Close and Open Work Permits

Open Work Permit

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:

• Who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions or
• Who regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you:

• are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and
• are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program are a student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of your studies (destitute student)
• applied for permanent residence in Canada
• are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence
• are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student
• are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
• are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member
• are under an unenforceable removal order
• are a temporary resident permit holder
• are a young worker participating in special programs