open work permit travel outside canada

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Can I travel outside Canada after applying for a work permit extension? 

When a foreign national applies to extend their Canadian work permit , they are free to leave Canada and come back.

However, upon returning to Canada, work permit extension applicants should be aware that one of three things will take place.

In some cases, work permit applicants may need to return to Canada as a visitor instead of a temporary resident. This means applicants may not be able to continue working in Canada if they travel outside the country.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

Note: The first two of the three following situations assume that the applicant has not yet received approval for their work permit extension.

Re-entry as a visitor

Work permit extension applicants may be permitted to re-enter Canada as a visitor, meaning they cannot work upon their return until a decision has been made on their extension.

At this time, permit extension applicants may also be asked to prove to an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officer that they have enough money to support themselves in Canada.

Request to apply for a new work permit

Extension applicants may also be asked to apply for a new work permit at the port of entry upon their return to Canada.

Note that IRCC does not clarify whether these applicants can immediately continue working in Canada if they apply at the port of entry when they return or if they need to wait for the new permit to be processed.

Re-entry as a worker

In some cases, IRCC officers will determine that the applicant was granted their work permit extension while outside of Canada. In this case, the applicant may be allowed to return to Canada as a worker.

Re-entry requirements as a work permit holder

While permitted to leave and re-enter Canada freely, work permit holders must also meet certain re-entry requirements to be allowed back into the country.

For instance, in addition to the permit itself, work permit holders must also have either a Temporary Resident Visa (also known as a visitor visa) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Still, according to IRCC, “Having an eTA or a visa, along with your work permit, doesn’t guarantee that we will let you back into Canada.”

Visitor visas and eTAs

The re-entry requirements for temporary residents in Canada vary depending on an individual’s situation, as requirements for re-entry are different for residents of visa-exempt countries and those who reside in visa-required countries.

Residents of visa-exempt countries

Alongside their work permits, residents of visa-exempt countries require a valid passport and an eTA to re-enter Canada.

According to IRCC, eTAs are only required for those planning to travel to Canada by air. In other words, temporary residents “don’t need an eTA if you’re arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including cruise ship).”

Note: IRCC clarifies that eTAs are “automatically issued” when an applicant’s “initial work permit” is approved. Details can be found in the applicant’s letter of introduction.

Residents of visa-required countries

Residents of visa-required countries will require “a valid visa and a valid work permit to return to Canada” for work.

Note: IRCC clarifies that valid visas are not required for those who “return directly from a visit only to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon.”

In the case that a resident’s visitor visa has expired or was only valid for a single entry to Canada, they must re-apply for a visitor visa. In addition, residents of visa-required countries can use a valid visitor visa “to travel to Canada until it expires.”

A visitor visa will let you travel to Canada by plane, car, bus, train or boat.

eTAs for some citizens of certain visa-required countries

According to IRCC, “eligible citizens of some visa-required countries will receive an eTA when they renew their work permit”. The eTA is valid for five years or until the recipient’s passport expires.

eTAs obtained by residents of visa-required countries can only be used when travelling to or through Canada by air on their way to their final destination.

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How do I apply for an open work permit?

Check to see if there are special instructions for you

Some applicants need to follow special instructions to apply for their open work permit. This applies to

• Ukrainian nationals
• recent graduates from Hong Kong
• spouses or common-law partners being sponsored in Canada
• vulnerable workers in Canada who've been victims of abuse

Apply for an open work permit

If you are applying from outside Canada:

In the “Details of intended work in Canada” section of the IMM 1295 application form:

• choose “Open Work Permit” for question 1
• leave questions 2 to 6 blank

Pay your fees:

• $100 open permit holder fee and
• $155 work permit fee

Find out how to:

• pay your fees
• submit your application

If you are applying from inside Canada:

In the “Details of intended work in Canada” section of the IMM 5710 application form:

• leave questions 2 to 8 blank
• pay your fees .
• sponsored spouse or partner currently living in Canada

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Work permit: How to apply

From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• 1. About the process
• 2. Who can apply
• 3. How to apply
• 4. After you apply
• 5. Prepare for arrival
• 6. When you start working

How to apply

You need to apply online for a work permit. Answer a few questions to find out how to apply.

