On This Page, You Will Find:
- What an open work permit is
- The main types of open work permit
- The 2025 changes to spousal open work permits
- Who is eligible
- How to apply, step by step
- Fees and financial requirements
- Frequently asked questions
An open work permit lets a foreign national work for almost any employer in Canada, without needing a specific job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) at the time of application. This makes it one of the most flexible ways to work in Canada. Some open work permits are unrestricted; others are “occupation-restricted” or “location-restricted,” meaning they limit the type of job or where you can work.
The Main Types of Open Work Permit
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) – for eligible graduates of Canadian designated learning institutions.
- Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) – for spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign workers and students (see the 2025 changes below).
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) – lets some permanent residence applicants keep working while their PR application is processed.
- International Experience Canada (IEC) / Working Holiday – for young people from countries with a youth-mobility agreement with Canada.
- Vulnerable worker open work permit – for workers in Canada experiencing abuse, or at risk of abuse, in relation to their job.
- Open work permits tied to a PR application – for example, inland spousal sponsorship applicants.
The 2025 Changes to Spousal Open Work Permits
As of January 21, 2025, IRCC narrowed who can get a spousal open work permit based on the sponsoring partner’s status:
- Spouses of foreign workers: Eligible if the worker is employed in a TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation (all such occupations qualify), or in select TEER 2 and 3 occupations – specifically trades and transport (NOC 72xxx/73xxx) and natural resources and agriculture (NOC 82xxx/83xxx). Spouses of workers in many TEER 2/3 business, sales, service and manufacturing roles are no longer eligible.
- Spouses of international students: Eligible only if the student is enrolled in a graduate-level program (master’s or doctoral) or a specific professional program. Spouses of most undergraduate and college students no longer qualify.
These rules apply to applications submitted on or after January 21, 2025. Because the eligibility list changes, always confirm the current criteria on the official IRCC page before applying.
Who Is Eligible?
You cannot simply “apply for an open work permit” on its own – you must fit one of the specific categories above (or another designated category). Beyond that, you must meet general requirements: satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada when your permit expires (unless you have a pathway to stay), have enough money to support yourself, have no serious criminal or medical inadmissibility, and provide any required documents such as proof of relationship or graduation.
How to Apply
Most applicants apply online. In general you will:
- Confirm which open work permit category you qualify under.
- Gather supporting documents (for example, a marriage certificate and your partner’s proof of employment for a SOWP, or a completion letter for a PGWP).
- Complete the application in your IRCC secure account and pay the fees.
- Provide biometrics if required.
- Wait for a decision; some applicants inside Canada may keep working under maintained status while they wait.
You can apply from outside Canada, from inside Canada, or, for some travellers, at a port of entry. For the full process for employer-specific permits too, see our step-by-step Canada work permit guide and our overview of the Canada work visa. If you already hold a permit, see how to extend or change your work permit.
Fees and Financial Requirements
The open work permit application fee is CAD $155, plus a CAD $100 open work permit holder fee, for a total of CAD $255, with biometrics normally an additional CAD $85. You must also show you have enough money to support yourself (and any family members) in Canada. Confirm current amounts on IRCC’s fee list before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an open work permit and an LMIA-based permit?
An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer without a job offer or an LMIA. An employer-specific (closed) work permit ties you to one employer and usually requires an LMIA or an LMIA exemption. Open work permits are always LMIA-exempt.
Can my spouse get an open work permit if I work in Canada?
Only in certain cases since January 21, 2025. Your spouse may qualify if you work in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or in select TEER 2/3 trades, transport, natural-resources or agriculture roles. Spouses of workers in many other TEER 2/3 occupations are no longer eligible.
Can a student’s spouse still get an open work permit?
Only if the student is in a graduate-level program (master’s or doctoral) or a specific professional program. Spouses of most undergraduate and college students no longer qualify under the rules that took effect on January 21, 2025.
How much does an open work permit cost?
The fee is CAD $155 plus the CAD $100 open work permit holder fee (CAD $255 total), with biometrics usually an additional CAD $85. Always confirm the current fees on IRCC’s official fee list.
Can I keep working while my open work permit is being processed?
If you apply to renew or change your permit from inside Canada before your current permit expires, you can usually keep working under maintained status until a decision is made, provided you continue to meet the conditions of your existing permit.