Canada Open Work Permit: Who Qualifies & How to Apply

Open vs. Employer-Specific Work Permits

Open work permits are issued under IRPR section 205 and related provisions. The $100 open work permit holder fee (introduced in 2023) applies to most OWP categories except vulnerable workers and some spousal applicants.

Spousal / Common-Law Partner OWP

Spouses or common-law partners of certain work permit holders or PR applicants can obtain an open work permit under IRPR section 205(c)(ii). There are two main streams:

Spouse of a Skilled Worker

If your spouse or common-law partner holds a work permit in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, you are eligible for an open work permit. Requirements:

• Your partner must hold a valid work permit for a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
• You must be in a genuine marriage or common-law relationship (12+ months cohabitation)
• Your partner's work permit must be valid for at least 6 months at time of your application
• Your OWP will generally be valid for the same duration as your partner's work permit

Spouse of a Spousal Sponsorship Applicant (Inland)

If you are being sponsored for PR by your Canadian citizen or PR spouse through an inland spousal sponsorship application, you can receive an open work permit while your PR application is being processed. This OWP is valid until a decision is made on your PR application.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

The BOWP maintains your work authorization while your permanent residence application is being processed. It bridges the gap between your current work permit expiring and your PR approval. Eligibility:

• You are in Canada with a valid work permit (or implied status)
• Your current work permit will expire within 4 months
• You have submitted a PR application under Express Entry (CEC, FSW, FST), Provincial Nominee Program, or Quebec Skilled Worker
• Your PR application has passed the completeness check (not returned)
• Government fee: $255 (work permit) + $100 (OWP holder fee)

The BOWP is critical for PGWP holders who have applied for PR but whose PGWP is about to expire. Apply as soon as your current permit is within 4 months of expiry.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

The PGWP is an open work permit for international students who have completed a program at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI). Duration ranges from 8 months to 3 years depending on program length.

Significant eligibility changes took effect in 2024–2025 affecting field-of-study requirements and language thresholds for college graduates. University degree graduates remain eligible regardless of field.

Refugee Claimant OWP

Refugee claimants (asylum seekers) in Canada can apply for an open work permit while their refugee claim is being processed by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Eligibility:

• Your refugee claim has been referred to the IRB (Refugee Protection Division)
• You have passed the eligibility screening under IRPA s.100
• You have undergone a medical examination
• No government fee for the work permit itself — the $255 work permit fee and $100 OWP holder fee are waived for refugee claimants
• Biometrics fee of $85 may apply if not previously provided

The refugee claimant OWP is valid until a final determination is made on your claim (including any appeal or pre-removal risk assessment). If your claim is accepted, you transition to protected person status and can apply for PR.

Vulnerable Worker OWP

Foreign workers who are experiencing or at risk of abuse in relation to their employment in Canada can apply for an open work permit for vulnerable workers. This was introduced to protect workers on employer-specific permits from exploitative situations. Eligibility:

• You hold a valid work permit or had authorization to work in Canada
• You are experiencing or at risk of abuse related to your employment (physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse)
• The abuse is linked to your employment or your employer
• All fees are waived — no work permit fee, no OWP holder fee, no biometrics fee
• Processing is expedited — typically within 5 business days

The vulnerable worker OWP is valid for up to 1 year and can be renewed. Evidence of abuse can include a statement from a shelter, police report, medical documentation, or a signed statutory declaration. IRCC takes a low threshold approach — reasonable grounds to believe abuse exists is sufficient.

Destitute Student OWP

International students who face unexpected financial hardship and cannot continue their studies without additional income may be eligible for an open work permit under the destitute student provision. Requirements:

• You hold a valid study permit
• You are in genuine financial hardship due to circumstances beyond your control (e.g., loss of scholarship, family emergency, currency collapse)
• Your financial situation changed after you arrived in Canada
• You need to work more than the 20 hours per week normally allowed on a study permit
• Supporting documentation from your DLI confirming your situation

This is a rarely used provision but can be critical for students in genuine crisis. Processing is handled on a case-by-case basis. Contact your DLI's international student office first — they can provide supporting documentation.

Francophone Mobility

The Francophone Mobility program (International Mobility Program stream) provides LMIA-exempt work permits to French-speaking foreign nationals working outside Quebec. While this stream primarily issues employer-specific work permits, it is LMIA-exempt and offers significant advantages:

• No LMIA required — employer submits an offer through the Employer Portal
• Must demonstrate French language ability (typically CLB 5+ in French)
• Position must be outside Quebec (Quebec has its own immigration system)
• Occupation must be NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Supports Canada's Francophone immigration targets outside Quebec

Francophone Mobility is a strong pathway for French-speaking workers and can lead to permanent residence through Express Entry (French language category-based draws offer lower CRS cutoffs) or Provincial Nominee Programs with Francophone streams.

Other Open Work Permit Categories

• IEC Working Holiday

  Citizens of participating countries aged 18–35 can get an open work permit through International Experience Canada (IEC) for up to 1–2 years depending on bilateral agreements.

• Applicants in Canada for PR (AIP, rural/northern)

  Some PR applicants under the Atlantic Immigration Program or Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot receive open work permits while their PR is processed.

• Spouse of international student

  Effective March 19, 2024, spousal OWPs for study permit holders are restricted to spouses of students in master's, doctoral, or professional programs and some college programs. Previously available to all study permit holder spouses.

• Protected persons

  Persons granted refugee protection under IRPA s.95 can apply for open work permits while awaiting PR.

Extending or Changing Conditions

Most open work permits can be renewed or extended if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the category under which it was issued. Key points:

• Apply to extend at least 30 days before your current permit expires (recommended: 3–4 months early)
• If you apply before expiry, you have implied status and can continue working until a decision is made
• You cannot change from an employer-specific to an open work permit unless you qualify for a new OWP category
• PGWP cannot be renewed or extended — it is a one-time permit
• Spousal OWPs expire when your spouse's work permit expires (unless renewed simultaneously)
• BOWP is valid until your PR application is decided

Frequently Asked Questions