An open work permit (OWP) is one of the most flexible types of work authorization available in Canada. Unlike employer-specific work permits, an OWP lets you work for almost any employer across the country and change jobs freely without needing a new permit. However, not everyone qualifies automatically, i.e., there are specific situations and eligibility rules that determine who can apply.

This detailed guide explains how you can get an open work permit in Canada in 2025, including their types, eligibility requirements, application processes, and key restrictions.

So, without further ado, let us begin!

Common Types Of Open Work Permits

There are several types of OWPs issued in Canada, each designed for a particular group of foreign nationals. Moreover, some are available to students after graduation, others to spouses of workers or students, and others to candidates waiting for permanent residency or nomination under a provincial program.

Here’s an overview of the most common types:

Work Permit Type Who’s It For? Maximum Work Permit Validity
Post-Graduation Work Permit International graduates of eligible institutions 3 years
Spousal Open Work Permit Spouses of certain temporary foreign workers and international students Length of principal applicant’s work permit
International Experience Canada Working Holiday Youth aged 18 to 35 (or 18 to 30) from select countries 2 years
Open Work Permit for PNP candidates Provincial nominee candidates with an OWP support letter from a participating province/territory 2 years
Bridging Open Work Permit Temporary workers in Canada awaiting a decision on their PR application 2 years
Refugee Claimant Open Work Permit Individuals who have made a claim for refugee protection and are awaiting a decision 2 years

If you’re starting from scratch, one of the easiest ways to qualify for an open work permit is by studying in Canada and becoming eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

For young adults aged 18–35 (or 18–30 depending on nationality), Canada also offers the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday program, which allows eligible youth from certain countries to live and work in Canada temporarily.

Nations Participating In IEC Working Holiday 

  • Andorra (18–30)
  • Australia (18–35)
  • Austria (18–30)
  • Belgium (18–30)
  • Chile (18–35)
  • Costa Rica (18–35)
  • Croatia (18–35)
  • Czech Republic (18–35)
  • Denmark (18–35)
  • Estonia (18–35)
  • Finland (18–35)
  • France (18–35)
  • Germany (18–35)
  • Greece (18–35)
  • Hong Kong (18–30)
  • Iceland (18–30)
  • Ireland (18–35)
  • Italy (18–35)
  • Japan (18–30)
  • Korea, Rep. (18–35)
  • Latvia (18–35)
  • Lithuania (18–35)
  • Luxembourg (18–35)
  • Netherlands (18–30)
  • New Zealand (18–35)
  • Norway (18–35)
  • Poland (18–35)
  • Portugal (18–35)
  • San Marino (18–35)
  • Slovakia (18–35)
  • Slovenia (18–35)
  • Spain (18–35)
  • Sweden (18–30)
  • Taiwan (18–35)
  • United Kingdom (18–35)

The remaining open work permit types are available only in specific cases such as to provincial nominee program (PNP) candidates, refugee claimants, permanent residence (PR) applicants, or spouses of students and skilled workers.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is one of the most popular open work permits in Canada. It allows international students who have completed an eligible program to gain valuable Canadian work experience after their studies.

To be eligible, you must meet several sets of requirements.

General Eligibility Requirements

  • Complete a program at a PGWP-eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) lasting at least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec-based programs).
  • Maintain full-time student status in every semester except the last one (you may study part-time in your final semester).
  • Meet the language proficiency requirements for your study level.
  • Apply for your PGWP within 180 days after receiving written confirmation that you’ve completed your program.
  • Ensure your study permit remains valid during the 180-day period after graduation.

Program-Based Requirements

The requirements differ depending on your level of study:

  • Graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
  • Graduates of university programs.
  • Graduates of college, polytechnic, or non-university programs.
  • Flight school graduates.

Field Of Study Requirements

Your program’s six-digit CIP code must appear on IRCC’s list of currently eligible programs at the time you apply.

You do not need to meet field of study requirements if you:

  • Graduated with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, or
  • Applied for your study permit or PGWP before November 1, 2024.

Location-Based Requirements

Graduates inside and outside Canada must meet slightly different conditions. If you studied online due to travel restrictions, only certain portions of your program can be counted toward PGWP eligibility.

Ineligibility

You are not eligible if you took general interest or self-improvement courses, or if your studies were focused on language training (English or French as a second language).

How To Apply For A PGWP?

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure you meet general, program, field of study (if applicable), and physical location requirements.

Step 2: Review The Instruction Guide

Refer to the official IRCC guide before applying.

Applying From Within Canada Applying From Outside Canada
Instruction Guide 5580 Instruction Guide 5487

If you are currently in Canada, use your Canadian address.

Step 3: Create Or Log Into Your IRCC Secure Account

Sign in or create your IRCC Secure Account, then follow the instruction guide to complete the right application form.

If you’re applying from outside Canada, fill in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section with the required information.

When applying from outside Canada:

  • Question 1: Select “Open Work Permit.”
  • Question 2 (Name of employer): Write “Post-Graduate Work Permit.”

Answer some questions to obtain a personalized document checklist auto-generated by IRCC.

