There are two types of work permits:

  • Open Work Permit
  • Closed Work Permit (also known as Employer-specific work permit)

 

OPEN WORK PERMIT

Applicants are eligible to apply for an open work permit if they fall under one of the below category:-

  • International student who graduated from a designated learning institution (this is called Post-graduation Work Permit program);
  • Destitute Student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of his/her studies;
  • Dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence;
  • Spouse/ common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student;
  • Refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member;
  • Temporary resident permit holder;
  • Young worker participating in special programs

 

Please note that one can apply for work permit extensions, in order to extend the validity of the permit or if needed to make any changes to the conditions on the work permit.

Post-Graduation Work Permit Program:-

An International student can apply for Post-graduation Work Permit. The applicant:-

  • Must have completed a study program at a designated learning institute for a period of 8 months or more, and that led to a degree/diploma or a certificate;
  • Must have maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of the study program;
  • Must have graduated from one of the following:-
    • A public post-secondary school, such as a college, trade/technical school, university or CEGEP (in Quebec);
    • A private post-secondary school (in Quebec) that operates under the same rules as public schools in Quebec;
    • A private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer, that leads to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP)
    • A Canadian private school that can award degrees under provincial law (for example, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree).

CLOSED WORK PERMIT

A closed work permit or an Employer specific work permit is a LMIA based work permit, that is conditional in nature and restricts you to work for only the specific employer for a limited/given time period. Please visit the “LMIA” section for more details.