Difference Between Open Work Permit and Closed Work Permit

Work permits are the best way to migrate to Canada, and it is important to the difference between open work permit and closed work permit for Canadian immigration.

Open work permit does not restrict you in any manner but closed work permit can restrict you to a particular employer, we will discuss the Difference Between Open Work Permit and Closed Work Permit more elaborately. 

Difference Between Open Work Permit and Closed Work Permit in Canada

Open work permits and closed work permits are two types of work visas issued by the Canadian government to foreign workers who want to come to Canada for work. Both open work permits and closed work permits have different eligibility criteria and conditions, and individuals need to understand the differences between the two to determine which type of work permit is best for them.

Open Work Permit

An open work permit is a type of work permit that allows foreign workers to work for any employer in Canada, regardless of the type of job they are seeking. Open work permits are typically issued to individuals who are not yet eligible for permanent residency in Canada but have a valid reason for coming to Canada to work, such as a spouse or common-law partner of a foreign worker, a student seeking post-graduation work experience, or a foreign worker who has applied for permanent residency. It is important to know about the difference between open work permit and closed work permit.

Advantages of Open Work Permit

To figure out the difference between open work permit and closed work permit more elaborately, it is important to know about the advantages of having an open work permit.

Flexibility: Open work permits allow foreign workers to work for any employer in Canada, which provides them with greater flexibility in terms of finding work and changing jobs.

No need for LMIA: Open work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is a process that assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market. This means that foreign workers with open work permits do not need to go through the LMIA process, making it easier for them to come to Canada to work.

Path to Permanent Residency: Foreign workers who hold an open work permit may be able to use their work experience in Canada to support their application for permanent residency.

Disadvantages of Open Work Permit

The disadvantages of Open Work permit are also outlined to clearly know the difference between open work permit and closed work permit. An Open Work Permit Holder Apply for PR Canada in so many different ways but it also has some limitations.

Limited duration: Open work permits are typically issued for a limited period, usually one or two years. Foreign workers with open work permits must renew their work permit before it expires to continue working in Canada.

No guaranteed job: While open work permits provide greater flexibility in terms of finding work, they do not guarantee that foreign workers will be able to find a job in Canada. Foreign workers with open work permits must find employment and are responsible for securing their employment.

Closed Work Permit

A closed work permit is a type of work permit that restricts foreign workers to a specific job and specific employer. Closed work permits are typically issued to foreign workers who have received a job offer from a Canadian employer, and who have been assessed by the Canadian government as being eligible to work in Canada. Discussing closed work permit is important to know about the difference between open work permit and closed work permit.

Advantages of Closed Work Permit

Guaranteed job: Closed work permits are issued to foreign workers who have received a job offer from a Canadian employer, which means that they have a guaranteed job in Canada.

Faster processing time: Closed work permits typically have a faster processing time than open work permits, as the Canadian government has already assessed the foreign worker’s eligibility to work in Canada.

Disadvantages of Closed Work Permit

Lack of flexibility: Closed work permits restrict foreign workers to a specific job and specific employer, which means that they do not have the flexibility to change jobs or work for a different employer.

Tied to one employer: Foreign workers with closed work permits are tied to one employer, which means that if their employer goes out of business or if their job ends for any reason, they must leave Canada.

In conclusion, both open work permits and closed work permits have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is important for individuals to understand the difference between open work permit and closed work permit to determine which type of work permit is best for them. Open work permits provide greater flexibility in terms of finding work, but they do not guarantee that foreign workers will be able to find a job in Canada.