Are you a foreign worker needing to work in Canada? Are you an employer willing to employ international talent? Either way, distinguishing between a work permit and an open work permit is of utmost significance. In the following blog, there will be a breakdown of the main differences between these two types of work permits in Canada.
Work Permit
A work permit is a document issued by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) which is required for a foreign worker to work for a specific employer, in a specific location, and for a specific period of time. To qualify for a work permit, you’ll need:
Job Offer From a Canadian Employer:
This employer must show that a Canadian citizen or permanent resident could not fill the position.
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA):
This means that the employer must obtain an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which is used to assess the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labor market.
Qualification and Experience Certificate:
Proof of qualifications and experience must be submitted that includes other aspects like language proficiency.
Open Work Permit
Open Work Permits, in simple words, allow people to work in and for any employer in Canada in any location for any specific time period. An open work permit might be available to you if you have:
A spouse or common-law partner who is a foreign worker or student:
If your spouse or common-law partner is working or studying in Canada, you might be eligible for an open work permit.
A refugee or protected person:
If you are a refugee or protected person, you might be able to apply for an open work permit.
An holder of a temporary resident permit:
If you are the holder of a temporary resident permit, you might qualify for an open work permit.
Key Differences
Some of the differences between a work permit and an open work permit are as follows:
Employer limitation:
Work permits are tied to one specific employer, while open work permits can be with any employer.
Location limitations:
Work permits can restrict one on location; open work permits can permit you to work anywhere in Canada.
Job offer/labour market impact assessment:
A work permit needs a job offer and LMIA; an open work permit does not.
Which One is Right for You?
So which option would suit you best?If you want to work in Canada as a foreign worker, you will have to determine what kind of work permit is for you. Assuming you have a job offer from a Canadian employer and meet all of the eligibility requirements, it is a work permit you are probably after. If you want to go for more freedom to work with any employer in Canada, an open work permit would be better for you.
Conclusion
SummarySo whereas in summary, the important thing for foreign workers seeking work in Canada to know, in holding the work permit and open work permit, is what they are distinctively different from. Information on eligibility, job type, and restrictions for each type of work permit will help you arrive at a more knowledgeable decision in determining what type of work permit you have to settle for.