Foreign nationals can receive an open work permit in Canada in specific situations, which allow them to work for most employers across Canada. In many cases, open work permits in Canada provide flexibility and valuable Canadian work experience for applicants.
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This article will cover the following aspects:
- 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 presents the most common OWP types, for whom they are issued, and each type’s maximum validity period.
Work permit type |
Who’s it for? |
Maximum work permit validity |
| Maximum validity of a work permit Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | International graduates of eligible institutions | Up to 3 years |
| Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) | Spouses of certain temporary foreign workers and international students | Same length as the principal applicant’s permit |
| International Experience Canada (IEC) — Working Holiday | Youth between the ages of 18–35 (or 18–30) from selected countries | Up to 2 years |
| Open Work Permit for PNP candidates | Provincial Nominee applicants with an OWP support letter | Up to 2 years |
| Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) | Temporary workers in Canada whose PR application is pending | Up to 2 years |
| Refugee Claimant Open Work Permit | Individuals claiming refugee protection and awaiting a decision | Up to 2 years |
If you are starting from scratch, studying in Canada to get a PGWP is often the most direct route to a secure open work permit in Canada.
If you fall between 18-35 years of age, or for some countries, 18-30 years, then the IEC (International Experience Canada) Working Holiday route is another option.
Countries participating in the IEC Working Holiday
- Andorra (18–30)
- Australia (18–35)
- Austria (18–30)
- Belgium (18–30)
- Chile (18–35)
- Costa Rica (18–35)
- Croatia (18–35)
- Czech Republic (18–35)
- Denmark (18–35)
- Estonia (18–35)
- Finland (18–35)
- France (18–35)
- Germany (18–35)
- Greece (18–35)
- Hong Kong (18–30)
- Iceland (18–30)
- Ireland (18–35)
- Italy (18–35)
- Japan (18–30)
- Korea, Rep. (18–35)
- Latvia (18–35)
- Lithuania (18–35)
- Luxembourg (18–35)
- Netherlands (18–30)
- New Zealand (18–35)
- Norway (18–35)
- Poland (18–35)
- Portugal (18–35)
- San Marino (18–35)
- Slovakia (18–35)
- Slovenia (18–35)
- Spain (18–35)
- Sweden (18–30)
- Taiwan (18–35)
- United Kingdom (18–35)
Other OWPs exist for specific situations: PR applicants, PNP candidates, refugee claimants, and spouses of eligible workers or students.
PGWP eligibility
There are numerous eligibility rules for the PGWP. Ensure that you meet all conditions that apply to your situation.
General eligibility rules
To qualify for an open work permit in Canada, you must:
- Complete a program at a PGWP-eligible DLI that is at least eight months long (or 900 hours in Quebec).
- Maintain full-time status in all required study periods (part-time allowed in the last term).
- Meet the language requirements for your program level.
- Apply for the open work permit in Canada within 180 days from the date you received confirmation that you completed your program.
- Make sure your study permit was valid at some point during those 180 days before you apply.
Program and field requirements
- Eligibility rules vary by credential: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, college or polytechnic programs, and flight schools.
- The 6-digit CIP code for your program must be on the eligible list when you apply unless you meet specific exemptions, such as graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher or applying before Nov 1, 2024.
Location rules
- Different rules apply for graduates who are inside Canada and those applying from abroad.
- Certain short courses, general interest classes, or ESL/FSL programs do not qualify.
How to apply for a PGWP
Step 1: Verify that you meet all the eligibility criteria: general, program, field (where applicable), and location.
Step 2: Read the correct IRCC instruction guide.
- Applying from within Canada: Instruction Guide 5580.
- Applying from outside Canada: Instruction Guide 5487.
Note: Applicants residing in Canada should use a Canadian address on the application.
Step 3: If you’re applying online, sign in to or create your IRCC Secure Account to fill out the form.