Step 4: Upload Documents

Attach your completed forms, identification, and any additional documents. Upload missing items such as proof of graduation or language test results under the Client Information section if not requested in the checklist. 

Step 5: Pay Your Fees And Submit

Pay both the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee before submission.

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Eligibility

In order to get an open work permit in Canada in 2025, let us discuss how one can be eligible for SOWP. 

Well, the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) allows spouses or common-law partners of certain foreign workers and international students to work in Canada.

In January 2024, IRCC introduced new restrictions to focus eligibility on specific occupations and study levels.

Eligible Foreign Workers

Your spouse (the principal applicant) must be employed in a:

  • TEER 0 or 1 occupation; or
  • TEER 2 or 3 occupation in specific industries such as:
    • Natural and applied sciences
    • Construction
    • Healthcare
    • Natural resources
    • Education
    • Sports or military sectors

They must also:

  • Have a valid work permit or approval for one
  • Hold a permit valid for at least six more months
  • Be living and working (or planning to work) in Canada
  • Have applied under a qualifying economic class PR program or pilot

Spouses Or Partners Of Foreign Workers 

They must:

  • Meet the basic requirements for a work permit.
  • Show that their relationship with the main applicant is real.
  • If they are in Canada, they must:
    • Have valid temporary resident status
    • Have maintained their status, or
    • Be eligible to restore their temporary resident status.

Eligible International Students

You may qualify if your spouse or partner:

  • Holds a valid study permit from a DLI
  • Is enrolled in:
    • A master’s or doctoral degree (16 months or longer)
    • Certain eligible programs in specific provinces
    • One of 11 approved professional university-level degrees

How To Apply For A SOWP?

You can apply either from inside or outside Canada. The steps to apply online are listed below.

The process may vary depending on whether you are applying for an open work permit at the same time as the main applicant (the eligible worker or student).

Part 1: Applying With The Principal Applicant

When the main applicant fills out their application:

  • Step 1: When you’re asked, “Do you want to submit an application for a family member?”, choose “Yes.”
  • Step 2: When asked, “Why is your family member visiting Canada?”, select “Work with an Open Work Permit.”

Part 2: Applying Separately

In your own IRCC Secure Account, you’ll need to complete the following steps.

The process may vary depending on whether you’re applying for an OWP from inside or outside Canada.

Outside Canada:

Question Answer
How long will you stay in Canada? Temporarily — more than 6 months
Are you applying under a public policy? Yes
Are you a spouse or dependent child of a worker/student? Yes
What type of work permit? A work permit for a spouse/family member

Inside Canada:

You’ll be asked about your current immigration status in Canada. Choose the correct option based on your situation:

Your status Immigration Status To Select
Working without a work permit Visitor
Student Worker
Work permit holder Worker
Other types of visitors Worker

Next, you’ll see a question that starts with “Are you…” followed by a few situations. Choose “Yes” as it applies to you under the first option.

Part 3: Upload Your Documents

Upload all required documents based on your situation.

Either you or your spouse (the main applicant) will get a personalized document checklist from IRCC, depending on whether you’re applying together or separately.

If you have more than one document, you can combine them into one file and upload it under the “Client Information” section.

Part 4: Pay The Fees

Pay the application fees. This includes the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.

If you’re applying together with your spouse, they’ll also pay their own work permit fee through their IRCC Secure Account.

Part 5: Submit Your Application

After uploading your documents and paying the fees, review everything carefully and submit your application online.

IEC Working Holiday OWP Eligibility

Each IEC category has its own eligibility requirements that foreign nationals must meet to qualify. 

Eligibility Requirements

You must:

  • Be a citizen of one of the 35 partner countries
  • Be 18–30 or 18–35, depending on nationality
  • Have valid health insurance covering medical, hospital, and repatriation costs
  • Possess at least $2,500 CAD in savings
  • Hold a valid passport for your stay
  • Have a round-trip ticket or funds to purchase one
  • Not be accompanied by dependents

How To Apply For An IEC Work Permit?

In order to get an open work permit in Canada in 2025, let us understand how one can apply for an IEC work permit. 

  • Step 1: Check if you’re eligible to join the IEC Working Holiday pool by filling out the online questionnaire. You can do this through your IRCC Secure Account or the “Come to Canada” tool.
  • Step 2: If you’re eligible, create your IEC profile online. You’ll need your passport for this. Fill out all forms and then submit your profile. If you checked your eligibility without signing in, copy your personal reference code (e.g., JM1234567890), create your account, and enter the code when asked. Once you submit your profile, your name goes into the IEC pool.
  • Step 3: Start collecting the supporting documents for your work permit as soon as you can, as some documents take time to get. IRCC will automatically create a document checklist for you once your profile is ready.
  • Step 4: Wait to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
  • Step 5: When you get your ITA, accept it within 10 days. To do this, go to your online account, find the application called “Work Permit,” and click “Start application.”
  • Step 6: After accepting your ITA, complete your IEC work permit application within 20 days, and upload all your supporting documents.
  • Step 7: Pay your fees, i.e., $179.75 for the IEC program and $100 for the Open Work Permit holder fee. Then, submit your full application online.

