an International Student
As a spouse or common law partner of an international student, you may be eligible for Open Work Permit if your international student partner or spouse graduated from a program that lasted for at least 8 months (see Post Graduation Work Permit Program).
International Graduates, their Spouses and Common-law Partners
If your international graduate spouse or common-law partner has a Post Graduate Work Permit, you may be eligible for an Open Work Permit as a spouse or common-law partner.
Open Work Permits usually align with the period in which their spouse is permitted to work in Canada.
Applied for Permanent Residence through the Inland Spousal Sponsorship
Spouses and common-law partners of Canadians or permanent residents who are being sponsored for permanent residence in Canada through Inland Sponsorship program are eligible for Open Work Permit.
A participant in streams offered by International Experience Canada (IEC)
If you are a participant in the International Experience Canada(IEC), you may be eligible for an open work permit under the Working Holiday category. IEC is intended for young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 who are citizens of foreign countries with which Canada has reciprocal agreements.
Permanent Residence Applicants Residing in Canada
Applicant and their spouse or common-law partner may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BWOP) if both reside in Canada, have an expiring work permit, and have applied for permanent residence through one of the federal or provincial programs under economic class.
BWOP allows you to keep working while you wait for the decision of your PR application.
Other Class of Foreign Nationals Who May be Eligible for Open Work Permit
- A refugee or protected person and their family members living in Canada;
- Foreign nationals under unenforceable removal order
- Temporary resident permit holders
- International students unable to meet the costs of their studies for reasons beyond their control.
- A foreign national with an LMIA Work Permit and are being mistreated or are at risk of being mistreated during his/her employment.
