Work Permit

Work Permit may assist a foreign national to accrue the Canadian Work Experience. The Canadian Work Experience is a factor to obtain more points for the Permanent Residency application under the Express Entry (FSW, FST, or CEC), PNP, and Quebec Immigration program. For most foreigners who want to work in Canada, they may need a Work Permit to work in Canada through two types of Work Permits – Employer-specific Work Permit and Open Work Permit.

Employer Specific Work Permit

It requires an Employment Contract provided by the employer and one copy of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA); or Employment Offer Number (It is for LMIA-exempt workers, e.g., Employment Offer under 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 with a new job condition. A foreign worker may apply for an Open Work Permit outside Canada, or 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 Canadian Government. Note – 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 offers erotic massages, erotic dance, striptease, or escort services.

While applying for an Open Work Permit, you do NOT need-

• a 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
• a Proof that an employer has submitted an Employment Offer through the Canadian Employer Portal with the payment of the Employer Compliance Fee. (But in most cases, you must pay the Open Work Permit Holder Fee to the Government of Canada).

Eligibility requirements to apply for an Open Work Permit in Canada:

• A graduated International Student from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), but 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, who has up to 180 days after graduation in Canada.
• A Student who is unable to cover study-costs (Destitute Student)
• An individual who possesses an Employer-Specific Work permit but being abused or at risk of being abused in the job in Canada
• An individual who has applied for the Permanent Residence in Canada
• A dependent family member of an individual who applied for the 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 (it is the Immigration Program currently running in 4 Canada’s provinces – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI or Newfoundland and Labrador)
• An individual who is a Refugee, Refugee Claimant, Protected Person or such individual’s family member
• An individual who is NOT under an enforceable removal order
• An individual who possesses Temporary Resident Permit
• A young worker participating in Special Programs