Open work permits exist only for listed people and situations.
Post-graduation
PGWP for eligible graduates, subject to current DLI, program, language, field-of-study, study-status and filing rules.
Spouses and family
Some spouses/common-law partners of workers or students, sponsored spouses and certain accompanying family members qualify; relationship, principal applicant, occupation/program and permit-validity rules differ.
PR-related
A bridging open work permit or another category-specific permit may be available only after the required PR application stage and while the applicant meets status and residence conditions.
Protection and vulnerability
Eligible refugee claimants, protected persons, vulnerable workers and people covered by crisis or humanitarian measures may have a tailored open-permit route.
Provincial or special measures
Some prospective provincial nominees, Québec investors, eligible Indigenous persons and named public-policy groups may qualify under time-limited instructions.
Restrictions remain
An open permit can restrict province, occupation or work involving health care, children or schools. It does not permit work for an ineligible or non-compliant employer.
Special work-permit routes have their own eligibility instructions.
Post-graduation work permit
For eligible graduates of eligible DLI programs; language, field-of-study, full-time study, completion date and 180-day filing rules can apply.
Students
On- or off-campus work and mandatory placements can be authorized by study-permit conditions; working outside those conditions is unauthorized.
International Experience Canada
Country/territory, age, pool, invitation, quota, insurance and police-certificate rules apply; some categories are open and others employer-specific.
Waiting for permanent residence
Bridging or category-specific open permits exist only for listed PR applicants and stages; an AOR alone is not a universal work permit.
Family members
Some spouses/common-law partners and dependent children of workers or students may qualify under current rules, but occupation, permit duration, program and relationship conditions apply.
Vulnerable workers
A worker in Canada on an employer-specific permit who is experiencing or at risk of workplace abuse may seek a special open permit.
Every worker must qualify for the permit and for temporary residence.
- 01
Identify the exact work-permit category and prove the applicant has the education, experience, language ability and professional licence needed for the real job duties.
- 02
Show a valid passport, truthful immigration and family history, sufficient funds where relevant, and an intention to leave Canada when authorized stay ends. A future PR plan can coexist with a credible temporary plan under dual intent.
- 03
Address prior refusals, unauthorized work or study, loss of status, removal history, criminality, security, medical issues and any possible misrepresentation directly.
- 04
Complete an immigration medical when required, especially for health care, child care, primary or secondary education, agriculture from designated countries, or extended residence in a designated country.
- 05
A spouse or child does not automatically receive a work permit. Each family member needs their own application and must meet the current family-member rules.
Apply from the place authorized by the rules.
| Place | When it may be available | Key caution |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Canada | The normal route for someone who needs authorization before travelling | Approval produces a port-of-entry letter—not the physical permit. The officer issues the permit after examination on arrival. |
| Inside Canada | Extensions and changes, plus only the categories IRCC specifically allows to make an initial in-Canada application | Being physically in Canada as a visitor does not generally create eligibility to apply inside Canada. |
| Port of entry | Certain visa-exempt applicants who meet all POE conditions and carry the LMIA or offer number where required | IRCC recommends applying before travel. Visa-required travellers, most non-US IEC applicants, SAWP workers and PGWP applicants cannot use this route. |
| Québec job | Federal work-permit rules plus Québec requirements where applicable | An LMIA-based paid job over 30 days commonly also needs a CAQ unless an exemption applies. |
Build the document package around the permit route and real job.
- 01
Outside-Canada files normally use IMM 1295; in-Canada extension/change files use IMM 5710. Follow the personalized checklist and local visa-office instructions rather than an old saved list.
- 02
Provide passport pages, digital photo, civil/family records, proof of current status, translations, biometrics and medical evidence where required.
- 03
For employer-specific work, include the signed job offer/contract, employer letter, detailed duties, pay and location, résumé, education, licence or certification, and proof of relevant past work such as references and pay records.
- 04
For LMIA work, include the positive LMIA/file number and documents matching its terms. For most paid Québec jobs over 30 days, include the CAQ unless exempt.
- 05
For LMIA-exempt work, include the Employer Portal offer number and documents proving the exemption. For an open permit, prove the applicant’s exact open-permit category.
- 06
Explain discrepancies, prior refusals, status gaps and unusual employer/family relationships. Upload clear certified translations and translator affidavits where required.
Application, biometrics, decision and arrival are separate steps.
- 01
Apply online unless an authorized paper or accessibility exception applies; answer every question, pay the correct fees and retain the submission confirmation.
- 02
Complete biometrics and medical requests promptly and monitor the account for procedural-fairness or additional-document letters.
- 03
Outside approval gives a port-of-entry letter of introduction. Carry the passport, approval letter, job documents and admissibility evidence; CBSA makes the final entry decision and prints the permit.
- 04
Read the printed permit before leaving the counter. Check employer, occupation, location, validity and medical restrictions and ask immediately if a clerical error appears.
- 05
In-Canada applicants may begin under the new conditions when the online approval note authorizes it; they do not need to wait for the mailed paper permit unless IRCC says otherwise.
Pay the fee that matches the application.
Fees can change. A temporary resident visa, medical exam, police certificate, translation or Québec process may add separate costs.
| Item | Current federal fee | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit or extension | CAN$155 per person | Pay for each worker application |
| Open work-permit holder fee | CAN$100 in addition to the permit fee | Applies when requesting an open permit |
| Restore worker status and obtain a new work permit | CAN$401.25 | Includes the current restoration fee and work-permit fee; an open-permit fee may also apply |
| Biometrics | CAN$85 individual / up to CAN$170 eligible family | Only when biometrics are required |
| Employer compliance | CAN$230 | Normally paid by the employer for an LMIA-exempt employer-specific offer; the worker must not be charged this fee |
Official sources & application
The practical answer is in this guide; use these links to verify live changes and apply officially.
Ghasedak explains the eligibility, evidence, process and important cautions in plain language. Because laws, forms, fees and filing methods can change, also check the live official instructions on the day you submit. This is general information, not individual legal advice.