If applying from outside Canada, in “Details of intended work in Canada”:
- Q1: Select “Open Work Permit.”
- Q2 (Name of employer): Write “Post Graduate Work Permit.”
Step 4: Answer IRCC questions to get your personalized document checklist for your open work permit in Canada. After that, upload all the required forms and supporting documents. If, because of system limitations, the proof of language test or proof of field-of-study does not appear on IRCC’s checklist, upload these under “Client Information.”
Step 5: Pay the fees for a work permit processing and for the OWP holder, and submit a complete application.
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SOWP eligibility
IRCC updated the SOWP rules recently. Now, only spouses or common-law partners of certain temporary foreign workers and international students qualify.
Eligible foreign workers must be in:
- TEER 0 or 1 occupations; or
- A qualifying TEER 2 or 3 occupation in one of the following sectors: natural and applied sciences, construction, health, natural resources, education, sports, or military.
Foreign workers must also:
Have a valid work permit, or an approved permit, that is valid for at least six months when applying;
- live and work in Canada (or intend to); and
- Have a permit tied to certain economic-class PR programs or pilots.
Spouses/Partners must:
- Have general work permit eligibility;
- Demonstrate a genuine relationship with the principal applicant; and
- If in Canada, have valid status, maintained status or be eligible for restoration.
Applicants for the position of student principal should be:
- Enrolled at a DLI and in a qualifying program: a master’s of 16+ months, a doctoral program, certain eligible programs in some provinces, or one of the specified professional degree programs.
How to apply for an SOWP
You can apply from inside or outside Canada. Steps vary if you apply together with the principal applicant.
Applying with the principal applicant
- The principal applicant logs into their IRCC account and selects “Yes” to apply for a family member.
- When asked, select “Work with an open work permit in Canada”.
Applying separately
- Log in with your own IRCC Secure Account and follow the guided questions for your open work permit in Canada.
- For applicants outside Canada, answer the table questions as shown in IRCC guidance; for example, “Temporarily-more than 6 months”, “Yes” to active public policy, etc.
- If you are an applicant inside Canada, indicate your current immigration status and answer the qualifying scenario questions honestly.
Part 2: Please upload your customized document checklist. Merge documents when needed and insert the “Client Information” field when necessary.
Part 3: Pay application fees; if applying with the principal applicant, they too will pay for their processing fee.
Part 4: Apply.
Schedule a Free SOWP Consultation with Temboh Immigration
IEC Working Holiday eligibility
- IEC categories have their own requirements. For a Working Holiday open work permit in Canada, you usually need to:
- Be a citizen of a participating country (list varies, usually ~ 35 countries);
- Be between 18 and 30/35 depending on nationality;
- Have valid health insurance that covers medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation;
- Have at least CAD $2,500 for initial expenses;
- Hold a valid passport for the stay; and
- Have a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.
- Dependents are usually not allowed.
How You Can Apply for the IEC Working Holiday Open Work Permit
Step 1: See whether you are eligible to enter the IEC pool via the online questionnaire using the IRCC Secure Account or “Come to Canada” tool.
Step 2: If you’re eligible, you can then go ahead and create your IEC profile for an open work permit in Canada. You’ll need your passport for this. If you completed the questionnaire without signing in, select your personal reference code and input it when you create the account.
Step 3: Gather supporting documents early. IRCC auto-generates a checklist once your profile is created.
Step 4: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Step 5: Accept the ITA in 10 days and begin your application in your online account.
Step 6: Complete the IEC open work permit in Canada application within 20 days of accepting the ITA.
Step 7: Payment of fee and submission of the complete application for: IEC fee plus OWP holder fee.
OWPs for PNP candidates
- Under IRCC’s temporary public policy, some provincial nominee candidates may be eligible for an open work permit in Canada. Typical conditions include:
- Being in an EOI pool or having applied to participating PNPs (e.g., Manitoba, Yukon);
- Holding a letter of employment and an OWP support letter from the province;
- Meeting the valid status requirements: valid work permit, maintained status, or eligible for restoration;
- Meeting any program-specific eligibility – for instance, holding a valid permit on May 7, 2024, or being on maintained status.
