Frequently Asked Questions
You may be eligible for an open work permit if:
-You are an international student who graduated from a DLI and are eligible for the PGWP
-You are a student who can no longer meet the costs of your studies (indigent student - conditions apply)
-You have an employer specific work permit and are being abused or are at risk of being abused in connection with your work in Canada (conditions apply)
-You applied for permanent residence in Canada and are in the process.
-Is an immediate dependent relative of someone who applied for permanent residence
-Is the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student the spouse or common-law partner of an Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program applicant.
-Is a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or family member.
-Are under an unenforceable removal order
-Are a holder of a temporary residence permit
-Are a youth worker participating in special international mobility programs (famously known as a working holiday)
In each of these situations, you must meet additional criteria to be eligible.
Other questions you may be interested in
Check the validity of your letter of introduction letter to the port of entry, this letter should have been issued by IRCC upon approval of your application. There is a box titled "Letter of Introduction Validity" on your port of entry (POE) letter. You must enter Canada before this date. If the validity date has passed and you do not travel to Canada, you must submit a new application. You cannot extend the validity date on your Letter.
If Immigration Canada discovers that you have not complied with the conditions of your study permit, you may be asked to leave Canada and/or this element may create a negative immigration history that could have repercussions to your future processes. Please review your permit conditions and restrictions very carefully to avoid misunderstandings and contraventions.
If you are independent or freelance, the following are examples and alternatives that you can present:
- Company registration or alternatively,
- Registration as independent or alternatively,
- Service contracts with customers or alternatively,
- Letters from customers 2 or 3 attesting that you have rendered services to them.
Any of the above documents will allow us to attest to your self-employed occupations. In a complementary, but not main way, you can optionally add any of the following, to strengthen the genuineness of your business:
- Self-employed business cards -this document alone does not carry much weight for the officer, ideally it should be accompanied by one of the documents mentioned above.
Web presence: website, facebook -this document alone does not carry much weight for the officer, ideally it should be accompanied by one of those mentioned above-.
Yes, you only have to request it at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance so that it can be delivered to your residence at no additional cost.
A Mandamus is a legal remedy that compels a public authority to make a decision when there has been an unreasonable delay in processing an immigration application.










