How to apply for an open work permit

Status: Open for applications, starting January 1, 2024

You must apply online for this open work permit. You can’t apply at a Canadian port of entry and you can’t apply on paper unless you’re eligible.

Step 1: Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

Answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown:

Question Answer
What would you like to do in Canada? Work
How long are you planning to stay in Canada? Temporarily – more than 6 months
I have a job offer and my employer gave me an offer of employment number or LMIA number (or proof that your employer applied for an LMIA) No
Will you be coming to Canada under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC? Yes
What is your province of destination? If visiting multiple provinces, select the one in which you will be spending most of your time. Quebec

Answer the remaining questions according to your personal situation.

Your results should say Open work permit (Outside Canada).

Click continue and answer the question exactly as shown.

Question Answer
What type of work permit do you want to apply for? A work permit under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC.

Answer all the remaining questions according to your personal situation. If you need help, click on the question mark icon for more information.

Once you finish, you can review your answers and change them if needed.

When you’re ready, click Continue to get your personal document checklist. This page gives you step-by-step instructions on how to submit your application online. It will also list the

Step 2: Complete your application online

Read the instruction guide before you complete your application.

How to fill out the IMM 1295 form

Under Details of intended work in Canada, fill in the information as follows: 

Step 3: Upload the correct documents

To complete your application, you must upload your

There’s only 1 Client Information field. You may need to combine more than 1 document into 1 file and upload them together. 

Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.

Find out what to do and what happens after you apply for your work permit.

Prepare to arrive in Canada

There are also a few things you should know before you arrive in Canada to work.

Find out what you need to know before arriving in Canada.

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