Who Can Apply for an Open Work Permit in Canada?

An open work permit (OWP) allows an eligible foreign national to work for most employers in Canada without being tied to one specific employer.

Unlike an employer-specific work permit, an open work permit normally does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and the employer generally does not need to submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal or pay the employer compliance fee.

However, an important point is often misunderstood:

You cannot simply choose to apply for an open work permit because you want the flexibility to work for different employers.

Open work permits are available only in specific situations established by Canadian immigration law, immigration programs or temporary public policies.

This guide provides an overview of the main categories of people who may qualify for an open work permit in Canada in 2026.

Important: Each category has its own eligibility requirements. Being listed in one of the groups below does not automatically mean that you qualify.

1. Post-Graduation Work Permit Applicants

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is one of Canada's best-known open work permits.

It may be available to international students who have completed an eligible program at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.

Not every Canadian school or program qualifies for a PGWP.

Depending on when the student applied for their study permit and the type of program completed, eligibility can also depend on factors such as:

• the length and type of program;

• maintaining full-time student status during the program, subject to permitted exceptions;

• the amount of the program completed in Canada;

• language test results; and

• for some non-degree programs, whether the program is in an eligible field of study.

PGWP applications are also subject to a strict application deadline after completion of studies.

The length of a PGWP can vary depending on the program completed and the applicant's passport validity.

2. International Experience Canada – Working Holiday

Some foreign nationals may obtain an open work permit through the Working Holiday category of International Experience Canada (IEC).

IEC is available mainly to citizens of countries or territories that have a youth mobility arrangement with Canada. Eligibility varies by country and may include requirements related to:

• age;

• citizenship;

• the number of times a person may participate;

• available quotas; and

• receiving an invitation to apply.

It is important to distinguish the Working Holiday category from other IEC categories.

Working Holiday generally provides an open work permit, while categories such as Young Professionals normally involve an employer-specific work permit.

3. Destitute International Students

In limited circumstances, an international student in Canada may qualify for an open work permit if circumstances beyond their control have made them temporarily unable to pay for their studies and basic living expenses.

This is not intended for ordinary financial difficulties or for students who simply want additional employment.

There must normally be exceptional circumstances that caused the student's financial situation to change unexpectedly.

4. Spouses and Common-Law Partners of International Students

Some spouses and common-law partners of international students may qualify for an open work permit.

The rules became significantly more restrictive in recent years.

In general, the international student must now be studying in an eligible program, such as:

• a master's degree program of at least the required duration;

• a doctoral degree program;

• certain professional university degree programs; or

• certain specifically designated programs.

Therefore, being married to an international student does not by itself create eligibility for an open work permit.

For example, spouses of students in many college programs and undergraduate programs are no longer eligible under the general spousal OWP rules.

5. Spouses and Common-Law Partners of Foreign Workers

Certain spouses and common-law partners of foreign workers in Canada may also qualify for open work permits.

For workers who are not already on an eligible permanent residence pathway, eligibility generally depends on the principal worker's occupation and remaining work authorization.

Under the current rules, the principal worker generally needs to be employed in:

• a TEER 0 occupation;

• a TEER 1 occupation; or

• certain specifically identified TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations.

The principal worker must also normally have sufficient time remaining on their authorized work period when the spouse's application is submitted.

There are different rules for family members of workers who have already applied for permanent residence or who are working under certain eligible permanent residence pathways.

Because the requirements vary significantly depending on the worker's immigration program, occupation and work permit, spousal OWP eligibility should be assessed based on the specific circumstances.

6. Family Members of Certain Permanent Residence Applicants

Some spouses, common-law partners and dependent family members of permanent residence applicants may qualify for open work permits.

Eligibility depends on the permanent residence program, the stage of the PR application and the immigration status of the principal applicant.

This can include family members of certain workers who have:

• already submitted an eligible permanent residence application; or

• entered a recognized immigration pathway toward permanent residence.

There is no general rule that says every family member of a PR applicant can obtain an open work permit.

The exact permanent residence program matters.

7. Sponsored Spouses, Partners and Certain Dependent Children in Canada

A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner who is being sponsored for Canadian permanent residence and is living in Canada may be eligible for an open work permit while the sponsorship application is being processed.

Certain accompanying dependent children may also qualify.

