Work Permit

A foreign national can work in Canada with adequate status document; a work permit (unless exempt from it).

 

Work permit is usually of two types:

 

• Open work permit – Permit allows you to work for any employee except strip tease, escort services erotic massages or for employers who has failed to comply with the conditions

• Employer Specific Work Permit – Permits allows you to work according to the conditions on your work permit. Conditions could be restricting to work for specific employer, duration of work and location of work.

 

You may be eligible for open work permit if you have any of these conditions, listing some of the common ones:

 

• Most popular program for obtaining open work permit is Post Graduate Work Permit Program. International students who graduates from designated learning institute can be eligible for open work permit.

 

• Applied for Permanent Residency in Canada

 

• Dependent family member of someone who applied for Permanent Residency 

 

• Spouse of common law partner of a skilled worker or international student

 

Open work permit for In-Canada spouse or common law sponsorship

 

This program is specific to a couple who have used inland spouse/common law sponsorship application to become a permanent resident. While waiting for processing of the permanent residency application spouse can apply for an open work permit.

 

• Spouse or partner must maintain legal status in Canada

• Wait for work permit application to be approved before starting to work

 

If the application for permanent residency is approved in principle, then spouse or partner can apply for open work permit online or on paper.

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Bridging Open Work Permit

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While you wait for the processing of your permanent application, you can be eligible for Bridging Open work permit. There are certain eligibility criteria to be able to apply for work permit under this category:

 

Permanent residency application in process (For example: Applied for Express Entry in any of three classes FSW/FST/CEC, Agri-food pilot)

 

• Live in Canada (Quebec excluded)

• Have a valid work permit that expires in 4 months or less

• Principal applicant on your PR application

• Passes the completeness check for the PR application

• Have received the acknowledgement of receipt letter

• Have no employment restrictions as a condition of your nomination (if applied under provincial nomination program)

• Be approved in principal for applicants who applied via paper application

 

For Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot

 

• Must live in Canada (Quebec excluded)

• Approved in principal

• Prove you have work 24 months of qualifying experience

• And meet one of the following:

  • Have a valid work permit

  • Be on implied status

  • Be eligible to restore status