Open Work Permits

The following individuals may be eligible for an open work permit in Canada.

• International students who have graduated from an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
• Destitute students.
• Individuals who hold an employer-specific work permit but are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing physical, sexual, financial, or mental abuse at their job.
• Dependent family members of permanent residence applicants.
• Family members of foreign workers.
• Spouses and common-law partners of international students or Atlantic Immigration Program applicants.
• Refugees, asylum seekers, protected persons, and their family members.
• Individuals who are subject to an unenforceable removal order.
• Individuals with a temporary resident permit.
• Young workers participating in special programs.
• Spouses, common-law partners, dependent partners, and children living in Canada and being sponsored for permanent residency.

Closed Work Permits

Who is eligible for a closed work permit in Canada?

Foreign nationals with an LMIA-based job offer (unless LMIA-exempt) from a Canadian employer may be eligible for a closed work permit. In addition to a job offer, applicants may also need:

• A copy of the employment contract signed by the employer and foreign national.
• A copy of an LMIA OR an offer of employment number (if the position is LMIA-exempt) from the employer. An offer of employment number is a 7-digit number that is available to employers in their Employer Portal.

Please note: additional eligibility requirements may apply, depending on the type of closed work permit you are applying for.

What’s the difference between an open work permit and a closed work permit? 

The following table highlights the main distinctions between these two types of work permits in Canada.

Permit Type	Can work for any employer?	Can work in any occupation?	Location specific?	Job offer required prior to application?	LMIA required?
Open work permit	Yes (restrictions may apply)	Yes (restrictions may apply)	No (restrictions may apply)	No	No
Closed work permit (employer-specific)	No	No	Yes, in most cases	Yes	Yes (unless LMIA-exempt)