Foreign nationals wanting to work in Canada must have all the proper authorizations. A majority of the foreign nationals see this authorization in the form of a valid work permit. However, there are certain exemptions to the work permit requirements.
Open work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Open work permits are highly sought after for the freedom they give their holders. While most work permits are tied to a specific employer, an open work permit allows a foreign national to work for any employer in Canada and the freedom to move from location to location at their own discretion. By gaining Canadian work experience, many foreign nationals will improve their eligibility for Canadian permanent residency. As Canadian work experience is accrued, foreign nationals can monitor their eligibility for the following pathways to permanent residence:
Even with an open work permit, foreign nationals are not eligible to accept employment from the following categories of employers:
Foreign nationals in the following situations may be eligible to apply for an open work permit:
The exact eligibility requirements and application procedure varies depending on which of the above-mentioned situations a foreign national meets.