An open work permit is neither job specific nor employer specific. It confers some element of flexibility as the worker may work for any employer without first having an LMIA job offer.
Open Work Permit
Anchor Bay Immigration Consulting Services (ABICS)
When applying for an open work permit, you won’t need an Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) assessed LMIA or proof of offer of employment submission by employer. An open work permit can either be:
The worker may work for an unspecified employer, but the permit is still occupation restricted mostly for public health reasons, or occasionally if the worker has a negative medical assessment outcome.
Many temporary immigrants are eligible for open work permit. Some categories of immigrants eligible for an open work permit include:
In-Canada Permanent Resident (PR) applicants
Immigrants under the listed Express Entry (EE) programs
o Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
o Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
o Canadian Experience Canada (CEC)
o Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Dependent family members of permanent residents under any of the Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, FST & PNP)
International students who graduated from a Designated Learning Institution post-secondary school and are eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Spouses or common-law partners of the following:
o Foreign students at Designated learning Institutions (post-secondary school)
o Foreign workers who work in NOC O, A and B
o Foreign representatives and military personnel
o Low and High skilled workers
Family members of foreign representative
Young workers participating in special programs such as international Experience Canada Program
Working Holiday category
Competitiveness and public policy exemption
Spouses or Common-law partners of high-skilled foreign workers, foreign full-time students, Bridge Open Work Permit (BOWP) holders, Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or Atlantic Immigration Program, medical residents and fellows etc.
Vulnerable – employer-specific – workers at risk of abuse or exploitation
No other means of support
Refugee claimants and persons under an unenforceable removal order
Humanitarian Reason
Destitute Students, Temporary Resident Permit holders with up to 6 months validity
Numerous other open work permit under LMIA exemption category
OPEN WORK PERMIT
An open work permit is neither job specific nor employer specific. It confers some element of flexibility as the worker may work for any employer without first having an LMIA job offer.
Open Work Permit
Anchor Bay Immigration Consulting Services (ABICS)
When applying for an open work permit, you won’t need an Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) assessed LMIA or proof of offer of employment submission by employer. An open work permit can either be:
Restricted Open Work Permit
The worker may work for an unspecified employer, but the permit is still occupation restricted mostly for public health reasons, or occasionally if the worker has a negative medical assessment outcome.
Unrestricted Open Work Permit
This worker can work for any employer, in any occupation and at any location.
Applying for an Open work permit?
Contact us!
Let’s Get in Touch!
Who is eligible for an Open Work Permit?
Many temporary immigrants are eligible for open work permit. Some categories of immigrants eligible for an open work permit include:
In-Canada Permanent Resident (PR) applicants
Immigrants under the listed Express Entry (EE) programs
o Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
o Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
o Canadian Experience Canada (CEC)
o Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Dependent family members of permanent residents under any of the Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, FST & PNP)
International students who graduated from a Designated Learning Institution post-secondary school and are eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Spouses or common-law partners of the following:
o Foreign students at Designated learning Institutions (post-secondary school)
o Foreign workers who work in NOC O, A and B
o Foreign representatives and military personnel
o Low and High skilled workers
Family members of foreign representative
Young workers participating in special programs such as international Experience Canada Program
Working Holiday category
Competitiveness and public policy exemption
Spouses or Common-law partners of high-skilled foreign workers, foreign full-time students, Bridge Open Work Permit (BOWP) holders, Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or Atlantic Immigration Program, medical residents and fellows etc.
Vulnerable – employer-specific – workers at risk of abuse or exploitation
No other means of support
Refugee claimants and persons under an unenforceable removal order
Humanitarian Reason
Destitute Students, Temporary Resident Permit holders with up to 6 months validity
Numerous other open work permit under LMIA exemption category
Interested in an Open work permit?
Contact us!
Let’s Get in Touch!