Open Work Permit
Work for almost any employer in Canada — no job offer required. Available for graduates, sponsored spouses, PR applicants, IEC participants, and more.
What is an Open Work Permit?
An open work permit allows you to work for almost any employer in Canada — without being tied to a specific job, company, or location. Unlike an employer-specific work permit, you do not need a job offer to apply. Open work permits are available only in specific circumstances, including post-graduation, spousal or family sponsorship, bridging for permanent residence applicants, International Experience Canada, and other qualifying situations.
Restrictions on Open Work Permits
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Most important open work permit for international graduates — leads directly to permanent residence
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that allows eligible graduates of Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to work for almost any employer in Canada after completing their studies. It is one of the most important pathways from student status to permanent residence — providing Canadian work experience that can qualify you for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and other PR programs. You can only receive one PGWP in your lifetime.
Important — New Requirements Effective November 1, 2024
General Eligibility — All Applicants Must Meet
Application window: 180 days from official confirmation of program completion (transcript, letter, or completion document from your DLI)
Language & Field of Study Requirements by Program Level
Select your program level to see the specific requirements that apply to you:
Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral Degree
Language Requirement
CLB/NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities (speaking, listening, reading, writing)
Field of Study Requirement
No field of study requirement — all fields eligible
Master's degree graduates are eligible for a 3-year PGWP regardless of program length, as long as the program was at least 8 months. Effective February 15, 2024.
Language requirement does not apply if PGWP application was submitted before November 1, 2024
How Long is Your PGWP?
PGWP Validity — By Program Type and Duration
| Situation | PGWP Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Master's degree (as of February 15, 2024) | 3 years | Program must be at least 8 months long. Applies regardless of actual program duration. |
| Program 2 years or longer | Up to 3 years | Standard rule for most 2-year college and university programs. |
| Program 8 months to under 2 years | Up to the same length as the program | e.g., a 9-month program may result in a 9-month PGWP. |
| Multiple eligible programs combined | Combined length of all programs | Each program must be PGWP-eligible and at least 8 months. If programs have different language requirements, the higher requirement applies to both. |
| Passport expires before full PGWP duration | Limited to passport expiry date | Renew your passport before applying to receive the full PGWP duration. You can apply on paper to extend your PGWP after getting a new passport. |
Eligible Fields of Study
Applies to college and non-university graduates whose study permit was submitted on or after November 1, 2024.
The list of eligible fields of study is established by IRCC and changes frequently based on labour market needs. As of July 8, 2025, IRCC temporarily reinstated 178 previously removed programs. The eligible fields listed above represent broad categories only — always verify your specific program's CIP code at canada.ca before making any study or immigration decisions. Consult Asteco for a current eligibility assessment.
Programs NOT Eligible for PGWP Field of Study Requirement
Who is NOT Eligible for a PGWP
Special Cases & Exceptions
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) allows eligible foreign nationals who have applied for permanent residence and whose current work permit is about to expire to continue working in Canada while their PR application is being processed.
Eligibility Conditions
Eligible PR Pathways
The BOWP is issued as an open work permit — you can work for any eligible employer while waiting for your PR. Apply as soon as your work permit has 4 months or less remaining.
Spousal Open Work Permit
Spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign workers and international students may be eligible for an open work permit.
Important: These rules changed significantly on January 21, 2025. If you applied before that date under the previous rules, your eligibility may differ. Consult our RCIC to assess your current eligibility.
Pathway 2 — Spouse of a Foreign Worker
Your spouse or common-law partner holds a valid work permit in a TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation. For applications received on or after January 21, 2025, the principal worker must not be in a transition to permanent residence pathway.
Changed January 21, 2025: Prior to January 21, 2025, spouses of workers in TEER 0–3 were eligible. The rules tightened significantly on January 21, 2025.
Pathway 3 — Spouse of an International Student
Your spouse or common-law partner is a full-time student enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer, or a doctoral program, at a PGWP-eligible DLI.
Changed January 21, 2025: Prior to January 21, 2025, spouses of all full-time post-secondary students were eligible. Now restricted to spouses of master's (16+ months) and doctoral students only.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
International Experience Canada (IEC) allows young adults from eligible countries to work in Canada through three streams:
Working Holiday
Open work permit — work for any employer in Canada for up to 1–2 years depending on your country.
Young Professionals
Employer-specific work permit — must have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
International Co-op
For students who need a co-op or internship in Canada as part of their study program.
IEC eligibility depends on your country of citizenship, age (typically 18–35), and available spots for your country. Spots open at different times throughout the year.
Other Open Work Permit Categories
| Category | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Refugee Claimants | S61 | Persons who have made a refugee claim in Canada and have no other means of support. |
| Vulnerable Workers | A72 | Temporary foreign workers experiencing or at risk of abuse from their employer. |
| TRP Holders (6+ months) | H82 | Holders of a Temporary Resident Permit valid for at least 6 months. |
| PR Applicants in Canada | A70 | Certain permanent residence applicants including SCLPC class, protected persons, and H&C applicants. |
| Provincial Nominee OWP | T13 | Provincial nominees who need to work while their PR application is being processed. |
| Hong Kong Graduates | R01/R02 | Recent graduates from Hong Kong who qualify under the special public policy. |
Government Processing Fees
Government fees are set by IRCC and are subject to change without notice. Always verify current fees at canada.ca before applying.
IRCC Government Fees — Open Work Permit
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Work permit processing fee | $155 CAD |
| Open work permit processing fee | $100 CAD |
| Total government fee (open work permit) | $255 CAD |
| Biometrics (if required) | $85 CAD |
Important: Government fees are payable directly to IRCC and are separate from Asteco's professional fees. Fees are subject to change by IRCC at any time.
How Asteco Can Help
The November 2024 PGWP changes and January 2025 spousal OWP changes have created significant complexity. Our RCIC team stays current on all rule changes and assesses your specific situation accurately.
Disclaimer: Open work permit eligibility rules, PGWP requirements, field of study lists, and processing times are established by IRCC and are subject to change at any time without notice. Significant changes took effect November 1, 2024 (PGWP language and field of study requirements) and January 21, 2025 (spousal OWP). The field of study information on this page was captured on July 8, 2025 and may not reflect the current IRCC list. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always consult our RCIC before making any immigration or enrollment decisions.
Quick Info
Disclaimer: PGWP rules and OWP eligibility change frequently. Always consult our RCIC before making any decisions.