Travel Plans: Open Work Permit Holders Leaving Canada

If you are planning to travel outside of Canada, you will need a valid passport and either an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visa, in addition to your work permit. An eTA is only necessary if you plan to travel to Canada by air. If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need a valid passport and an eTA (if arriving by air). If you are from a visa-required country, you will need a valid visa and work permit to return to Canada for work. It is important to note that having an eTA or a visa does not guarantee re-entry into Canada, as you must still meet all requirements upon your return.

Travel outside Canada with a non-expired work permit

If you are planning to travel outside Canada with a non-expired work permit, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, a work permit is not a travel document and does not give you the right to re-enter Canada. Therefore, along with your work permit, you need to carry a valid passport and either an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visa, depending on your country of origin.

If you are from a visa-exempt country, you will need a valid passport and an eTA if you plan to travel to Canada by air. It is important to note that an eTA is automatically issued when your initial work permit is approved, and you can find more details in your letter of introduction. Additionally, if your renewed work permit was issued on or after May 1, 2017, an eTA would have been automatically issued as well. However, if your renewed work permit was issued before that date and you don't have an eTA, you will need to obtain one before returning to Canada by air.

For those who are lawful permanent residents of the United States, specific documents are required for all methods of travel to Canada. This includes a valid passport from your country of nationality or an equivalent acceptable travel document, along with a valid green card or equivalent proof of status in the United States.

If you are from a visa-required country, you will need a valid visa and work permit to return to Canada for work. However, if you are returning directly from a visit to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, a valid visa is not necessary. It is important to note that certain eligible citizens of visa-required countries will receive an eTA when they renew their work permit, allowing them to fly to or transit through Canada by air.

When returning to Canada, it is important to remember that having an eTA or a visa, along with your work permit, does not guarantee re-entry. You must demonstrate to the border services officer that you meet all the necessary requirements before being allowed back into the country.

Re-entering Canada with a valid work permit

If you have a valid work permit and want to travel outside Canada, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, a work permit is not a travel document; it does not give you the automatic right to re-enter Canada. To re-enter, you must meet the entry requirements and prove to a border services officer that you fulfil these.

If you are from a visa-exempt country, you will need a valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you are travelling by air. If you are arriving by car, bus, train or boat, you do not need an eTA, just a valid passport or travel document. If you are a NEXUS or FAST member, you can use your membership card when travelling by these methods.

If you are from a visa-required country, you will need a valid visa and work permit to re-enter Canada. You do not need a valid visa if you are returning directly from a visit to the United States or St Pierre and Miquelon.

Regardless of where you are from, you must also prove that you meet the general entry requirements for Canada. This includes having a valid travel document, such as a passport, no criminal record, and convincing an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit and that you have enough money for your stay. You must also be in good health and may need to provide valid immigration medical exam results.

Travel documents required to re-enter Canada

A work permit is not a travel document and does not give you the right to re-enter Canada. To re-enter Canada, you need a valid passport and either an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visa, along with your work permit. However, having an eTA or a visa, along with your work permit, does not guarantee that you can re-enter Canada. You must show the border services officer that you meet all the requirements before you can re-enter.

If you are arriving by air, you need a valid passport and an eTA or a visa. If you are arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, you do not need an eTA.

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you must show the following documents for all methods of travel to Canada:

• A valid passport from your country of nationality or an equivalent acceptable travel document.
• A valid green card or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States.

If you are from a visa-required country, you need a valid visa and a valid work permit to return to Canada to work. You do not need a valid visa if you return directly from a visit to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon.

If you are a Canadian citizen, including dual citizens, you need a valid Canadian passport. American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or US passport. Canadian permanent residents need a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document.

US citizens must carry proper identification such as a valid US passport.

If you are a permanent resident of Canada with a NEXUS/FAST membership, you must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence, and you may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.

If you are registered under the Indian Act, you can enter and remain in Canada by right. The Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), or the Status card, is an identity document that confirms that the cardholder is registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act. Although both the Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) and SCIS cards can be presented at the border to confirm status and the right of entry, travellers are advised to obtain a new SCIS as the CIS was replaced by the SCIS in 2019.

Open work permit restrictions

An open work permit allows foreign nationals to work for any Canadian employer over a specified period of time. However, there are certain restrictions that you should be aware of.

Firstly, open work permits do not grant travel rights. If you want to travel outside Canada and then re-enter, you will need a valid passport and either an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visa, depending on your country of origin.

Secondly, there may be restrictions on the type of job and location of work listed on your open work permit. For example, if you have an open work permit under the provincial nominee class, you may only be permitted to work in a specific province. Additionally, certain jobs may require you to undergo a medical exam.

Furthermore, an open work permit does not allow you to work for an employer that is listed as ineligible due to non-compliance with conditions, or that regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages.

It is important to carefully review the eligibility requirements and restrictions associated with open work permits before applying.

Applying for an open work permit

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer, except those listed as ineligible or those that offer specific adult entertainment services. This type of permit is not job-specific, so your employer does not need a labour market impact assessment or proof of an offer of employment.

To apply for an open work permit, you must meet the general eligibility requirements for all work permits, as well as specific criteria for the open work permit.

General Eligibility Requirements:

• Prove that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires.
• Show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members during your stay and to return home.
• Have no record of criminal activity and pose no danger to Canada's security.
• Be in good health and undergo a medical exam if needed.
• Not plan to work for ineligible employers or those offering specific adult entertainment services.
• Provide any additional documents requested by the officer.

Specific Eligibility Criteria for an Open Work Permit:

• You are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
• You are a student who can no longer afford the costs of your studies (a destitute student).
• You have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or are at risk of abuse related to your job in Canada.
• You are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence.
• You are the spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child of a low- or high-skilled worker, or an international student.
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program.
• You are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person, or a family member of one.
• You are under an unenforceable removal order.
• You are a temporary resident permit holder.
• You are in Canada and being sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or accompanying dependent child.
• You are a Quebec investor who received a Quebec Notice of Intent to Select.

Application Process:

If you are applying from outside Canada, use the IMM 1295 application form. Choose "Open Work Permit" for question 1 and leave questions 2 to 6 blank. Submit the form with the required fees: a $100 open permit holder fee and a $155 work permit fee.

If you are applying from inside Canada, use the IMM 5710 application form. Again, choose "Open Work Permit" for question 1 and leave questions 2 to 8 blank. The fees are the same as for outside applicants. Submit your application as a sponsored spouse or partner currently living in Canada.

Note that some applicants may need to follow special instructions, including recent graduates from Hong Kong, spouses or common-law partners being sponsored in Canada, and vulnerable workers in Canada who have been victims of abuse.

Frequently asked questions