Post-graduation (PGWP)
Graduates of eligible Canadian programs, once only, within 180 days of completion.
Most common
Open work permits
Work for almost any employer in Canada.
An open work permit is not tied to a job offer, an employer, or an LMIA. It is the most flexible authorization in the system — and you can only get one if you fall into a defined category. Here is every one of them.
RCIC-led
Brampton & London
Reviewed July 2026
No job offer
Key feature
You do not need an employer or a signed offer to apply.
No LMIA
Always exempt
Open work permits are LMIA-exempt by definition.
Almost any employer
Flexibility
Except non-compliant employers and certain restricted sectors.
Category-based
The catch
You must fit a defined category — there is no general open permit.
Who qualifies
Every category that leads to an open permit.
There is no general-purpose open work permit. Eligibility comes from fitting one of these categories, each of which has its own rules.
Spouse or partner
Of certain foreign workers and of graduate-level students, under the narrowed 2025 rules.
Bridging (BOWP)
Applicants at a qualifying stage of a permanent residence application.
Vulnerable workers
Workers on employer-specific permits experiencing abuse. Free and expedited.
IEC participants
Working Holiday participants receive an open permit under youth mobility agreements.
Refugee claimants
Claimants awaiting a decision, generally with the fee waived.
Sponsored spouses in Canada
Spouses being sponsored from within Canada may qualify while the sponsorship is processed.
Destitute students
Students who can no longer meet the costs of their studies through no fault of their own.
Provincial nominee candidates
Limited routes exist for nominees of certain provinces to start working sooner.
What to know
Restrictions that still apply.
You cannot work for just anyone
Employers on the non-compliant list, and certain adult-entertainment sectors, are excluded from all open permits.
Some jobs need a medical
Work in healthcare, childcare, or agriculture generally requires an immigration medical exam first.
It may be occupation-restricted
Some open permits are issued with conditions limiting occupation or location. Read the permit itself.
Validity is tied to your category
A PGWP follows program length; a bridging permit follows your PR stage. Plan for the expiry date.
One category at a time
You apply under a specific category, and the evidence must match that category exactly.
Status matters
Applying before your current status expires is what protects your ability to keep working.
How we help
How we help.
01
Find your category
We identify which open permit category you actually fit, and whether more than one is open to you.
02
Prove the category
Each category needs different evidence. We build the file the officer expects to see.
03
Protect your status
We time the filing so you keep working under maintained status wherever possible.
04
Plan the next permit
Open permits expire. We map what follows, including the route to permanent residence.
Free eligibility check
Which open permit fits you?
Tell us your situation and a licensed RCIC will confirm which open work permit category you qualify under, if any.
- The exact category you qualify under.
- What evidence that category requires.
- Whether you can apply from where you are now.
- What to do if no open category fits.
Check your eligibility
Reviewed by a licensed RCIC, usually the same business day.
Thanks — we’ll be in touch
A licensed RCIC will review your details and reach out, usually the same business day.
Message us on WhatsApp Good to know
Questions, answered.
What is an open work permit?
An open work permit authorises you to work for almost any employer in Canada without needing a job offer or a labour market impact assessment. It is not a general entitlement — you must qualify under a specific category such as PGWP, spousal open permit, bridging permit, or the vulnerable worker permit.
Can I apply for an open work permit from outside Canada?
Usually not. Most open work permit categories are designed for people already in Canada, with limited exceptions such as International Experience Canada. If you are abroad, an employer-specific route is generally the realistic path.
Can I work for any employer at all?
Almost. Employers who appear on the non-compliant employers list are excluded, as is work in certain adult-entertainment sectors. Some occupations, such as healthcare, childcare and agriculture, also require an immigration medical exam before you can begin.
How long does an open work permit last?
It depends entirely on the category. A PGWP follows your program length up to three years, a bridging permit follows your permanent residence stage, and a vulnerable worker permit is deliberately short. Your permit document states the exact expiry.
Can I study on an open work permit?
A work permit authorises work, not study. Short courses may be possible in limited circumstances, but any substantial program generally requires a study permit. Check before enrolling, because studying without authorization has consequences.
What if I do not fit any open category?
That is common, and it is not the end of the road. An employer-specific permit, an LMIA-supported offer, or a different immigration route may still be available. The assessment is where we work that out.