Where are you applying from?

• Outside Canada

Do any of these situations describe you?

You can apply from inside Canada if one of these applies:

• You have a valid study or work permit.
• Your spouse, common-law partner or parent has a valid study or work permit.
• You’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid.
• You or your spouse, common-law partner or parent has a temporary resident permit that is valid for 6 months or more.
• spouse and common-law partner in Canada class or overseas family class
• temporary resident permit holder class
• You made or will make a claim for refugee protection.
• You’ve been recognized as a Convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
• You’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit , but you need a work permit to work in a different job (this does not apply to business visitors ).
• You’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) .

Select the option that best describes you:

• My work permit has expired, and I have no status in Canada.
• I’m a visitor in Canada.

Do you need a visitor visa to come to Canada?

• I don’t know

Outside Canada: Apply from outside Canada

To get the forms you need, tell us how you’re applying and where you’re applying from.

Priority processing for work permit applicants

We’re prioritizing certain work permit applications.

If your occupation is not on the lists below, we’ll still process your application. However, it may take longer than it normally would.

People who perform or support essential services

We’re prioritizing the applications of people who  perform or support essential services .

When you fill out the work permit application form

To get priority processing, follow these steps:

• offer of employment  or
• labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
• This is box 4 in the  Details of intended work in Canada  section.
• You must enter only the number .

On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the NOC system.

If you apply for a work permit on or after November 16, 2022, make sure you use the NOC 2021 codes .

Eligible occupations that perform or support essential services

Agriculture and agri-food occupations

NOC 2021 codes

• Butchers – retail and wholesale (NOC 63201)
• Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale (NOC 65202)
• Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030)
• Livestock labourers (NOC 85100)
• Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)
• Harvesting labourers (NOC 85101)
• Nursery and greenhouse labourers (NOC 85103)
• Fish and seafood plant workers (NOC 94142)
• Labourers in food and beverage processing (NOC 95106)
• Labourers in fish and seafood processing (NOC 95107)
• Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (NOC 94141)

Health-care occupations

• Nursing coordinators and supervisors (NOC 31300)
• Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301)
• Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
• Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)
• Police investigators and other investigative occupations (NOC 41310)
• General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
• Nurse practitioners (NOC 31302)
• Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (NOC 31303)
• Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103)
• Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (NOC 31209)
• Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
• Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120)
• Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (NOC 33101)
• Medical radiation technologists (NOC 32121)
• Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (NOC 32123)
• Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101)
• Paramedical occupations (NOC 32102)
• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102)

Get the application to work in Canada

Apply online from inside Canada

Step 1: make sure you have what you need.

To apply online, you’ll need:

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and
• a valid credit or debit card

You can submit a paper application if either

• you can’t apply online because of a disability
• In some cases, you may be able to apply online if you follow special instructions.

What to do if you have problems applying online

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application .

We’re prioritizing the applications of people who perform or support essential services .

• offer of employment or
• This is box 4 in the Details of intended work in Canada section.
• Home child care providers (LMIA-required in-Canada applicants) (NOC 44100)
• Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (LMIA-required in-Canada applicants) (NOC 44101)

Step 3: Prepare your answers for the online tool

Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.

Step 4: Know the fees you have to pay

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application

We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.

Fees for open work permits

If you’re applying for an open work permit, make sure you pay all applicable fees:

• work permit fee ($155)
• open work permit holder fee ($100)

Step 5: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:

• pay your fees
• submit your application
• check your status

Inside Canada – Not eligible: You can’t apply for a work permit from within Canada

You’re not eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada. You may be eligible to apply for one from outside Canada.

Get the application to apply from outside Canada

My work permit has expired, and I have no status in Canada: Apply to restore your status as a worker

If your work permit has expired, you need to apply to restore your status as a worker.

