An Open Work Permit allows eligible foreign nationals to work for any employer in Canada without needing a job offer or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This type of permit provides flexibility and freedom to gain Canadian work experience — which can later support a transition to permanent residency (PR).
There are two popular types of open work permits:
For graduates eligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
If your spouse is:
…you may qualify for an Open Work Permit valid for the same duration as their study/work permit.
Benefits:
International students who complete eligible programs at Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) can apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP):
PGWP is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — timing and program eligibility matter.
You may be eligible if:
You are ready to work in Canada temporarily under employer-specific conditions
To apply for an Open Work Permit, you must:
Be admissible to Canada (pass background, medical, and security checks)
We support workers, graduates, and spouses by:
Advising on how to transition from Open Work Permit to PR
