A Canadian open work permit allows foreign workers to select their choice of place to work in Canada.
A majority of foreign workers aiming to settle in Canada for work purposes have to enter the province through a work permit. Such work permits are attached to specified professions, employers. Work permits give the freedom of movement between enterprises, professions, and provinces of Canada.
With a Canadian open work permit, the employer is free not to take an LMIA for employing workers.
Following are a few of the given ways for matching the eligibility criteria of a Canadian work permit.
International scholars
The previous year, a majority of LMIA exempt work permits were given to international scholars who were matching the eligibility criteria of the Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students completing their graduate program of at least 24 months become eligible for getting an open work permit for 3 years. Educational programs of minimum duration of 8 months and maximum duration of 24 months are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit according to the duration of the program.
The students will only pass the eligibility criteria if they show their enrollment in Designated Learning Institutions in Canada. The IRCC has provided leverage in the eligibility criteria post-pandemic.
For example-The, IRCC has allowed international scholars to complete their program via online mode between March 2020 and August 2022.
Openwork permits for citizens belonging to countries with reciprocal agreements
International Experience Canada- This program is built to invite youth to Canada to work from over 30 nations.
Youth aged between 18-35 meeting the eligibility criteria of IEC do not require a job offer to become eligible for a Working Holiday visa.
The IEC criteria demand $2,500 for candidates so that they can cover their expenditure during the stay, which should be acceptable to Canadian provinces and various other eligibility criteria.
Spouses and common-law partners
The Canadian Government provides the opportunity of gaining work permits for partners and common law members of temporary residents, students of other nations, foreign professionals residing in Canada.
Spouses of citizens and residents of Canadian provinces staying in the country can get a work permit by applying for Inland sponsorship.
The spouses of temporary workers coming to Canada can also get an open work permit. For this, the foreign worker has to fulfill certain eligibility criteria like owning a work permit of validity of 180 days immediately after receiving a spousal work permit.
The foreign worker has to pass one of the following 4 requirements
- To be accepted from Atlantic Immigration Program, the worker should be working in NOC skill level of A, B, or 0
- The worker should be engaged in any profession categorized under any PNP.
- The worker should be engaged in any profession owing to a Quebec Selection Certificate.
There is more program-specific available for workers
International scholars enrolled in a program are one of the requirements for getting an open work permit to their spouses. The couple is required to demonstrate the generosity of their relationship.
Application for Canadian PR
Bridging Open Work Permit- This work permit allows the residents to stay till the time their application undergoes processing.
Following is the list of eligible immigration programs under BOWP
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Quebec Skilled Workers
- Agri-Food Pilot Program
The BOWP enables the increase in stay for immigrants having a temporary status whilst their application for permanent residence is under process. This also ensures a non-requirement of an LMIA or retaining the employee.
