Find out if you qualify for an open work permit to kickstart your career journey. Who can apply for an open work permit?
Who can apply for an open work permit?
Your relative could qualify for an open work permit through this temporary provision if you are a foreign worker in Canada and meet any of the following criteria:
- (the principal foreign worker) must meet 4 requirements:
- You have 1 of the following:
- a valid work permit (some exceptions apply)
- an approval for a work permit that hasn’t been issued yet (this means you received a port of entry letter of introduction)
- an authorization to work without a work permit
- Your work permit or authorized work must be valid for at least 6 months after we receive your family member’s open work permit application.
- You’re employed or will be employed in a high-skilled occupation (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities [TEER] category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupation Classification system) at the time your family member submits their application.
You’re living or plan to live in Canada while working.
Exceptions to eligibility:
Your family members aren’t eligible for this temporary measure if any of the following situations apply to you (the principal foreign worker):
You’ve made a refugee claim that was referred to the Immigration Refugee Board.
You’re subject to an unenforceable removal order.
You’re an international student who’s working in a co-op program.
You’re an international student working off-campus without a work permit.
You’re applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) but haven’t received a positive decision on your application at the time the decision on your family members’ application is made.
You hold a spousal open work permit.
Family member requirement
- They meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.
- They’re in a genuine relationship with the person who makes them eligible for this open work permit and are any 1 of the following:
- your spouse or common-law partner
- the dependent child of you or your spouse
- A dependent child cannot be the principal foreign worker.
- the dependent child of the dependent child (your grandchild or your spouse’s grandchild)
- If your family member is in Canada, they must be in 1 of the following situations:
- They have valid temporary resident status.
- They’ve applied to extend their status before it expired (maintained status).
- They’re eligible for restoration of their status as a
- visitor
- worker or
- student
Take Note: Minimum age to work
Before your dependent children work in Canada, check the minimum age required to work in the province/territory and in the job type they plan to work in. Canadian employers must follow provincial labour laws. Open work permit holders must also meet federal, provincial, or territorial labour laws.
Low-skilled worker
Principal foreign worker requirements
- You have 1 of the following:
- a valid work permit (some exceptions apply)
- an approval for a work permit that hasn’t been issued yet
- an authorization to work without a work permit
- Your work permit must be valid in Canada for at least 6 months after we receive your family member’s open work permit application.
- You’re employed or will be employed in a low-skilled occupation (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities [TEER] category 4 or 5 of the National Occupation Classification system) at the time your family member submits their application.
- You’re living or plan to live in Canada while working.
Your family member must meet 3 requirements:
- They meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.
- They’re in a genuine relationship with the person who makes them eligible for this open work permit and are any 1 of the following:
- your spouse or common-law partner
- the dependent child of you or your spouse
- A dependent child cannot be the principal foreign worker.
- the dependent child of the dependent child (your grandchild or your spouse’s grandchild)
- If your family member is in Canada, they must be in 1 of the following situations:
- They have valid temporary resident status.
- They’ve applied to extend their status before it expired (maintained status).
- They’re eligible for restoration of their status as a
- visitor
- worker or
- student
Take Note: Minimum age to work
Before your dependent children work in Canada, check the minimum age required to work in the province/territory and in the job type they plan to work in. Canadian employers must follow provincial labour laws. Open work permit holders must also meet federal, provincial, or territorial labour laws.
Work permit holder who has applied for permanent residence through an economic immigration program
- You hold a valid work permit or are approved for a work permit (employer-specific or open under a non-family category).
- Your work permit must be valid in Canada for at least 6 months after we receive your family member’s open work permit application.
- You live and work in Canada or you plan to live and work in Canada.
- Your work permit was issued or approved because you applied for an economic class permanent residence program.
Your family member must meet 3 requirements:
- They meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.
- They’re in a genuine relationship with the person who makes them eligible for this open work permit and are any 1 of the following:
- your spouse or common-law partner
- the dependent child of you or your spouse
- A dependent child cannot be the principal foreign worker.