Open Work Permits For PNP Candidates

Under a temporary public policy, provincial nominee candidates in Manitoba and Yukon can apply for an OWP if they:

  • Are in a provincial Expression of Interest pool
  • Have a letter of employment from their employer
  • Hold an OWP support letter from the province
  • Have valid or maintained status
  • You currently have a valid work permit
  • You had a work permit that was valid on May 7, 2024, but it has now expired and you have applied to restore your status
  • You were on maintained status on May 7, 2024, because you applied to extend your work permit before it expired (and that application is still pending or was approved).

You must also be in Canada and meet one of these conditions:

  • You will have valid temporary resident status when you apply for the Open Work Permit (OWP) or when a decision is made on your application
  • You will apply to restore your status when you apply for the OWP

Only people being considered for provincial nomination can apply for this OWP. If you have already applied for nomination, you are not eligible for this work permit.

How To Apply For A PNP Candidate OWP?

1. Review Instruction Guide 5553 for in-Canada work permit applications.

2. Log in to your IRCC Secure Account and answer “Yes” when asked if applying under a public policy.

3. You will be asked the question “Does any of the following apply to you?” with several options listed.

Select “Yes” because you qualify under this option: “I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.”

4. Fill out the application form. In the section called “Details of intended work in Canada,” fill it out like this:

  • Box 1 – What type of work permit are you applying for?
     Select “Open Work Permit.”
  • Box 2 – Job title and Brief description of duties:
     Type the provincial or territorial code in both boxes.

    • For Manitoba, use MBEOI2024
    • For Yukon, use YKEOI2024

5. Upload your required documents listed in your personalized document checklist, plus these extra ones:

  • A copy of your passport
  • Family information form (IMM 5707)
  • A digital photo
  • Your OWP support letter
  • A copy of your current work permit (if you have one)
  • A letter of employment from your current employer

For these documents: employment reference letter, employment records, and employment contract, upload a page that says “Not applicable.”

6. Pay the required work permit processing fee and Open Work Permit holder fee. Then, submit your complete application online.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Eligibility

The next thing to know about is the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) eligibility if you wish to get an open work permit in Canada in 2025.

To qualify for BOWP, you must:

  • Have applied for PR under one of these streams:
  • Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry)
  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • Quebec Skilled Worker Program
  • Agri-Food Pilot
  • Home Child-Care or Support Worker Pilot
  • Be currently in Canada and meet the valid status requirement. This means you:
  • Have a valid work permit
  • Your work permit has expired, but you still have maintained status, or
  • You are eligible to restore your status and get permission to work again.
  • Have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) letter for your permanent residence (PR) application.
  • Have completed one of these PR application stages (depending on your program):
  • If you applied through Express Entry or the SWSP program, your application has passed the completeness check under Section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
  • For other eligible programs under BOWL, you have received a positive eligibility assessment on your PR application.

How To Apply For A BOWP?

  1. Confirm you qualify for a BOWP.
  2. On the IRCC portal, choose “Open Work Permit.” when prompted about permit type.
  3. Complete your forms and provide the supporting documentation listed in the document checklist. Note that the documents required will vary depending on your PR pathway. 
  4. And lastly, pay the work permit processing fee ($155) and OWP holder fee ($100).

Refugee Claimant OWP Eligibility

To be eligible for a refugee claimant work permit, you must:

  • Meet general work permit eligibility.
  • Have already submitted a refugee claim, and a decision on your claim’s eligibility has been made.
  • Hold a valid refugee claimant document.
  • Have completed your medical exam and given your biometrics.
  • Show that you need a job to cover your basic living expenses.
  • Prove that you cannot financially support yourself without help from the government.

How To Apply For A Refugee Claimant OWP?

If you didn’t apply for a work permit when you submitted your refugee claim, you can still apply separately while you’re in Canada.

Step 1: Sign in to your IRCC Secure Account and answer a few questions to get a personalized document checklist.

Step 2: Review the checklist and prepare your documents.

Step 3: Fill out the required forms and upload the necessary documents, including:

  • Proof that you have submitted a refugee claim.
  • Proof that you have completed your medical exam and given biometrics.
  • And lastly, proof that you need a job to support yourself.

Step 4: If you haven’t received a decision on your refugee claim yet (or you have been recognized as a Convention Refugee or Protected Person), submit your application without paying any fees.

If your claim was not approved and you’re waiting for a federal court appeal, you must pay the work permit processing fee before submitting your application.

Restrictions And Limitations

Although open work permits give flexibility, they are not universal.

You cannot work for:

  • Employers listed as non-compliant by the Government of Canada
  • Businesses offering adult-oriented services like striptease, escorting, or erotic massage

If you plan to work in health services, education, or childcare, a medical exam is required. Otherwise, your permit may include medical restrictions. To avoid them, complete an upfront medical exam before entering Canada.

For PNP candidates, an OWP may include location restrictions, limiting you to employment within the province that issued your OWP support letter.

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