Canada Work Permit Guide: Open vs. Closed – Make the Right Move

immigration-conultant
Apr 16
2 min read

Discover the key differences between Open and Closed Work Permits and choose the best path for your future. — Discover the key differences between **Open** and **Closed Work Permits** and choose the best path for your future.

Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for international workers, offering incredible job opportunities, a high quality of life, and a clear pathway to permanent residency. But before packing your bags, it's important to understand the type of work permit you’ll need — Open or Closed. At Go Global Immigration Services, we’re here to help you make an informed decision. This guide will walk you through the differences between a Canada Open Work Permit Vs—closed Work Permit so that you can choose the best path for your Canadian journey.

What is a Canada Work Permit?

A work permit is a legal authorization that allows a foreign national to work in Canada for a specific period. Depending on your situation, Canada offers two primary types of work permits:

Open Work Permit
Closed (Employer-Specific) Work Permit

Each comes with its own benefits, limitations, and eligibility requirements.

What is an Open Work Permit?

An Open Work Permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, in almost any industry, without needing a confirmed job offer at the time of application. It offers the most flexibility, especially for spouses of skilled workers or international students.

Who Can Apply for an Open Work Permit?

Spouses/common-law partners of skilled workers or international students
International graduates eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Refugees, asylum seekers, and their family members
Participants in specific international agreements (e.g., IEC - Working Holiday)

Benefits:

No job offer required to apply
Freedom to switch employers
Greater career flexibility in Canada

What is a Closed Work Permit?

A Closed Work Permit (also known as an Employer-Specific Work Permit) is tied to a specific employer, job location, and occupation. You must have a valid job offer before applying for this permit.

Who Can Apply for a Closed Work Permit?

Individuals with a positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
Intra-company transferees
Foreign workers hired through specific employer programs

Limitations:

You can only work for the employer listed on the permit
Changing jobs requires a new application
Often based on a valid LMIA (which can be a lengthy process)

Open vs. Closed Work Permits: Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Open Work Permit	Closed Work Permit
Requires Job Offer	❌ No	✅ Yes
Employer Flexibility	✅ Any Employer	❌ Specific Employer Only
LMIA Required	❌ No	✅ Usually Yes
Application Flexibility	✅ High	❌ Limited
Ideal For	Spouses, Graduates, Special Programs	Job Offer Holders

Need Help Choosing the Right Work Permit?

That’s where we come in! At Go Global Immigration Services, we specialize in helping individuals and families successfully apply for Canadian work permits, whether it’s Open or Closed.

Our expert consultants can help you: