Work permit
There are 2 types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.
What is the open work permits?
An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:
- who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions or
- who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.
Who can apply for an open work permit?
You may be eligible for an open work permit if you:
- are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
- are a student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of your studies (destitute student)
- applied for permanent residence in Canada
- are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence
- are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student
- are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member
- are under an unenforceable removal order
- are a temporary resident permit holder
- are a young worker participating in special programs
In each of these situations, you must meet additional criteria to be eligible to apply open worker permit.
What is the employer-specific work permit?
An employer-specific work permit allows you to work according to the conditions on your work permit, which include:
- the name of the employer you can work for
- how long you can work
- the location where you can work (if applicable)
In general you need either have a copy of a Labour Market Impact Assessment or an offer of employment number from the employer to include in employer-specific work permit application.