In many cases, the permanent residence application must first have passed IRCC's completeness check, and an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) must have been issued.

There are also specific provisions for certain applicants whose temporary status is close to expiring and for some applicants who are out of status.

Submitting a sponsorship application does not automatically give a person authorization to work. A separate work permit application is still required.

8. Refugees, Refugee Claimants and Protected Persons

Certain people involved in Canada's refugee and protection system may qualify for an open work permit.

This can include:

• eligible refugee claimants in Canada;

• protected persons;

• certain family members; and

• some individuals who are subject to a removal order that cannot currently be enforced.

Eligibility depends on the person's immigration proceedings and circumstances.

For refugee claimants, the ability to work is generally intended to allow them to support themselves while their claim is being processed.

9. Vulnerable Workers Experiencing Workplace Abuse

Canada has a special open work permit for vulnerable workers.

It may be available to a worker who is already in Canada on an employer-specific work

permit and is:

• experiencing abuse in their employment; or

• at risk of workplace abuse.

Abuse can take different forms and may include physical, psychological, sexual or financial abuse.

The purpose of this permit is to allow an eligible worker to leave an abusive employment situation without immediately losing their ability to work legally in Canada.

This is a special protection measure and has its own eligibility and evidence requirements.

10. People Covered by Temporary Crisis Measures

Canada sometimes introduces temporary immigration measures in response to wars, humanitarian emergencies, natural disasters or other international crises.

Some of these measures may allow eligible people already in Canada to obtain or extend an open work permit.

Eligibility can depend on factors such as:

• nationality;

• immigration status;

• when the person entered Canada;

• whether they already benefited from an earlier special measure; and

• when the application is submitted.

These policies can change quickly and often have specific expiry dates.

For this reason, someone relying on a country-specific humanitarian measure should always check the current IRCC policy before applying.

11. Permanent Residence Applicants – Including Bridging Open Work Permits

Some people who have already applied for permanent residence may qualify for an open work permit while their PR application is being processed.

One of the most common examples is the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

A BOWP may be available to eligible principal applicants under certain economic immigration programs who:

• are living in Canada;

• have submitted a qualifying permanent residence application;

• have reached the required processing stage; and

• meet the applicable temporary-status and work-permit requirements.

Potentially eligible programs can include certain applicants under Express Entry, Provincial

Nominee Programs and Quebec economic immigration programs, among others.

Simply creating an Express Entry profile or entering the Express Entry pool is not enough. The applicant generally needs to have actually submitted their permanent residence application after receiving an invitation to apply.

Other types of in-Canada permanent residence applicants may also become eligible for an OWP at a particular stage of processing.

12. Temporary Resident Permit Holders

A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) holder in Canada may be eligible for an open work permit if their TRP is valid for at least the required period.

A Temporary Resident Permit should not be confused with:

• a Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa);

• a visitor record; or

• an electronic travel authorization (eTA).

A TRP is a special document generally issued to someone who is inadmissible to Canada or does not otherwise meet the requirements of Canadian immigration law but has been permitted to enter or remain in Canada.

13. Certain Indigenous Persons and Their Family Members

Certain Indigenous persons with connections across the Canada–United States border may qualify for open work permits under Canada's Indigenous Border Mobility Measures.

Certain eligible family members may also qualify.

This is a specialized immigration measure with specific requirements relating to Indigenous identity, citizenship or place of birth and family connections in Canada.

14. Certain Quebec Investors

Some foreign nationals selected under Quebec's investor immigration program may qualify for an open work permit that allows them to work in Quebec.

This is a specialized category connected to Quebec's immigration selection process and has its own provincial and federal requirements.

The permit may be geographically restricted to Quebec even though it is considered an open work permit.

Need Help Determining Your Open Work Permit Eligibility?

Canadian open work permit rules have changed considerably in recent years, particularly for spouses of international students and foreign workers.

At Immigrative Visa Services Inc., we can review your immigration status, your spouse or partner's status, employment or studies, and your long-term immigration plans to determine whether an open work permit or another type of work authorization may be available.

Book an immigration consultation with Immigrative Visa Services Inc. to review your options before submitting an application.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration requirements and temporary public policies may change. Eligibility should be assessed based on the rules in effect when you submit an application.