How to apply

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You must apply for this open work permit online. You can’t apply at a port of entry.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need

To apply online, you’ll need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents.

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Support your application with evidence

To support your application, you must include a letter to describe

• your situation
• the abuse you’re facing or at risk of facing

We encourage you to use the following form to provide your information:

• Letter of Explanation – Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers [IMM 0017] (opens in a new tab) 

Types of evidence

In your application, you should also include as much evidence as you can of the abuse you’ve been the victim of.
Evidence could include

• a letter, statement or report from an abuse support organization, medical doctor, health care professional, etc.
• a sworn statement, also known as an affidavit, from yourself
• a copy of an official report you submitted to an enforcement agency, such as a police or Canada Border Services Agency report
• a copy of an official complaint submitted to a provincial government enforcement agency, such as an employment standards branch
• a victim impact statement
• email or text messages
• pay stubs or bank statements
• photos showing injuries or working conditions
• witness testimony

The list above includes some examples of the evidence you could provide. You may have other types of evidence.

Where to upload evidence of abuse

You can upload your letter of explanation and other documents as evidence in the Client Information field under Optional Documents.

There’s only 1 Client Information field to upload all of your evidence. You have to combine all your evidence in 1 file and upload it together. Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.

Step 4: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:

• submit your application
• upload documents
• check your application status

Create an account or sign in

Step 5: Get to the application

After you sign in to your account, follow these steps to get your document checklist and application:

1. Under “Start an application”, choose “Apply to come to Canada”.
2. Choose “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit”.
3. Answer the questions in the online tool. Be sure to answer the questions below exactly as shown.
   • For question 1, “What would you like to do in Canada?“, choose “Work”.
   • When asked “What is your current country/territory of residence?”, choose “Canada”.
   • When asked “Do you have a written job offer?”, choose “No”.
   • When asked “Does this situation apply to you? You have a valid employer-specific work permit and are being abused or there is a risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada?”, choose “Yes”.
4. When you get to the page that says “Your results”, choose “Open work permit for vulnerable workers”.

Fingerprints and photo (biometrics)

Most people applying for a work permit from Canada must give their fingerprints and photo (biometrics). Because of your vulnerable situation, we won’t ask you to give your biometrics when you apply. If an officer decides you need to give your biometrics, they’ll ask you to give them after you apply.

When you apply online, you’ll be asked if you’ve given your biometrics for an application in the past.

• If you’ve given them in the past, choose “Yes”.
• If you haven’t given them in the past, choose “No”.
  • When asked about the fee, choose the option that says you’re exempt from paying the fee.
    • By choosing this option, you won’t be asked to pay the fee later in the application process.

When you’ve answered all the questions, you’ll get your document checklist. It includes the form “Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM5710)”. This is the work permit form you need to fill out.

If you can’t apply online

You can submit a paper application if either:

• you can’t apply online because of a disability
• there’s a problem with the online application
  • In some cases, you may be able to apply online if you follow special instructions.

What to do if you have problems applying online