How to get an open work permit in Canada
Open work permits, which allow holders to work for almost any employer in Canada, are available for foreign nationals in specific situations.
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
This article will cover
The most common types of OWPs;
Eligibility requirements for each OWP type and how to apply; and
OWP restrictions and limitations.
Common types of OWPs
The table below lists the most common OWP types, whom they are for, and the maximum validity period of each OWP type.
Work permit typeWho’s it for?Maximum work permit validity
Post-Graduation Work PermitInternational graduates of eligible institutions3 years
Spousal Open Work PermitSpouses of certain temporary foreign workers and international studentsLength of principal applicant’s work permit
International Experience Canada Working HolidayYouth aged 18 to 35 (or 18 to 30) from select countries2 years
Open Work Permit for PNP candidatesProvincial nominee candidates with an OWP support letter from a participating province/territory2 years
Bridging Open Work PermitTemporary workers in Canada awaiting a decision on their PR application2 years
Refugee Claimant Open Work PermitIndividuals who have made a claim for refugee protection and are awaiting a decision.2 years
If you’re starting from scratch and looking to obtain an open work permit, your best bet will likely be to study in Canada in order to obtain a PGWP.
If you’re aged 18-35 or 18-30 and a citizen of a list of select countries, you also have the option of pursuing a Working Holiday work permit through International Experience Canada (IEC).
The other open work permits are available only to foreign nationals in specific situations—to PR applicants, PNP candidates, refugee claimants, and to spouses of those with certain statuses.
PGWP eligibility
There are several sets of eligibility requirements you must meet to be eligible for a PGWP.
General eligibility requirements:
Complete a program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI) that is at least eight months in length (or 900 hours if the program is Quebec-based).
Maintain full-time status in all semesters of study (part-time study is permitted for the final semester).
Meet language proficiency requirements according to your level of study.
Submit your PGWP application within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you’ve completed your study program.
Ensure your study permit is valid at some point during the 180 days after graduating and before applying for a PGWP.
Requirements based on study program, which vary based on a student’s level of study:
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree.
Graduates from any other university program.
Graduates from any other college, polytechnic, or non-university programs.
Flight school graduates.
Field of study requirements, if applicable.
Your 6-digit Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code must be on the list of currently eligible CIP codes when you submit your study permit or PGWP application.
You don’t need to meet field of study requirements if you
Graduated with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, or from a PGWP-eligible flight school; or
Applied for your initial study permit or submitted your PGWP application before November 1, 2024.
Requirements based on physical location (in-Canada graduates vs outside Canada graduates).
Certain scenarios can also make you ineligible for a PGWP, including taking general interest or self-improvement courses or studying English or French as a second language.
How to apply for a PGWP
Step 1: Ensure you are eligible for a PGWP, meaning you meet
General eligibility requirements;
Study program requirements;
Field of study requirements (if applicable); and
Physical location requirements.
Step 2: Carefully read through the relevant instruction guide available online on the Government of Canada’s website.
Applying from within CanadaApplying from outside Canada
Instruction guide 5580Instruction guide 5487
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) notes that, regardless of the instruction guide you’re referencing, use your Canadian address if you are currently residing in Canada.
Step 3: Sign in to, or create your IRCC Secure Account and follow the instructions in the applicable instruction guide to fill out the appropriate application form(s).
If you are applying from outside Canada, input the following in the application form’s “Details of intended work in Canada” section:
Question 1: Select “Open Work Permit.”
Question 2 (Name of employer): Write “Post Graduate Work Permit.”
Step 3: Answer some questions to obtain a personalized document checklist auto-generated by IRCC.
Step 4: Upload the application form(s), as well as the primary and supporting documentation.
The document checklist will not ask for language test results and proof you’ve graduated from an eligible field of study (due to system limitations), but if you are required to provide either, upload them in the “Client Information” section of your account.
Step 5: Pay your application fees (work permit processing fee and OWP holder fee) and submit your complete application.
Schedule a Free PGWP Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
SOWP eligibility
IRCC implemented restrictions for SOWPs in January of this year. Now, only spouses or common-law partners of certain temporary foreign workers and international students are eligible for an SOWP.
Foreign workers must be in
A Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) 0 or 1 occupation; or
A qualifying TEER 2 or 3 occupation in one of the following industries:
Natural and applied sciences.
Construction.
Healthcare.
Natural resources.
Education.
Sports.
Military sectors.
As per IRCC, foreign workers must also meet the following requirements:
Have a valid work permit or have been approved for one;
Have a work permit that is valid for at least six months at the time you (the spouse or common-law partner of the worker) submit your SOWP application;
Live and work in Canada (or plan to); and
Have a work permit that was issued or approved because they applied for a qualifying economic class PR program or pilot.
