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Secrets to Getting an Open Work Permit 2023

By Ella Bergquist April 20, 2018 (Updated February 14, 2023) 3 min. read
Open Work Permit Canada

What is a Canada Open Work Permit?

An open work permit allows an individual to come work in Canada without first having a specific job offer. Because it is a not job specific, you are not required to fulfill some of the same requirements as individuals with other work permits. This includes not needing the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or proof of an offer of employment from an employer who paid a compliance fee. The option of an open work permit is not open to everyone, however.

Who Can Get an Open Work Permit?

There are a number of situations you may be in to qualify for an open work permit. This includes:

The above are a basic overview of the type of person who may be eligible, however there are other qualifications an individual must have to obtain an open work permit.

Types of Open Work Permits

There are two types of open work permits:

In the case of a restricted open work permit, the individual may have occupational restrictions based on medical status, or locational restrictions based on the category of applicant they are. For example, an individual with a bridging open work permit who is a provincial nominee class applicant may be restricted to the provincial location.

Whats the Difference Between an Open Work Permit and a Closed Work Permit in Canada?

Simple, an open work permit allows a foreign worker to come to Canada and work for any employer or any position while a closed work permit allows an immigrant worker to work for a specific employer.

Secrets to Getting an Open Work Permit: Are You a Good Candidate?

According to your specific situation, as mentioned above, there are various ways you can obtain and qualify for an open work permit.

  1. If you are a permanent resident applicant who has held a work position in Canada that will end before your application is approved, you may get a Bridging Open Work Permit. This will allow you to “bridge” the time in between the previous permit expiring and obtaining permanent resident status without having to leave the country. You must ensure you qualify to do so.
  2. Young workers who qualify for programs like working holiday may use the open work permit to gain experience working and living in Canada. You must first ensure, however, that your country of origin is included as an eligible participant in the program, and that you personally meet all criteria.

In whatever way you personally qualify for an open work permit, it is important to make sure you meet all the basic requirements for living in Canada. All documentation must be accurate and in order, and inadmissibility for any number of factors can still come into play.

If you have any basic questions about the open work permit, feel free to ask them in our comment section. If you are a candidate for an open work permit and would like professional assistance, we encourage you to hire an immigration lawyer. You can fill out our free online assessment and later book a consultation with us, so that we can determine how we can best assist you!

Sarah Quernasian Avatar

Sarah Quernasian

Lawyers here are so kind and sweet and provide so much information in an easy to understand way, especially about visa and obtaining work once in the country. My lawyer was very good and I’m looking forward to having her knowledge in the future for any other immigration needs.

Charles Scalise Avatar

Charles Scalise

The thought of immigrating was very stressful for me and my family, I felt lost. However, working with VisaPlace was very positive and I recommend them to those who need help with immigration. Their team worked with me very closely and presented to me multiple potential options and explained what the process would look like as well as the timeline. I’m so grateful to their guidance.

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Pherry AshMalt

I won’t go into detail for privacy, but I was in a very bad situation where almost no lawyer would work with me or even provide me with legal counsel on my case. I was terrified of being removed from the country, but with the help of the professionals at VisaPlace, they were able to help me and I was allowed to stay. The relief I feel is immense. Thank you to the amazing team.

Walter J. Avatar

Walter J.

I was frustrated after talking to several different immigration firms. Many just didn’t seem honest or upfront. However, a friend recommended VisaPlace to me, and I am glad they did. I worked with a lady and she was very knowledgeable and explained the process to me. She was so essential for the immigration process. I would definitely go back to her if i needed any further support.

Marco Tame Avatar

Marco Tame

I’d like to be clear that I’m somewhat of a skeptic, especially when it comes to investing time and money into a new venture. I’m originally from the UK but I made the decision to migrate to Canada after meeting my girlfriend online six months ago. I know the process is going to take time, but I wanted legal counsel to make sure I approach the process in the most efficient way possible – I HATE wasting time. My consultation over the phone was informative and eased some of my initial concerns about potential hiccups. The lawyer I worked with was good about getting back to me, although occasionally she couldn’t be reached due to being in court – that was fine, she typically followed up relatively quickly. I’m now well within the process of immigrating and I have appreciated having the legal support.

Michael Her Avatar

Michael Her

It was pretty easy to make an appointment with visaplace. I have seen some people complain about the pricing, which is odd because in comparison to other firms, their rates are relatively fair. They were also honest and upfront with the complexities of my case and gave me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to move forward. I did end up moving forward and things have been going according to what we discussed. I am relieved to know there are honest professionals out there who won’t over-promise you things they can’t deliver.

Michael Her Avatar

Michael Her

It was pretty easy to make an appointment with visaplace. I have seen some people complain about the pricing, which is odd because in comparison to other firms, their rates are relatively fair. They were also honest and upfront with the complexities of my case and gave me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to move forward. I did end up moving forward and things have been going according to what we discussed. I am relieved to know there are honest professionals out there who won’t over-promise you things they can’t deliver.