​Open Work Permit (OWP)

An Open Work Permit (OWP) authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada in ANY position, without restrictions. The holder of an Open Work Permit does not need an LMIA or confirmation of employment. Once issued an Open Work Permit, the holder can then apply and work in any position or occupation they so choose in Canada. ​

​Who is Eligible for an Open Work Permit (OWP)

• Spouse and Common Law Partners being sponsored for Permanent Residency through an Inland Spousal Application
• Spouse and Common Law Partners of a Temporary Foreign Worker
• Spouse and Common Law Partners of International Students studying in Canada
• International Students who recently graduated from a Canadian post secondary institution and are eligible for the Post Graduation Work Permit Program can apply for a Post Graduation Open Work Permit
• International Experience Canada (IEC) Candidates and Working Holiday Candidates. 

​Inland Sponsorship

Spouses and Common Law Partners who are being sponsored through the inland Spousal / Common Law Sponsorship Category of the Family Class can be granted an Open Work Permit (OWP) while the application for Permanent Residence is being processed. This allows the Spouse or Common Law Partner to work in any job they so choose while waiting on the Permanent Resident application to be processed. ​

​Spouse / Common Law Partner of Temporary Foreign Worker

Spouses or Common Law Partners of a Temporary Foreign Worker must provide evidence that:

• The Principal Temporary Foreign Worker has employment in Canada that is at a management level, or a job in a professional occupation, or as a technical or Skilled Tradesperson. Therefore the skill level of the Temporary Foreign Worker must be Skilled or in a Skilled Trade. This skill requirement does not apply to Principal Temporary Foreign Workers who have been nominated for Permanent Residency by a province through one of the Provincial Nominee Programs. 
• The Principal Temporary Foreign Worker is permitted to work in Canada for a minimum of at least 6 months. 

​Spouse / Common Law Partner of Foreign Student

In order to be eligible for an Open Work Permit (OWP), the Spouse or Common Law Partner of a foreign student cannot themselves be a full time student and must provide proof that;

• The foreign student is studying full time at a diploma or degree granting, publicly funded post secondary educational facility; or
• The foreign student has graduated and is the holder of a valid Work Permit for a job related to his or her studies

FOR SPOUSES AND COMMON LAW PARTNERS, OWP ARE GENERALLY ISSUED WITH A VALIDITY DATE THAT COINCIDES WITH THE PERIOD OF TIME THAT THEIR SPOUSE IS PERMITTED TO WORK OR STUDY IN CANADA. ​

International Graduates

To be eligible for an Open Work Permit, graduating international students must meet the requirements under the Post Graduation Work Permit Program

​International Experience Canada (IEC)

Open Work Permits are also available to candidates for the International Experience Canada (IEC) and to candidates under the Working Holiday Categories. ​