- the dependent child of the dependent child (your grandchild or your spouse’s grandchild)
- If your family member is in Canada, they must be in 1 of the following situations:
- They have valid temporary resident status.
- They’ve applied to extend their status before it expired (maintained status).
- They’re eligible for restoration of their status as a
- visitor
- worker or
- student
Open Work Permit for Family Members in Canada
Canada is known for its diverse and welcoming immigration policies, and this inclusiveness extends to families of foreign workers in the country. Click here to learn more about how to apply for open work permit in Canada.
Family members of most foreign workers can apply for an open work permit.
An open work permit lets your family member work for any employer in Canada, except for one that:
- Is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
- Regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages If your family member doesn’t plan to work
- Outside Canada family members: If you’re applying for a work permit and your family members want to come to Canada, they must apply to visit or study.
- In-Canada family members: If you’re applying for a work permit and your family members want to come to Canada, they must apply to visit or study.
If you’re extending your stay in Canada as a worker and your family members want to stay as well, they must apply or extend their stay as visitors or students in Canada.
Below are extra steps that may need to be taken depending on whether the family member/applicant is in or outside Canada when they apply.
- Get your document checklist
You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.
-If your family member is applying online with you (the principal applicant)
- To submit your family member’s application for an open work permit with yours, make sure you answer the following questions correctly when you apply.
- Answer “Yes” to the question “Do you want to submit an application for a family member?”
Answer “Work with an Open Work Permit” to the question “Why is your family member visiting Canada?”
Family members of permanent residence applicants
Family members must be included as dependants in the principal applicant’s permanent residence application before the submission of the open work permit application.
-If your family member is applying online separately from you (the principal applicant)
Outside Canada applicants
Make sure your family member answers the following questions correctly when they apply.
- You would like to work temporarily—more than 6 months.
- Answer “No” to the question “Will you be coming to Canada under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC?”
- Answer “Yes” to the question
- Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who has or is applying for a work permit?
- Answer “A work permit for a spouse of an international student, or for a family member of a worker” to the question “What type of work permit do you want to apply for?”
In-Canada applicants
When your family member is asked the question: “What is your current immigration status in Canada?” they must select the answer shown below that applies to their situation:
Your family member’s situation | |
| |
| 2. Student | |
| 3. Work Permit holder | |
| 4. Other types of visitors |
Immigration status they should select | |
| |
| 2. Worker | |
| 3. Worker | |
| 4. Visitor |
Students must make sure that the rest of their answers on the work permit application form are true and accurate.
- Holds a work permit or is applying for a work permit
- Holds a study permit and is a full-time student at a university, community college, CEGEP or other authorized educational institution
- Holds a temporary resident permit that is valid for 6 months or more
- Was eligible and applied for permanent residence at an office in Canada is subject to an unenforceable removal order.
- Document to prove that you meet the requirements
You must submit documents to prove you’re eligible for this work permit. Officers may ask for more documents, if needed.
- Proof of your relationship to the principal applicant
a. Spouses and common-law partners
Examples:
- a copy of your marriage certificate
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)b. Other dependants
Examples:
- birth certificate
- adoption papers
If you’re adopted, you must provide both types of proof listed above.
- Proof that the principal applicant can or will be legally authorized to work in CanadaExamples:
- a copy of the work permit or a copy of the letter of introduction
- a copy of the visitor record with the expiry date showing that the principal foreign worker is authorized to work without a work permit
Some family members don’t need to provide this proof
Your family member doesn’t need to prove that you can or will be legally authorized to work in Canada if you and your family members
- apply at the same time, and
- you’re either
- a PGWP holder
- a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) holder outside of Quebec
- an employer-specific work permit holder
If you haven’t already checked, make sure you know when your family member can apply.
