A Canada open work permit lets you work for any employee in Canada as long as they are eligible to hire international workers. There are two kinds of work permits in Canada,
- Employer-Specific Work Permit, and
- Open Work Permit
As the name suggests, the employer-specific work permit only allows a worker to work for one employer. Imagine if you received a job offer from a Canadian employer and they are asking you to work for them and in turn they will support your permit application. However, you will only be able to work for that certain employer and once your permit expires, you will have to return to your home country.
On the other hand, if you applied for an open work permit, you may work for any employer in Canada. Another advantage of working in Canada on an open work permit is that you may even bring your family with you.
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Open Work Permit vs Employer-Specific Work Permit
Find the difference between the two kinds of work permits below:
| Open Work Permit | Employer-Specific Work Permit |
| Work for any employer | Only work for the employer that offered you a job |
| No need of LMIA | Needs LMIA (unless the job is LMIA-exempt) |
| Family may be allowed | Can’t bring family |
Canada Spouse Open Work Permit
A Canadian Spouse Open Work Permit is issued to the spouse or common-law partner or dependent child of the person who has sponsored them for Canada PR. The spouse/partner/child can only apply for a spouse open work permit if their permanent residence application is being processed by IRCC.
Open Work Permit Requirements
To apply for an open work permit, make sure that you meet the following requirements:
- Prove that you will leave Canada once the permit ends
- demonstrate that you are financially capable of supporting yourself and your family
- Be in good health, and not pose a threat to Canada’s security
- Obey Canadian laws and have no criminal activity records
- Don’t work for any employer who’s ineligible and offers escort services, striptease, etc
The applicant must make sure that they provide all the documents required by officers. They must ensure that they do not work for an employer who is ineligible to hire temporary workers. Some reasons that make an employer ineligible are:
- They must not be listed on the list of ineligible employers. The list is created by none other than IRCC and you can CLICK HERE to check it out. Keep this blog bookmarked so you don’t lose this link.
- The employer must not be someone that regularly offers services such as striptease, escort services, erotic dances, etc.
Who Can Apply for Open Work Permit?
These factors might make you eligible to apply for an open work permit:
- graduated from a DLI as a foreign student and you are eligible for PGWP
- a destitute student, meaning you are not able to pay for your studies
- a dependent of someone who applied for PR
- a temporary resident permit holder
- you applied for Canada PR and your application is being processed
- you are the spouse/partner of an international student
There are other factors that make you eligible for an open work permit. To know them all, why not give us a quick call at +91 844-838-6496 today and learn them all!
How to Apply For Open Work Permit From India?
Follow these steps to apply for an open work permit from India easily:
STEP 1 – Create or Sign into IRCC account
STEP 2 – Choose your application type “Work Permit”
STEP 3 – Fill out the application form and upload all the necessary documents
STEP 4 – Pay the application fee
STEP 5 – Upon approval, IRCC will issue you an approval letter and a letter of introduction which you will require at the port of entry.
STEP 6 – When you arrive, you must have your passport, a travel document, and a visitor visa (if required). A border services officer will check your identity at the port of entry or airport, wherever you will arrive. The officer also checks your medical exam results and your fingerprints. Once the officer is done, your work permit will be printed at the airport or port of entry.
Open Work Permit Processing Time & Fee
A Canadian open work permit costs CAN$100 and takes about 21 days to get processed, when applied from India. IRCC has calculated this processing time based on the time it took to process past work permit applications.
From the day IRCC receives a completed open work permit, it will start processing it and thus, it may take 21 days to decide whether or not to approve it.
How Can I Apply for Canada Open Work Permit?
There are two ways by which one can apply for an open work permit:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- International Mobility Program (IMP)
Whom can I bring to Canada on Open Work Permit?
You may bring your family member to live, study or work in Canada on an open work permit. In case your spouse or common-law partner does not plan on working in the country and still wants to accompany you to Canada, they need to apply for a visitor visa or a study visa.
In 2022, 23% of all the work permits issued were open work permits. The demand for the open work permit has been increasing since it’s a better option and affordable too, as compared to employer-specific work permits. Moreover, you get to work for any employer that you wish for with an open work permit.
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