Work Permit

At Bhoj Law Office, we provide comprehensive services to help you apply for a Canadian work permit. We can help you prepare the necessary documents and ensure that your application meets all the requirements of the Canadian immigration system. We can also advise you on the best way to present your skills and experience to Canadian employers and help you find the right job for you.

Why a Work Permit Matters

A work permit may assist a foreign national to accrue Canadian Work Experience. This experience is a factor in earning more points toward a Permanent Residency application under the Express Entry programs (FSW, FST, or CEC), the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the Quebec Immigration program. Most foreigners who want to work in Canada may need a work permit, which comes in two types: the Employer-Specific Work Permit and the Open Work Permit.

Employer-Specific Work Permit

An Employer-Specific Work Permit requires an employment contract provided by the employer, along with one of the following:

• One copy of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA); or
• An Employment Offer Number, which is for LMIA-exempt workers. This includes, for example, an employment offer under an International Mission or Consular, and some of the United Nations and other International Organizations established in Canada as per the Foreign Missions and International Organization Act.

Open Work Permit

The Open Work Permit is not a job-specific work permit. You could work with any employer under a new job condition. A foreign worker may apply for an Open Work Permit outside Canada, at a port of entry, or after arrival to Canada. The Open Work Permit is provided to a foreign national who is not made ineligible or restricted by the Canadian Government.

Please note that an Open Work Permit does not make a foreign national eligible to accept employment from:

• Employers who are listed as ineligible under the IRCC; or
• Employers who regularly offer erotic massages, erotic dance, striptease, or escort services.

What You Do Not Need

When applying for an Open Work Permit, you do not need:

• An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) from the ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada), because the foreign worker's Canadian employer applies for an LMIA from the ESDC; or
• Proof that an employer has submitted an Employment Offer through the Canadian Employer Portal with payment of the Employer Compliance Fee. In most cases, however, you must pay the Open Work Permit Holder Fee to the Government of Canada.

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit in Canada if you are:

• A graduated international student from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) who is still eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.
  • Eligibility for a PGWP: A graduated international student can apply for a PGWP from inside or outside Canada, and has up to 180 days after graduation in Canada to do so.
• A student who is unable to cover study costs (a Destitute Student);
• An individual who possesses an Employer-Specific Work Permit but is being abused, or is at risk of being abused, in the job in Canada;
• An individual who has applied for Permanent Residence in Canada;
• A dependent family member of an individual who applied for Permanent Residence in Canada;
• A spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student;
• A spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Program (an immigration program currently running in four of Canada's provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, or Newfoundland and Labrador);
• An individual who is a Refugee, Refugee Claimant, Protected Person, or such an individual's family member;
• An individual who is not under an enforceable removal order;
• An individual who possesses a Temporary Resident Permit; or
• A young worker participating in Special Programs.

How Bhoj Law Office Can Help

Our team guides you through every step of the work permit process, from determining which permit fits your situation to preparing a complete, requirement-compliant application. We help you present your skills and experience effectively to Canadian employers and support you in finding the right job for your goals in Canada.