Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit
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.
Temporary foreign workers have enforceable workplace rights.
Pay and contract
The employer must pay the agreed lawful wage and, for employer-specific workers, provide a signed employment agreement matching the offer.
Safe workplace
Workers are protected by employment, health and safety laws and may seek emergency or worker-support services.
Documents and fees
An employer cannot take the passport or work permit, force unsafe work, threaten deportation, or recover prohibited recruitment or LMIA costs from the worker.
Abuse
Workers can report abuse. An eligible closed-permit holder experiencing or at risk of abuse may apply for a vulnerable-worker open permit.
Changing jobs
Rights against abuse do not by themselves authorize a new job; use the new-permit/interim-authorization process unless another legal authorization applies.
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. |
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.
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.