Spouses or partners of foreign workers must
Meet general eligibility requirements for a work permit;
Prove they are in a genuine relationship with the principal applicant; and
Be in one of the following situations if present in Canada:
Have valid temporary resident status;
Have maintained status; or
Be eligible for restoration of temporary resident status.
International students must have a valid study permit from a DLI and be enrolled in
A Master’s degree program of 16 months or longer;
A doctoral degree program;
One of certain eligible programs in select provinces; or
One of the 11 qualifying university-level professional degree programs.
How to apply for an SOWP
You may apply from within or outside Canada. Below are the steps to apply online.
Steps will differ depending on whether you are applying to get an OWP at the same time as the principal applicant (the eligible worker or student).
Part 1
Applying for an OWP with the principal applicant
The principal applicant will do the following in their IRCC Secure Account:
Step 1: When asked “Do you want to submit an application for a family member?,” answer “Yes.”
Step 2: When asked “Why is your family member visiting Canada?,” Answer “Work with an Open Work Permit.”
Applying for an OWP separately (not with the principal applicant)
You will do the following in your own IRCC Secure Account:
Steps will differ depending on whether you are applying for an OWP from within or outside Canada.
The tables below will show you how to answer the questions posed.
Outside Canada:
QuestionAnswer
How long are you planning to stay in CanadaTemporarily—more than 6 months
Will you be coming to Canada under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC?Yes
Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who is applying for a work permit?Yes
What type of work permit do you want to apply for?A work permit for a spouse of an international student, or for a family member of a worker
Inside Canada:
You will be asked what your current immigration status in Canada is. Input the answer detailed below as it applies to your current situation.
Your status is:Immigration status to select:
Working without a work permitVisitor
StudentWorker
Work permit holderWorker
Other types of visitorsWorker
You will be asked a question starting with “Are you,” followed by various qualifying scenarios. Answer “Yes,” as you will fall under scenario one.
Part 2
Upload the documentation required depending on your situation.
The principal applicant (your spouse) or you will have received a personalized document checklist (depending on whether you’re applying separately or together).
You may need to combine more than one document in a file and upload them together using the “Client Information” field.
Part 3
Pay the application fees (work permit processing fee and OWP holder fee).
If you are applying with the principal applicant, they too will pay a work permit processing fee—and they will submit the fees through their IRCC Secure Account.
Part 4
Submit the application.
Schedule a Free SOWP Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
IEC Working Holiday eligibility
Each IEC category has its own eligibility requirements that foreign nationals must meet to qualify. To be considered for a Working Holiday OWP, the following criteria must be met:
Be a citizen of one of the 35 participating countries;
Be between the ages of 18 to 30/35, depending on your nationality;
Have a valid health insurance for the duration of your stay in Canada;
Your insurance plan must cover medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
Have $2,500 to cover your expenses while in Canada;
Have a valid passport for the duration of your stay in Canada;
Have, prior to departure, either a round-trip ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a departure ticket at the end of your stay.
IRCC also specifies that to be eligible, you must not be accompanied by any dependents.
How to apply for the IEC Working Holiday OWP
Step 1: Check if you meet the eligibility criteria to enter the IEC Working Holiday pool by filling out an online questionnaire.
This can be done through your IRCC Secure Account or using the online “Come to Canada” tool.
Step 2: If you qualify, create your online IEC profile (which you’ll need your passport for) and submit it once all forms have been filled out.
If you checked your eligibility without signing in, copy the personal reference code (e.g. JM1234567890), create your account, and enter the code when asked.
Once your profile is submitted, you will be entered into the IEC pool.
Step 3: Begin gathering the supporting documentation for your work permit application as soon as possible, as certain documents may take several months to get. IRCC auto-generates a document checklist for you once your profile is created.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Step 5: Accept the ITA within 10 days of receiving it. To accept it, find the application called “Work Permit” in your online account and click “Start application.”
Step 6: Complete an application for an IEC work permit within 20 days of accepting the ITA, with all supporting documentation attached.
Step 7: Pay your application fees ($179.75 IEC fee + $100 OWP holder fee) and submit your complete OWP application.
OWPs for PNP candidates
You may be eligible to receive an OWP under IRCC’s temporary public policy if, as a provincial nominee candidate, you:
Are in an Expression of Interest (EOI) pool or have submitted an application under a participating PNP:
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program; or
Yukon Nominee Program.
Have a letter of employment from your current employer;
Have an OWP support letter from the province or territory you are currently living in;
Meet a valid status requirement.
Have a valid work permit;
Held a work permit that was valid on May 7, 2024, which has since expired, but you’ve applied for restoration of status.
Were on maintained status on May 7, 2024, on account of submitting an application for an extension of your work permit prior to that date—which is pending or was approved.
