Work in Canada guide: How to apply for an open work permit

Let’s today learn about applying for an open work permit in Canada. Those of you who are interested in  working in Canada after your studies and/or with the freedom to change jobs and employers should find this article informative.

What is an Open Work Permit?

An open work permit is a work permit that's granted with no specific job or employer being assigned it to. For the very reason that it isn’t job-specific, you won’t require the following when you submit an application for a work permit:

• An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) from Employment and Social Development Canada, or
• Proof that a Canadian employer has given an offer of employment via the Employer Portal and that you have made payment towards the employer compliance fee

In most cases, you are obliged to make payment of the open work permit holder fee simultaneously when you pay the work permit fee.

Eligibility for an open work permit

Meet the following criteria to get eligibility for obtaining an open work permit:

• You are an international student who graduated from a DLI and is eligible for the PGWP.
• You are a destitute student (a student who no longer has the ability to pay for the study costs)
• You have a work permit that’s employer-specific and are facing abuse or are at risk of facing abuse in connection to your job in Canada.
• You applied for a Canada PR visa.
• You are a dependent family member of an individual who has applied for a Canada PR visa.
• You are the common-law partner/spouse of an international student/skilled worker.
• You are the common-law partner/spouse of someone who has applied under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
• You hold the status of a refugee claimant, refugee, protected person, or family member.
• You are under a removal order that’s unenforceable.
• You are a young worker taking part in special programs
• You hold the status of a temporary resident permit holder.

How to apply for an open work permit in Canada?

Since you are applying from outside Canada, here’s how the procedure goes: Fill out the IMM 1295 application form. In the “Details of intended work in Canada” section

• select “Open Work Permit” for question 1
• leave questions 2 to 6 blank

Pay the following fee amounts:

• open permit holder fee - $100
• work permit fee - $155

Know your eligibility for Canada immigration. Use the Canada points calculator. If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest, or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 immigration & visa company. If you found this blog engaging, you may also like: What numbers say about Germany immigration and new skilled workers in 2021