Open Work Permit
Open work permit in Canada
An open work permit allows a foreign national to work in Canada without being tied to a specific employer. Unlike employer-specific work permits, an open work permit does not require an LMIA and does not restrict the holder to one job, employer, or location. Open work permits are issued only in specific situations defined by Canadian immigration law and policy.
Who is eligible for an open work permit?
Open work permits are available only to certain categories of applicants. Common examples include spouses or partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents being sponsored from inside Canada, spouses of skilled workers or international students, refugee claimants, protected persons, certain PR applicants in Canada, and applicants under humanitarian or public policy programs. Eligibility depends on immigration status, location, and the specific category under which the application is made.
What are the main requirements for a Super Visa?
The applicant must show they are a genuine temporary visitor and meet medical and admissibility requirements. The Canadian child or grandchild must meet a minimum income requirement and provide a written invitation and financial support commitment. Mandatory private medical insurance from a Canadian insurer is required and must cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation for at least one year.
What an open work permit allows you to do?
An open work permit allows you to work for most employers in Canada and to change jobs without applying for a new permit. It provides flexibility and allows applicants to support themselves while waiting for another immigration process to be finalized. Open work permits do not automatically allow study and may include restrictions related to medical conditions or types of work.
Open work permits are commonly refused due to ineligibility under the specific category, lack of valid status, incorrect timing of the application, missing proof of relationship or eligibility, or officer concerns about compliance or admissibility. Applying under the wrong category is one of the most common reasons for refusal.
When an open work permit is usually refused?
How long does an open work permit take to process?
Processing times for open work permits vary significantly depending on the type of open work permit, where the application is submitted from, whether the applicant is inside or outside Canada, and current IRCC workload. Some open work permit applications, such as those linked to in-Canada spousal sponsorships or public policies, may be processed relatively quickly. Others can take several months, especially where additional review is required, previous status issues exist, or background checks are involved. Processing times are not guaranteed, and delays are common. Applying correctly from the start helps reduce the risk of refusals or long processing delays.
Why legal assistance matters?
Open work permit eligibility is technical and depends entirely on the specific category under which the application is filed. Many refusals happen because applicants apply under the wrong provision, apply too early or too late, or fail to include the correct supporting documents. Mistakes can result not only in refusal, but also in loss of legal status, inability to work, or future immigration complications. Legal assistance helps ensure that the correct category is used, the timing is right, and the application is supported with proper evidence, particularly in cases involving sponsorship, restoration of status, or humanitarian considerations.
How much does an open work permit cost?
IRCC charges mandatory government fees for open work permit applications. In addition, legal fees depend on the applicant’s situation, current status in Canada, and overall complexity of the case. You should generally expect legal fees for an open work permit application to range from approximately $500 to $2,000 + HST, depending on whether the application is straightforward or involves issues such as expired status, accompanying applications, or complex eligibility considerations.
Our scope of services
Our services for open work permit applications typically include reviewing your immigration status and eligibility, identifying the correct open work permit category, advising on timing and strategy, preparing and submitting the application, drafting any required explanation letters, and communicating with IRCC on your behalf. Where applicable, we also assist with restoration of status, accompanying family member applications, and coordination with related immigration applications such as spousal sponsorships, permanent residence applications, or humanitarian requests. The exact scope of services depends on your situation and will be clearly confirmed before we proceed.
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