Are in Canada and meet one of the following requirements:
Will have a valid temporary resident status at the time you apply for the OWP or when a decision is made on your application.
Will apply for restoration of status when you apply for the OWP.
Only individuals who are under consideration for nomination may apply for this OWP; those who have already applied for nomination are not eligible.
Schedule a Free IEC Working Holiday work permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
How to apply for an OWP for PNP candidates
Step 1: Read through the instruction guide (5553) for applying for a work permit from within Canada.
Step 2: In your IRCC Secure Account, answer some questions to get a personalized document checklist.
Step 3: You will be asked the question “Does any of the following apply to you?,” under which various scenarios will appear.
Select “Yes,” as your eligibility will fall under this scenario: I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.
Step 4: Fill out the application form. Do the following in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section:
Box 1 – What type of work permit are you applying for?: Select “Open Work Permit.”
Box 2 – Job title and Brief description of duties: Enter the provincial or territorial code in both the job title and job duties box.
The code for Manitoba is MBEOI2024; Yukon’s code is YKEOI2024.
Step 5: Upload the documents listed in your personalized document checklist, as well as the following “extra” documents:
Copy of your passport;
Family information form [IMM 5707];
Digital photo;
OWP support letter;
Copy of your current work permit (if applicable); and
Letter of employment from your current employer.
Upload a page that says “Not applicable” for these documents: employment reference letter, employment records, and employment contract.
Step 6: Pay your fees (work permit processing fee and OWP holder fee) and submit your complete application.
BOWP eligibility
To be considered for a BOWP, you must meet the eligibility criteria detailed below.
Have submitted an application for PR under one of the eligible economic immigration pathways:
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry).
Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry).
Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry).
PNP.
Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP)
Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot.
Agri-Food Pilot.
Are currently in Canada and meet a valid status requirement:
Hold a valid work permit;
Possess an expired work permit but have maintained status; or
Are eligible to restore your status and get work authorization.
Received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) letter for your PR application;
Have completed one of the following Application for Permanent Residence (APR) stages (program-dependent).
Passed a completeness check (Section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations) if applying for PR through Express Entry or SWSP.
Received a positive eligibility assessment on your APR for any other BOWL-eligible programs.
How to apply for a BOWP
Step 1: Confirm you are eligible for a BOWP.
Step 2: On the IRCC Portal, select “Open Work Permit” when prompted about permit type.
Step 3: Complete the appropriate forms and provide the supporting documentation listed in the document checklist.
The documents required will vary depending on your PR pathway.
Step 4: Pay the work permit processing fee ($155) and OWP holder fee ($100), and submit the application.
Refugee claimant OWP eligibility
To be eligible for a refugee claimant work permit, you must
Meet general eligibility requirements for a work permit;
Have already submitted a refugee claim, and a decision on the eligibility of your claim has been made;
Have a refugee claimant document;
Have completed an immigration medical exam and provided biometrics;
Demonstrate that you require a job to pay for basic needs; and
Provide proof that you are unable to financially support yourself without reliance on government assistance.
Schedule a BOWP Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
How to apply for a refugee claimant OWP
If you did not apply for a work permit at the same time as you submitted your refugee claim, you can do so separately from within Canada.
Step 1: Sign in to your IRCC Secure Account and answer some questions to get a personalized document checklist.
Step 2: Answer some questions to get your personalized document checklist.
Step 3: Complete the appropriate forms and provide the necessary documentation, including
Proof that you have submitted a refugee claim;
Proof that you have completed an immigration medical exam and provided biometrics; and
Proof that you cannot support yourself without a job.
Step 4: If you have not yet received a decision on your refugee claim (or have been found to be a Convention Refugee or Protected Person), submit your application without paying any fees.
If a decision has been made in which you were not found to be a Convention Refugee or Protected Person and you are awaiting an appeal in federal court, you must pay the work permit processing fee and then submit your application.
OWP restrictions and limitations
An OWP allows you to work for most employers in Canada, but there are a few restrictions in place.
As an OWP holder, you are prohibited from working for any employer who
Appears on the Government of Canada’s list of non-compliant employers; and/or
Operates a business that regularly offers adult-oriented services such as stripteases, erotic dancing, escort services, or erotic massage.
For roles in which protecting public health is required, such as positions in health services, childcare, and primary/secondary education, a medical exam will be required—otherwise, your OWP will have medical conditions.
To avoid getting medical conditions on your OWP, you must get an upfront medical exam from a panel physician and provide evidence of its completion to border services officers when traveling to Canada.
Provincial nominee candidates who qualify for an OWP under this temporary public policy may have location restrictions on their OWP—that is, they may only be able to work in a particular province.
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
