Differences Between Open and Closed Work Permits in Canada

You’ve probably seen the expression “open work permit” and “closed work permit” when looking for an option to work in Canada.

Not quite sure what they mean? We have all the info you need to make the decision that’s right for you!

What are open and closed work permits, exactly?

An open work permit is a work permit that is not job-specific, which means you can work for ANY EMPLOYER in Canada. You can look for a job before travelling to Canada or you can wait until you arrive. You can change employers, change jobs, or move to another city or province whenever you feel like it.

Note that some open work permits may tie you to a specific province.

A closed work permit is a work permit that is issued to work in A SPECIFIC POSITION FOR A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER in Canada. You must find an employer before applying for the work permit. The name of your employer and how long you can work will be specified on your work permit when issued. Once in Canada, you won’t be able to work for another employer or in another position, unless you apply for another work permit.

Open and closed work permits at a glance

*Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit if you (the work permit holder) are working in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER skill type 0 or 1, or certain eligible jobs in TEER 2 or 3. For more information, read IEC Canada – Spouse or common-law partner open work permit 101.

Examples of open and closed work permits

Closed work permits (not exhaustive)

1. Permits issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
2. IEC Young Professionals permit
3. IEC International Co-op permit
4. Mobilité francophone work permit (for French speakers)

Open work permits (not exhaustive)

1. IEC Working Holiday permit
2. Open work permit for spouses or common-law partners of a work permit holder working in a skilled position OR studying in a Canadian post-secondary school
3. Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) if you graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution
4. Bridging open work permit for permanent residence applicants
5. Open work permit pilot program for permanent residence applicants in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class

Getting an open work permit

An open work permit is way more flexible than a closed work permit because you can change employers. However, there can be some challenges to meeting the specific conditions:

• Considering applying for a Working Holiday work permit? Your country of citizenship must have signed a bilateral agreement with Canada. You’ll also need luck on your side, since applicants who meet all requirements are randomly drawn from a pool where demand often exceeds supply!
• The open work permits for spouses of common-law partners of students or skilled workers are only an option for spouses of foreign students and skilled workers.
• Post-graduation work permits are only awarded to new grads who have completed their education in Canada (so that they can use their new skills in the professional world).
• Bridging open work permits for permanent residence applicants is only an option introduced to retain potential immigrants who may otherwise go home and give up on their immigration project.
• The open work permit pilot program for permanent residence applicants in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class is only a way for couples to keep on living together while the application is processed.

As you can see, you can’t just apply for an open work permit because it’s more convenient or easier for you than a closed work permit—specific conditions must be met.

Read Who can apply for an open work permit? for more info.

Additional fees for open work permits

Note that there’s an additional CA$100 fee for all open work permits.

An IEC Young Professionals or IEC International Co-op permit fee is CA$269.75 but the IEC Working Holiday permit fee is CA$369.75, since the latter includes a CA$100 open work permit fee.