- Proof that the principal applicant can work in Canada for at least 6 months after we receive the family member’s work permit application
Examples:
- a copy of the work permit with the expiry date
- a copy of the letter of introduction (port of entry letter)
- a copy of the visitor record with the expiry date showing that the principal foreign worker is authorized to work without a work permit
- passport stamps showing the period of authorized work (if the applicant is work permit exempt)
Take Note: for Family members of PGWP holders
If your family member is applying for an open work permit at the same time as you (the principal applicant), the family member doesn’t need to provide proof of the length of time you can, or will be legally authorized, to work in Canada.
- Proof that the principal applicant is or will be working in an occupation in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupation Classification system
For most open work permit holders, such as those under the PGWP program or International Experience Canada, the proof should be a letter from the principal foreign worker’s current employer that shows
- their employment details
- their occupation
- a description of their duties
- the NOC or TEER category their job is classified under or a copy of the letter of offer of employment
Take note: for International Mobility Program Plus (IMP+) (CSQ holders outside Quebec)
Your family member doesn’t need to provide proof of your TEER category if you’re either
- an IMP+ work permit holder
- approved for an IMP+ work permit
- Proof of relationship to the principal applicant
Spouses and common-law partners
Examples:
- a copy of your marriage certificate
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) form
Other dependants
Examples:
- a birth certificate
- adoption papers
If your family member is adopted, they must provide both types of proof listed above.
- Proof that the principal applicant can or will be legally authorized to work in Canada
Examples:
- a copy of the work permit or a copy of the letter of introduction
- a copy of the visitor record with the expiry date showing that the principal foreign worker is authorized to work without a work permit
Take Note: for Family members of PGWP holders
If your family member is applying for an open work permit at the same time as you (the principal applicant), they don’t need to provide proof that you can or will be legally authorized to work in Canada.
- proof that the principal applicant can work in Canada for at least 6 months after we receive the family member’s application.
Examples:
- a copy of the work permit with the expiry date
- a copy of the letter of introduction (port of entry letter)
- a copy of the visitor record with the expiry date showing that the principal foreign worker is authorized to work without a work permit
- passport stamps showing the period of authorized work (if the applicant is work permit exempt)
Take Note: For Family members of PGWP holders
If your family member is applying for an open work permit at the same time as you (the principal applicant), they don’t need to provide proof of the length of time you can or will be authorized to work in Canada.
- Proof that the principal applicant is working in an occupation in TEER 4 or 5 of the National Occupation Classification system
For most open work permit holders, such as those under the PGWP Program or International Experience Canada, the proof should be a letter from the principal foreign worker’s current employer that shows
- their employment details
- their occupation
- a description of their duties
- the NOC or TEER category their job is classified under or a copy of the letter of offer of employment
- Proof of a genuine relationship to the principal applicant.
Spouses and common-law partners
Examples:
- a copy of your marriage certificate
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) form
Other dependants
Examples:
- birth certificate
- adoption papers
If your family member is adopted, they must provide both types of proof listed above.
- Proof that the principal applicant can legally work in Canada
The family member must submit a copy of the work permit or proof that they’ve been approved for a work permit (port of entry letter).
- Proof that the principal applicant can work in Canada for at least 6 months or longer after the date that the family member submits their work permit
The family member must submit a copy of the work permit with the expiry date or a copy of the port of entry letter.
- Proof that the principal applicant applied for permanent residence
Example: a copy of the acknowledgment of receipt letter of the permanent resident application in an economic class
- Proof that the principal applicant has included the family member in their application for permanent residence
Example: a copy of the IMM 0008 form – PR application
- Where to upload proof to show that your family member meets the requirements
If you can’t find a field in your online account to upload the supporting documents, use the “client information” field. There’s only 1 “client information” field. Your family member may need to combine more than 1 document in 1 file and upload them together.
Depending on their situation, they may also need to
- get a medical exam (the document checklist will tell them if they need one)
- They’ll need a medical exam to work in some types of jobs.
- give their fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
