Work Permit Application

Open Work Permit (OWP)

An Open Work Permit (OWP) allows foreign nationals to work for any employer in Canada without needing a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This provides flexibility and freedom to explore various employment opportunities while residing in Canada.

Eligible individuals for an Open Work Permit include:

Spouses or common-law partners of international students
Spouses or common-law partners of temporary foreign workers
Spouses or common-law partners being sponsored under the Inland Spousal/Common-law Sponsorship stream
Recent international graduates applying through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
Candidates in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program under the Working Holiday category

Open Work Permits support the integration of newcomers into the Canadian workforce and provide a valuable path to gaining Canadian experience.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is designed to allow individuals in Canada to continue working while their permanent residence (PR) application is being processed.

This option is available to in-Canada applicants who have applied for PR through:

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

To be eligible, the applicant must hold a valid work permit that is set to expire within four months and must have received confirmation that their PR application is in progress (i.e., they have an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC).

A BOWP helps ensure that applicants remain in legal status and continue working uninterrupted while waiting for a final decision on their PR application.

International Experience Canada (IEC)

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program offers young adults from partner countries the opportunity to gain international work experience in Canada.

Eligibility:

Must be a citizen of a country that has a youth mobility agreement with Canada
Typically between 18 and 35 years old, depending on the country of citizenship

The IEC program is divided into three categories:

Working Holiday – Open work permit for flexible work and travel across Canada
Young Professionals – Employer-specific work permit for career development
International Co-op (Internship) – Employer-specific work permit for students completing internships related to their field of study

This program allows participants to explore Canadian culture while gaining valuable work experience.

Work While Studying in Canada

International students enrolled in eligible full-time programs at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada may work on-campus or off-campus, under specific conditions.

On-Campus Work:

Students can work without a work permit at:

Universities
Community Colleges
CEGEPs
Publicly funded trade or technical schools
Private institutions authorized by provincial legislation to confer degrees

Students may work at more than one campus, as long as it’s within the same municipality.

Off-Campus Work:

Students with valid study permits may work off-campus up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks. Students involved in research, graduate, or teaching assistant roles may work off-campus at affiliated institutions such as hospitals, clinics, or research centers directly tied to their academic programs.

Working while studying not only eases financial burdens but also enhances career readiness through Canadian work experience.

All services at Odogwu are provided by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). While we are not lawyers, RCICs are fully authorized and trained to assist with all aspects of Canadian immigration, except matters involving federal court.