Simple Steps to Apply for an Open Work Permit in Canada

On This Page, You Will Find:

• What an open work permit is
• The main types of open work permit
• Spousal open work permits: the rules since January 21, 2025
• Special cases and public-policy exceptions
• General eligibility requirements
• 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 restricted by occupation or location, which limits the type of job or where you can work.

You cannot simply apply for an open work permit on its own merits. You must fit a specific category set out in Canada’s immigration rules or in an active public policy. This guide explains the main categories, the narrower spousal rules in force since January 2025, and how to apply.

What Is an Open Work Permit?

An open work permit is not tied to a single employer. Most open work permits fall under Canada’s International Mobility Program, which covers work permits that do not require an LMIA. Because the permit is not employer-specific, the employer does not need to submit an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal or pay the employer compliance fee when hiring an open work permit holder.

Open work permits still carry conditions. You cannot work for an employer on IRCC’s list of non-compliant employers, or for businesses that regularly offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages. Some permits also require a medical exam before you can work in health care, childcare or primary and secondary education.

The Main Types of Open Work Permit

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): for eligible graduates of PGWP-eligible programs at Canadian designated learning institutions.
• Spousal or family open work permit: for spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign workers and international students (see the rules below).
• Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): lets certain permanent residence applicants in Canada keep working while their PR application is processed.
• International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday: for young people from countries with a youth mobility arrangement with Canada.
• Vulnerable worker open work permit: for workers in Canada on an employer-specific permit who are experiencing abuse, or are at risk of abuse, in relation to their job.
• Open work permits linked to a PR application: for example, for eligible inland spousal sponsorship applicants.

Spousal Open Work Permits: The Rules Since January 21, 2025

As of January 21, 2025, IRCC narrowed family open work permits for relatives of temporary residents. Only spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign workers and international students now qualify under the general measure, and dependent children of foreign workers in this group are no longer eligible.

Spouses of foreign workers

Your spouse or common-law partner may qualify if you, the principal applicant, meet all of the following:

• You hold a valid work permit, an approval for a work permit (port of entry letter of introduction), or authorization to work without a permit.
• You live, or plan to live, in Canada while working.
• You are employed, or will be employed, in any TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation, or in one of the select TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations on IRCC’s official list.
• Your work permit or authorization to work is valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives your spouse’s open work permit application, unless a specific exception applies.

The select TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations are not limited to the skilled trades. IRCC’s list covers occupations in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities, including:

• Natural and applied sciences technologists and technicians, such as chemical, biological, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering technicians, computer network and web technicians and construction inspectors.
• Health occupations, such as licensed practical nurses, paramedical occupations, dental hygienists, medical laboratory and radiation technologists, pharmacy technicians, nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates.
• Education and childcare, such as early childhood educators and assistants and elementary and secondary school teacher assistants.
• Sports and military, such as athletes, coaches and members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
• Construction, trades and transport, such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, heavy-duty mechanics, truck and bus drivers, pilots and air traffic controllers.
• Natural resources and agriculture, such as supervisors in logging, mining and oil and gas, miners, drillers and fishing masters.

Because the list is defined by specific five-digit NOC codes, check the principal applicant’s exact NOC code against IRCC’s current list before applying. Spouses of workers in TEER 4 or 5 occupations, and of workers in TEER 2 or 3 occupations that are not on the list, are generally no longer eligible under this measure.

Spouses of international students

Your spouse or common-law partner may qualify if you hold a valid study permit and are:

• studying in a master’s degree program that is 16 months or longer;
• studying in a doctoral degree program;
• studying in one of the listed professional degree programs at a university (for example, medicine, dentistry, law, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, nursing, education or engineering); or
• participating in one of the eligible provincial or federal programs listed by IRCC, such as the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.

Spouses of students in shorter master’s programs, most undergraduate programs and college programs no longer qualify for this open work permit.

Extensions for family members already in Canada

Family members who received an open work permit under the earlier rules can, in certain cases, apply to extend it while in Canada, as long as they apply before it expires, their current permit is shorter than the principal applicant’s permit or study permit, and they apply under the same criteria.

