Open Work Permit vs. Employer Specific Work Permit

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One way to categorize Canada’s work permit system is by whether the work permit is an open work permit or an employer specific work permit. Of course, there are many types of work permits but in this article we will look at the difference between open and employer specific work permits.

Employer specific work permits are locked to specific employers who sponsor you. If you change jobs, you will need to have your new employer sponsor you for a new work permit as the old work permit is no longer valid.

Open work permits are only issued in Canada as part of specific programs to address public policies that the Government of Canada wants to achieve.

Some Examples of Open Work Permits:

• The spouses of certain work permit or study permit holders may be eligible for an open work permit to facilitate family reunification.
• A post graduate work permit (an open work permit) is issued for graduates of post-secondary education to allow them to gain work experience in Canada and have a path to permanent residence so Canada can retain skilled workers.
• The Working Holiday program allows young people from participating countries to come to Canada to work. This program is open to countries who have a reciprocal program allowing Canadians to work in the partner country therefore it is seen as mutually beneficial.
• There are other exceptional situations where an open work permit might be granted for reasons of hardship and humanitarian reasons.

Essentially, the Government wants to protect the labour market of Canada therefore foreign workers are generally issued an employer specific work permit. An open work permit is an exception to further public policy objectives.