How to restore your status as a worker

Port of entry – Visa required

You can’t apply for a work permit at a port of entry. You need to follow the instructions for applying for a work permit from outside Canada.

Apply for a work permit from outside Canada

Port of entry – Visa not required

How to apply at a port of entry

Port of entry – I don’t know if I need a visa

If you’re not sure, you can answer a few questions to find out if you need a visitor visa or an eTA to travel to Canada.

Find out if you need a visa

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

• Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
• Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:

• MasterCard ®
• American Express ®
• UnionPay ®  (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for  at least  18 months after you pay to make refunds easier.  Find more on prepaid cards .

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.The card you use doesn't have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

• be from a Canadian bank using  INTERAC ®  Online , and
• be registered for online banking through your bank’s website.

We also accept all Debit MasterCard ®  and Visa ®  Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC ®  Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Page details

Open Work Permits for Canada

Open work permits allow eligible foreign nationals to work for any employer in canada. .

The biggest advantage of holding an open work permit is the freedom to work in the occupation, or for the employer, of your choice. This comprehensive CanadaVisa page provides you with everything you need to know on open work permits in Canada.

Do you need work permit assistance? Cohen Immigration Law is a leading Canadian immigration law firm with over 45 years of expertise.

Please complete our contact form if you wish to schedule a free telephone consultation with our work permit lawyers.

Get a Free Work Permit Telephone Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

Table of contents, what is an open work permit, who can apply for an open work permit, what are the eligibility requirements for open work permits, how do i apply for an open work permit.

• Contact the Cohen Immigration Law Firm for Assistance  

Most foreign nationals who want to come to Canada to work must have legal authorization via a work permit. Open work permits are one of many  types of work permits that allow foreign workers to legally work in Canada. 

There are two types of work permits in Canada: closed work permits that are tied to a single employer and open work permits that allow foreign nationals to work in Canada for any number of employers and in various locations.

The biggest advantage of open work permits is that they allow for freedom of movement, whether it is between workplaces, employers, occupations or locations in Canada. Open work permits are exempt from some of the requirements associated with obtaining a permit to work in Canada. You do not need to have a job offer or a positive  Labour Market Impact Assessment  to be eligible for an open work permit.

Some open work permits may, however, have additional requirements that must be met by foreign nationals. If applicable, these requirements will be indicated directly on your open work permit. 

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you fall under one of the following categories:

• You are an international student who has graduated from a designated educational institution and is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program ;
• You have applied for permanent residence in Canada under one of Canada’s immigration programs ;
• You are a dependent family member (e.g., spouse or common-law partner) of a person who has applied for permanent residence ;
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker;
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of a master's or doctoral degree student ;
• You are a temporary resident permit holder;
• You are a refugee, asylum seeker, protected person or their family member;
• You are under an unenforceable removal order;
• You are a young worker participating in the  Working Holiday  program;
• You are a student who is unable to meet the costs of studies;
• You have a work permit specific to your employer and are being abused or are at risk of being abused in the course of your employment in Canada.

The eligibility requirements and application procedure differ depending on the specific situation of each individual. The following are examples of common reasons that can make one eligible for an open work permit:

• Permanent residence applicants residing in Canada

You and your spouse or common law partner may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit if you reside in Canada, have an expiring work permit and have submitted an application for permanent residence through a federal or provincial economic class program (Note: the BOWP is not available in Quebec, but alternative work permits exist in Quebec).

• Spouses or common-law partners being sponsored under Inland Sponsorship

Spouses and common-law partners of Canadians or Permanent Residents may be granted an open work permit if they are being sponsored for permanent residence through Inland Sponsorship  and meet eligibility criteria under that sponsorship immigration program.

• Spouses or common law partners of temporary foreign workers

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you are the spouse or common law partner of temporary foreign worker who has employment in Canada in a job corresponding to Skill Level 0, A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for a period of at least six months and who resides or intends to reside in Canada.

