Canada Open Work Permit: Who Qualifies & How to Apply

Open vs. Employer-Specific Work Permits

Open work permits are issued under various provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), including section 205. The standard work permit processing fee is $155, and most open work permit applicants also pay the $100 open work permit holder fee (so $255 in government fees, plus $85 biometrics per person where required, capped at $170 per family). Some categories, such as vulnerable workers and refugee claimants, have fee waivers. Always verify current fees on canada.ca, as IRCC fee amounts can change.

Spousal / Family Open Work Permit (Spouse of a Worker)

Spouses or common-law partners of certain work permit holders or PR applicants may obtain an open work permit under the family open work permit provisions of the IRPR. There are two common streams. Note that the rules for spouses of foreign workers were tightened effective January 21, 2025, so this is one of the categories most worth verifying on canada.ca before you apply.

Spouse of a Foreign Worker (rules changed Jan 21, 2025)

Since January 21, 2025, IRCC has limited family open work permits to spouses of certain higher-skilled workers. In general, you may be eligible if your spouse or common-law partner holds (or has been approved for) an eligible work permit, but eligibility is now narrower than before. As a general guide (confirm the current list on canada.ca):

• Your partner generally must hold a valid work permit in a NOC TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or in a select TEER 2 or 3 occupation in a priority sector (for example natural and applied sciences, construction, health care, natural resources, education, sports or the military). Spouses of workers in lower-skilled TEER 4 or 5 jobs are generally no longer eligible
• Your partner's work permit (or approval) generally must be valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives your open work permit application
• You must be in a genuine marriage or common-law relationship; an officer assesses whether the relationship is genuine
• If approved, your open work permit is generally issued for the same duration as your partner's work permit

Spouse of an Inland Spousal Sponsorship Applicant

If you are being sponsored for permanent residence by your Canadian citizen or PR spouse through an inland (in-Canada) spousal sponsorship application, you may be able to receive an open work permit while your PR application is being processed. This open work permit is generally valid until a decision is made on the PR application. An officer decides eligibility in each case.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

The BOWP helps maintain your work authorization while your permanent residence application is being processed. It is designed to bridge the gap between your current work permit expiring and a decision on your PR application. Typical eligibility (an officer confirms in each case):

• You are in Canada with valid temporary status (a valid work permit, or maintained/implied status because you applied to extend before expiry)
• Your current work permit is expiring soon (generally within about 4 months)
• You have submitted a PR application under an eligible program, such as Express Entry (CEC, FSW, FST), a Provincial Nominee Program, the Quebec Skilled Worker program, or certain other pathways
• Your PR application has passed the completeness check (it was accepted into processing, not returned)
• Government fee: $155 (work permit) + $100 (OWP holder fee) = $255, plus $85 biometrics if required

The BOWP is especially important for people, such as PGWP holders, who have applied for PR but whose current permit is about to expire. Because timelines are tight, many applicants apply as soon as they are eligible. Confirm the current eligibility and that your program qualifies on canada.ca.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

The PGWP is an open work permit for international students who have graduated from an eligible program at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI). Its length generally ranges from 8 months up to 3 years, depending on the length of your study program (and it cannot extend past your passport expiry). For most people the PGWP is a one-time permit: you generally cannot get a second one. Canadian work experience gained on a PGWP can help support a later PR application, for example through Express Entry.

Significant eligibility changes took effect in 2024 and 2025, including field-of-study requirements for certain college and non-degree graduates and language-test thresholds. The rules differ by credential and continue to evolve, so check the current PGWP eligibility and field-of-study list on canada.ca before relying on it. What this means for you: meeting the rules in force when you apply is what matters, and an officer makes the final decision.

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
• The $155 work permit processing fee and the $100 open work permit holder fee are generally waived for eligible refugee claimants
• A biometrics fee of $85 may still apply if you have not already provided biometrics

A refugee claimant open work permit is generally valid for a set period and can typically be renewed while your claim is being decided (including any appeal). If your claim is accepted, you become a protected person and may then apply for permanent residence. An officer and the IRB decide the relevant steps; confirm current eligibility on canada.ca.

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
• IRCC aims to handle these applications quickly, though actual processing times vary, so check IRCC for current times

The vulnerable worker OWP is generally issued for up to 12 months 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 24 hours per week normally allowed off campus 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 an international student

  Since January 21, 2025, open work permits for spouses of study permit holders are generally limited to spouses of students enrolled in a doctoral program, a master's program of at least 16 months, or another eligible program (such as certain professional programs). Spouses of most undergraduate and college students no longer qualify. Confirm the current list on canada.ca.

• 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