Who can apply for an open work permit?

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)
• have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada
• are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence
• are the family member of certain foreign workers in Canada
• are the spouse or common-law partner of an international student
• are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program
• are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or you’re their family member
• are under an unenforceable removal order
• are a temporary resident permit holder
• are in Canada and being sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or accompanying dependent child
• are a Quebec investor who received a Quebec Notice of Intent to Select

In each of these situations, you must meet additional criteria to be eligible.

Answer a few questions to find out if you’re eligible for an open work permit.