OPEN WORK PERMIT
Open Work Permit (OWP) allows foreign nationals to work for any Canadian employer, without having a confirmed job offer first.
In most cases, foreign nationals need a job offer and confirmation letter, known as a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply for a work permit. But with open work permit, it’s the other way around. It is not tied to a single employer or location. It is not job-specific. It does not need a job offer, LMIA or confirmation letter of employment. With open work permit, the holder can apply and work in any job or occupation in Canada.
However, the option of an Open Work Permit is not open to everyone.
Are you eligible for an Open Work Permit?
There are a number of situations to be eligible for an open work permit. This includes:
- International students who have graduated from a Canadian institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
- Student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of their own studies (destitute student)
- Employer-specific work permit holder and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada
- Permanent residence applicants in Canada
- Dependent family members of permanent residence applicants
- Spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or International Student
- Spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- Refugees, refugee claimants whose cases have not yet been heard or decided upon, protected persons, and their relatives
- Someone who is under an unenforceable removal order
- Some temporary residents
- Young workers participating in special programs
In each of these situations, you must meet additional criteria to be eligible. The exact eligibility requirements and application procedure varies depending on your situation. Open work permits may have additional requirements or restrictions which must be respected by foreign nationals.
Do you want to be sure if you are eligible? We at Ingress Immigration will sit down with you and draft a plan to achieve this goal. Contact us now!
