General Open Work Permit

An open work permit lets you work for most employers in Canada, except for employers who have failed to follow labor conditions. Most foreign workers in Canada holds an employer-specific work permit. The open work permit is only issued under special circumstances.

You may be eligible for this open work permit if you:

• are a student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of your studies (destitute student),

• have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada,

• applied for permanent residence in Canada,

• are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member,

• are under an unenforceable removal order,

• are a temporary resident permit holder or,

• are a young worker who received an invitation through the International Experience Canada.

If you expect to or have recently graduated from a Canadian college or university, follow the link to start a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

If you are a spouse or common law partner of a Canadian permanent residence applicant, a temporary foreign worker or an international student in Canada, follow the link to start a Open Work Permit (Spouse, Common-law Partner or Dependent Child).