Canada is a land of opportunities, attracting a significant number of immigrants every year for work and settlement. Open work permits are one of the ways to obtain legal authorization to work in Canada for people who don’t have a job offer or an employer sponsorship. This article will discuss the process of obtaining an open work permit for Canada.
What is an Open Work Permit?
An open work permit allows an individual to work in Canada for any employer, in any industry, without the need for a job offer or a specific employer sponsorship. It is an excellent option for individuals who want to explore the job market and work in Canada for a limited time. There are three types of open work permits: unrestricted, employer-specific, and bridging open work permits.
Gaining Work Permits in Canada through the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Program.
Unrestricted Open Work Permit:
An unrestricted open work permit allows the permit holder to work for any employer in Canada, without any specific job offer.
Employer-specific Open Work Permit: This permit is granted to individuals who have a job offer from a particular employer in Canada. The permit is valid for the duration of the job offer.
Bridging Open Work Permit: A bridging open work permit is issued to individuals who have submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada, and their current work permit is about to expire.
Is It Difficult for Immigrants to Land Jobs in Canada?
Process to obtain an Open Work Permit for Canada
Step 1: Check Eligibility
To be eligible for an open work permit, an individual must meet specific criteria, which include:
- Being a spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Being a dependent child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Having a valid temporary resident status in Canada, such as a visitor, student, or worker.
- Having applied for permanent residence from within Canada.
- Having been granted refugee status, or are under a pre-removal risk assessment.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
To apply for an open work permit, an individual must gather the following documents:
- A completed application form.
- Proof of eligibility, such as a copy of the marriage certificate, common-law partnership certificate, or birth certificate.
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Proof of legal status in Canada, such as a visitor record, study permit, or work permit.
- A copy of the receipt of payment for the application fee.
Step 3: Submit the Application
An open work permit application can be submitted online or in-person at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). To submit the application online, the individual must create an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and fill out the required application form. Once the application is completed, the individual must pay the application fee and submit the required documents online.
To submit the application in-person, the individual must visit the nearest VAC and provide the completed application form, along with the required documents and payment for the application fee.
Step 4: Wait for Processing
Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by an IRCC officer. The processing time for an open work permit application varies, depending on the individual’s circumstances, such as their country of origin, the complexity of their case, and the volume of applications received.
Step 5: Receive the Permit
If the application is approved, the individual will receive their open work permit. The permit will specify the conditions of the work permit, such as the duration, employer restrictions, and any other specific requirements.
Summarising…
Obtaining an open work permit for Canada is an excellent option for individuals who want to work in Canada without the need for a specific job offer or employer sponsorship. The process of obtaining an open work permit involves checking eligibility, gathering required documents, submitting the application, waiting for processing, and receiving the permit. By following the above steps, individuals can successfully obtain an open work permit for getting a Job in Canada and thereby paving way to obtain citizenship for Canada