• Spouses or common-law partners of international students

To be eligible for an open work permit as a spouse or common-law partner of an international student, you cannot be a full-time student yourself. If an application has been made after March 19th, 2024, the following conditions must be met for your spouse to be eligible for an open work permit:

• a master’s or doctoral degree program in a university or polytechnic institution or
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
• Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Optometry (OD)
• Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
• Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.)
• Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng., BE, BASc)
• a valid letter of acceptance from your designated learning institution (DLI)
• a proof of enrolment letter from your DLI
• transcripts from your current program
• You must be able to provide proof of your relationship to IRCC

If an application for an open work permit has been made before March 19th, then all of the following conditions must be met:

• You (the student) have a valid study permit
• You're eligible for a post graduation work permit (PGWP)
• a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
• a private college-level school in Quebec
• a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law (for example, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree)

For more information on open work permits for spouses, visit our dedicated webpage here . 

• International Graduates and their spouses and common law partners

To be eligible for an open work permit, students who have graduated from a designated program of study in Canada must meet the requirements under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. To be eligible for a PGWP, a foreign national must be at least 18 years of age and have studied full-time in Canada in a program of at least 8 months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). 

You may also be eligible for an open work permit if you are the spouse and common-law partner of a post-graduation work permit holder.  These open work permits generally have a validity date that corresponds to the period during which their spouse is authorized to work in Canada.

• International Experience Canada Participants

Participants in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program may also be able to obtain an open work permit under the Working Holiday category. IEC is open to young adults who are citizens of foreign countries which have reciprocal agreements with Canada. The eligible age range depends on the country, but is usually between 18 and 35 years old.

You can apply for an open work permit from inside Canada or from outside Canada. The application process and the forms you will need to submit will vary depending on where you are applying from. In both cases, the procedure will include the submission of a specified form and payment of the open work permit holder fee as well as the work permit processing fee at the same time.

Contact the Cohen Immigration Law Firm for Assistance

Do you need work permit assistance? The Cohen Immigration Law Firm can help. We offer over 45 years of expertise assisting workers and employers obtain Canadian work permits.

Please complete our short form to submit your question directly to our law firm. One of our lawyers will contact you to schedule a free telephone consultation.

Get a Free Legal Consultation

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• Open Work Permits

The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) lets foreign nationals continue to work in Canada while they await a decision on their permanent residency application .

Bridging Open Work Permit Overview

What is a bridging open work permit?

• Who is eligible for a bridging open work permit?

Bridging open work permit fee

• Can I work anywhere in Canada on a Bridging Open Work permit?

How long is a bridging open work permit valid?

Can i add my spouse and dependents on my bridging open work permit application.

Bridging Open Work Permit Application

• How to apply for a bridging open work permit

When can I apply for a bridging open work permit?

Bridging open work permit document checklist, can i apply for a bridging open work permit from quebec.

• Bridging open work permit processing time  

Bridging Open Work Permit FAQs

Can I leave Canada on a bridging open work permit?

Can i apply for a bridging open work permit from outside of canada, why was my bridging open work permit rejected, can i apply for pr on a bridging open work permit, what happens if my work permit expires while my pr application is processing, can i work while waiting for a bridging open work permit, can i change from a closed permit to a bridging open work permit, can a bridging open work permit be extended, what happens to my bridging open work permit if my pr application is refused.

The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) allows foreign nationals who are currently working in Canada to extend their status while awaiting a decision on their  permanent residency application . The BOWP is only available to those who have submitted a permanent residency application and are already in possession of a valid work permit. A successful BOWP application results in an  open work permit , enabling the holder to work for multiple employers in multiple locations, of their own choosing.

Who is eligible for bridging open work permit?