Only candidates under active consideration for nomination may apply under this policy.
Schedule a Free IEC Working Holiday work permit Consultation with Temboh Immigration
How to apply for an OWP for the PNP candidates
Step 1: Read IRCC instruction guide 5553 for in-Canada applications.
Step 2: Answer questions to get a personalized checklist based on your situation using your IRCC secure account.
Step 3: When prompted about which scenario applies, select Apply under an active public policy.
Step 4: Under “Details of intended work in Canada,” select “Open Work Permit” and use the provincial code for job title and duties, such as MBEOI2024 for Manitoba or YKEOI2024 for Yukon.
Step 5: Upload checklist documents and extra items such as a passport copy, IMM 5707, photo, OWP support letter, work permit copy, and employment letter. For employment records not applicable, upload a “Not applicable” page.
Step 6: Pay the fees and submit.
BOWP eligibility
To be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit in Canada, you must:
- Have applied for PR under an eligible economic pathway (e.g., Express Entry programs, PNP, Quebec SWSP, certain pilots);
- Be in Canada with a valid status (work permit, maintained status, or eligible for restoration);
- Have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) for your PR application or met program-specific APR milestones.
How to apply for a BOWP
Step 1: Confirm BOWP eligibility.
Step 2: Select the “Open Work Permit” option on the IRCC portal.
Step 3: Fill in forms and attach supporting documents (different for each pathway to PR).
Step 4: Pay the processing fee.
Refugee Claimant Open Work Permit in Canada Eligibility
To qualify for a refugee claimant open work permit in Canada, applicants must meet several important conditions set by IRCC. You must:
- Fulfill the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.
- Have already submitted a refugee claim and received an eligibility decision.
- Hold a valid Refugee Claimant Document issued by IRCC.
- Complete both an immigration medical examination and biometrics.
- Prove that you need employment to maintain a basic standard of living and that you are unable to support yourself without financial assistance.
Meeting these criteria ensures that your application for an open work permit in Canada is processed smoothly and without unnecessary delays.
Schedule a BOWP Consultation with Temboh Immigration
How to Apply for a Refugee Claimant Open Work Permit in Canada
If you did not apply for a work permit when submitting your refugee claim, you can still apply separately while staying in Canada.
Step 1: Log in to your IRCC secure account to create a personalized document checklist. This checklist will guide you through the requirements for your Open Work Permit in Canada.
Step 2: Complete the necessary forms and attach all required documents, including proof of your refugee claim, medical examination results, biometrics, and evidence of financial need. These documents support your eligibility for an Open Work Permit in Canada.
Step 3: If your refugee claim is still pending or you have already been recognized as a Convention refugee or Protected Person, you can submit your application without paying the processing fees. However, if you are awaiting an appeal after receiving a negative decision, you will need to pay the required fee before submitting your application.
OWP restrictions and limitations
An open work permit in Canada allows work for most employers, but some limits apply. You cannot work for employers who:
- Appear on the Government of Canada’s list of non-compliant employers; or
- Operate businesses that, as a regular course of operations, feature live adult-oriented entertainment, such as exotic dancing, stripping, escort services or erotic massage.
Some roles that involve contact with public health services, childcare, or primary/secondary education may require a medical examination. If this examination is not completed before your arrival, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may impose medical conditions on your permit.
To avoid such restrictions, it is strongly advised to get your upfront medical examination from a panel physician and carry the proof with you while traveling to Canada. This ensures a smooth process when applying for your Open Work Permit in Canada.
Additionally, provincial nominees who qualify under temporary policies may face certain location-based restrictions, meaning their Open Work Permit in Canada could be limited to a specific province.
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