Open Work Permit (No Job Offer Required)
An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada without an LMIA and without being tied to one company. You cannot simply apply for one because you would like it — each route has its own gateway. This is the current list, and what each one actually requires.
The routes that exist
- ● PGWP — graduates of eligible Canadian programmes, subject to the field-of-study and language rules.
- ● Bridging open work permit — for permanent residence applicants already in Canada whose application has passed the completeness check.
- ● Spousal open work permit — for partners of eligible workers and students, on much narrower terms since January 2025.
- ● International Experience Canada Working Holiday, for nationals of participating countries within the age limits.
- ● Sponsored spouses and partners applying for PR from inside Canada.
- ● Vulnerable worker open work permit — for workers experiencing or at risk of employer abuse. No fee.
- ● Refugee claimants, protected persons, people in crisis situations, destitute students, temporary resident permit holders and certain Indigenous applicants.
- ● The Hong Kong recent graduates stream is closed.
What an open permit does and does not allow
You can work for most employers, change jobs without a new permit, and work in more than one job. You cannot work for an employer on IRCC's ineligible list, and if you want to work in childcare, healthcare, agriculture or another occupation involving close contact with vulnerable people you will need a medical exam before the restriction is lifted.
There is also a $100 open work permit holder fee on top of the $155 work permit fee for most of these routes.
If none of these fit
Then the realistic routes run through an employer or through your own credentials. That might mean an LMIA-supported permit, an LMIA-exempt permit under an international agreement, an intra-company transfer, or Francophone Mobility if your French reaches NCLC 5 — a route that is genuinely underused.
Be careful with anyone offering a "guaranteed open work permit" for a fee. There is no such product. Every route on this page has a specific gateway, and no consultant can create one that does not apply to you.
How we approach it
The useful question is rarely "can I get an open work permit" — it is "what is the fastest lawful way for me to be working in Canada, and does it lead anywhere". Sometimes the answer is an open permit. Sometimes it is an employer-supported permit that positions you better for permanent residence eighteen months later. We will tell you which, including when the honest answer is that nothing fits yet.
Reviewed by a licensed RCIC · Last updated 13 August 2026. Immigration rules change often — confirm anything time-sensitive with us or on canada.ca.
Looking for related services? See our full Work Permits overview or all services.
Why Choose Us?
Personalized Assessment
- Understanding your Canadian immigration needs and goals.
- Assessing eligibility across multiple programs.
- Recommending the best pathway for your situation.
- Answering all questions and addressing concerns.
Tailored Approach
- Custom Canadian immigration plan suited to you.
- Clear proposal outlining services and payment structure: 50% before processing, 50% before submission.
- Comprehensive checklist after initial payment.
Application Fulfillment
- Dedicated case manager assigned to your file.
- Strong application prepared within 7–10 business days.
- Review and final approval before submission.
Trusted Partnership
- Kept informed at every stage from submission to decision.
- Ongoing support and guidance until you reach your goals.
- Available for status updates at any time.
Ready to take the next step?
Book an appointment with our licensed RCIC team. We'll review your case, identify your best pathway, and outline the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for an open work permit just because I want to work in Canada?
No. Every open work permit route has a specific gateway — graduating from an eligible Canadian programme, being the spouse of a qualifying worker or student, having a permanent residence application in progress, holding an IEC allocation, or being in one of the protected categories. There is no general-purpose open work permit.
What does an open work permit cost?
$155 for the work permit plus a $100 open work permit holder fee, and $85 for biometrics if you have not given them in the last ten years. The vulnerable worker open work permit is free.
Can I work in any job on an open work permit?
Almost. You cannot work for an employer on IRCC's ineligible list, and occupations involving close contact with vulnerable people — healthcare, childcare, agriculture — require a medical exam before that restriction is removed from your permit.
Is International Experience Canada still open?
Yes, for nationals of participating countries within the age limits, though allocations are limited and pools open on their own schedule. It remains one of the simplest routes for people who qualify, and it is worth checking your country's quota early in the season.
I have no status right now. Can I still apply?
It depends how long ago your status lapsed. Restoration is possible within 90 days, and some open work permit routes can be combined with a restoration application. Beyond 90 days the options narrow considerably. This is a situation where speed genuinely matters — get advice immediately rather than waiting.
Still unsure how this applies to your case? Book an appointment with a licensed RCIC.
More Work Permit services
Other pathways we handle in this area — or talk to a licensed RCIC about which fits your case.
Waymark runs on the Nova System platform — built in Abbotsford, BC by practising RCICs.