Open work permit

If you are already working in Canada, your work permit is due to expire within four months and you have applied for permanent residence under one of the following:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Provincial Nominee Program

• you are already working in Canada, your work permit is due to expire within four months and your paper application has been found complete or received a positive eligibility assessment under one of the following:
  • Provincial Nominee Program
  • Caring for Children Class
  • Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class

  Note: You may be eligible for a special type of open work permit called a bridging open work permit.

• you have applied for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds and received a positive eligibility assessment (you have received a letter stating that your application has been found eligible)
• you have the needed work experience and applied for permanent residence through the Live-in Caregiver Program
• you are applying or have already applied for permanent residence under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class

• you are a family member who has been included in an application for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, and you have received a letter stating that your application has been found eligible
• Your spouse or common-law partner is
  • a skilled worker in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B, or
  • an international student at a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university or collège d’enseignement général et professionnel(CEGEP) in Quebec
• you are a family member of a foreign representative
• you are a family member of a foreign military member who is working in Canada
• you are the family member of someone whose application has been approved under one of the following:
  • Spouse or Common-law partner in Canada
  • Protected Person
  • Live-in Caregiver Program

You cannot pay for your basic needs without working and you are described below:

• you or your family member have asked for refugee status in Canada and are waiting for a decision from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, or
• you have been recognized by the RPD as a convention refugee or protected person, or
• you or your family member have had your refugee claim turned down by the RPD but you cannot be removed from Canada for reasons beyond your control, or
• you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for at least six months.

You are:

• a young worker participating in:
  • the Canada World Youth Program, or
  • the Working Holiday category of International Experience Canada, or
  • International Experience Canada with a Recognized Organization.
• a professional athlete who:
  • is allowed to enter Canada, and
  • needs to do other work to support themselves while playing for a Canadian team.
• an international student who:
  • has a study permit, and
  • cannot pay for their basic needs without working for reasons beyond your control.