In order to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) a foreign national must first meet the following conditions:

• Reside in Canada with valid temporary resident status
• hold a valid work permit with valid temporary resident status
• have submitted to renew their work permit and are on maintained status in Canada
• are eligible to restore their temporary resident status with authorization to work on a work permit
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
• Caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class (prior to June 18, 2019)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (given there are no employer restrictions on the nomination)
• Agri-Food Pilot (AFP)
• Quebec Skilled Worker Class (QSWC)
• Have passed the section R10 completeness check for an QSWC application or Express Entry application OR a positive eligibility assessment after applying under an eligible non-Express Entry permanent residence stream

The fee for an open work permit is $255 CAD – $155 for the processing fee, and $100 CAD for the open work permit holder fee.

Can I work anywhere in Canada on a bridging open work permit?

Open work permits typically allow foreign workers to work for any employer in Canada.  However, there are some exceptions in terms of the employment location for certain applicants:

PNP applicants

The employment location on a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) BOWP is restricted to the nomination province.

Quebec applicants

For individuals applying under the QSWC, the employment location indicated on the BOWP is restricted to the province of Quebec.

Bridging open work permits are usually issued for 24 months. If permanent residence application processing goes beyond the validity of a BOWP, extensions may be issued for 12 months.

A bridging open work permit will not be issued beyond the validity of an applicant’s passport.

If a BOWP holder is currently working in Canada in a skilled occupation, their spouse may apply for an open work permit. Dependent children may also accompany the BOWP holder by applying for a visitor record.

How to apply bridging open work permit

For most cases, BOWP applicants must apply online through their IRCC secure account . Applicants that are having issues applying online can apply on paper.

Express Entry applicants applying for a BOWP may do so once they Acknowledgement of Receipt letter through their IRCC MyPortal account.

Quebec Skilled Worker Class applicants must wait until they have passed the completeness check stage of their application.

The documents required for a Canadian work permit will depend on the type of work permit you are applying for. Applicants may need to provide the following documents as part of their work permit application:

• Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter
• Provincial nomination certificate (if applicable)
• Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) (Quebec Acceptance Certificate) (if applicable)
• Signed employment contract (if live-in caregiver)
• Completed application forms
• Proof of status in Canada
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Valid copy of your passport
• Medical exam results (if requested)
• Proof of payment for applicable government fees

As of August 2021, temporary foreign workers that hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (Quebec Acceptance Certificate) and live in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit.

To be eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit while residing in Quebec, temporary foreign workers must meet both of the following conditions:

• Have applied for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as the primary applicant as a skilled worker in Quebec;
• Have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC confirming completeness of your permanent residence application

Bridging open work permit processing time

Bridging open work permits are typically processed within 3-4 months.

A bridging open work permit allows foreign nationals to work in Canada but cannot alone be used as a travel document. Foreign nationals must also have a valid eTA or temporary resident visa to return to Canada on a BOWP.

Foreign nationals must be residing in Canada to apply for a BOWP.

One common reason that a BOWP is refused is if applicants submit an incomplete permanent residence application. As applications for permanent residence must be passed the completeness check as part of the eligibility requirement, incomplete applications may result in a BOWP refusal.

One of the main eligibility requirements of a BOWP is that an applicant has already applied for permanent residence (PR). As such, there would be no reason to apply for PR again.

If your work permit expires while your PR application is processing, you will be considered out of status and will need to apply to restore your status as a worker in Canada.

A foreign national is required to submit a BOWP application before their current work permit expires. If their current work permit expires before they have received a decision regarding their BOWP application, they may continue to work in Canada under  maintained status  until a final decision has been issued regarding the BOWP application. However, if the BOWP application is denied, the foreign national must cease working in Canada immediately. If a foreign national works in Canada without a valid work permit, they will jeopardize all future applications for Canadian immigration.

It is possible to change your work permit from a closed permit to a bridging open work permit as long as you are eligible .

If a permanent residence application is not finalized by the time a BOWP expires, IRCC may issue extensions of 12 months.

If your application for permanent residence is refused while you are on a valid Bridging Open Work Permit, you may continue to work on that permit as long as it not revoked.

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