Special Cases and Public-Policy Exceptions

Several groups are handled under separate rules, so the TEER and 16-month conditions above do not always apply:

• Workers transitioning to permanent residence: family members of workers who have applied for PR through an eligible economic program (such as Express Entry programs, the Provincial Nominee Program or Quebec skilled worker programs), or who are on certain pathways to PR, may qualify under a separate measure that requires the principal’s permit to be valid for at least 6 months, not 16.
• Free trade agreements: spouses of workers under certain free trade agreements may be eligible for an open work permit under that agreement.
• Quebec-recruited health care professionals: as of May 25, 2026, spouses of registered nurses, respiratory therapists and medical laboratory technologists recruited by Quebec under specific programs do not need the principal’s permit to be valid for 16 months.
• British Columbia significant investment projects: as of March 23, 2026, spouses of workers on an approved significant investment project in B.C. may qualify at any TEER level, without the 16-month condition.
• Quebec skilled worker selection applicants: as of June 5, 2026, spouses of temporary workers who applied for permanent selection under Quebec’s Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés may qualify under a separate public policy.

Public policies are time-limited and can change, so always confirm the current instructions on IRCC’s website before relying on one.

General Eligibility Requirements

Beyond fitting a specific category, every applicant must meet the general requirements for a work permit. You must satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada when your permit expires (unless you have a pathway to stay), show you have enough money to support yourself and any family members, be admissible to Canada (no serious criminality or medical inadmissibility), and provide the documents your category requires, such as proof of a genuine relationship or proof of graduation. If you are already in Canada, you must have valid status, be on maintained status, or be eligible to restore your status.

How to Apply

Most applicants apply online. In general you will:

1. Confirm which open work permit category you qualify under, including any special code or instruction IRCC requires for a public policy.
2. Gather supporting documents. For a spousal permit, this typically means proof of your relationship and proof of the principal applicant’s work permit, NOC code and remaining validity, or their enrolment in an eligible study program. For a PGWP, it means proof that you completed your program and meet the language requirement.
3. Complete the application in your IRCC secure account and pay the fees.
4. Give biometrics if required.
5. Respond promptly to any IRCC requests and wait for a decision.

You can apply from outside Canada or from inside Canada. Since December 2024, most people already in Canada can no longer apply for a work permit at a port of entry (“flagpoling”) and must apply online instead. If you apply inside Canada to extend or change your permit before it expires, you can usually keep working under maintained status while you wait.

For the full process for employer-specific permits too, see our step-by-step Canada work permit guide. If you already hold a permit, see how to extend or change your work permit.

Fees and Financial Requirements

The work permit processing fee is CAD $155, plus the CAD $100 open work permit holder fee, for a total of CAD $255. Biometrics normally cost an additional CAD $85 per person (CAD $170 maximum for a family applying together). If your status has expired and you are eligible to restore it, restoration costs CAD $246.25 plus the CAD $155 work permit fee, with the open work permit holder fee added where applicable. 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 employer-specific work permit?

An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada without a job offer or an LMIA. An employer-specific (closed) work permit ties you to one employer and usually requires either an LMIA or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment submitted through the IRCC Employer Portal. Open work permits do not require an LMIA.

Can my spouse get an open work permit if I work in Canada?

Possibly. Under the rules in force since January 21, 2025, you must work in any TEER 0 or 1 occupation or in a select TEER 2 or 3 occupation on IRCC’s list, and your work permit must generally be valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives your spouse’s application. Separate rules apply if you have applied for permanent residence, work under certain free trade agreements, or fall under a specific public policy.

Which TEER 2 and 3 jobs qualify a spouse for an open work permit?

IRCC publishes a fixed list of eligible NOC codes. It includes many trades and transport occupations, but also health occupations such as licensed practical nurses and pharmacy technicians, science and engineering technicians, early childhood educators, teacher assistants, athletes, coaches, Canadian Armed Forces members and natural resources supervisors. Check the principal applicant’s exact five-digit NOC code against the official list.

Can a student’s spouse still get an open work permit?

Only in certain cases. The student must be enrolled in a master’s program that is at least 16 months long, a doctoral program, one of the listed professional degree programs, or an eligible program named by IRCC. Spouses of students in shorter master’s programs and most undergraduate and college programs no longer qualify.

How much does an open work permit cost?

The fee is CAD $155 plus the CAD $100 open work permit holder fee, for CAD $255 in total, with biometrics usually an additional CAD $85. Always confirm the current fees on IRCC’s official fee list before paying.

Can I keep working while my open work permit application is processed?

If you apply inside Canada to extend or change your permit before your current permit expires, you can usually keep working under maintained status until a decision is made, under the conditions of your existing permit. If you leave Canada during that time, you generally cannot resume working on return until the new permit is approved.