Can we really covert closed work permit to open work permit ?
yes, closed work permit can be converted to open work permit. There are certain option or condition that can make you eligible to openwork permit if you meet certain criteria.
First lets talk about key difference between Closed work permit and Open work permit.
| Closed Work permit | Open Work permit |
| Allowed to work with specific employer mention in the permit | Allow to work with any employer all around Canada |
| Need Job and LMIA to obtain | No need job and LMIA |
| Validity depend upon employment duration | Fixed permit |
| Fee to apply CAD 100 | Fee to apply CAD 155 |
There are two option to convert closed work permit to open work permit.
Remember its not a pathway
Option 1 :
Applying Permanent Residency
Inland Sponsorship
Married/ Common Law relationship with PR/OWP/Citizen
For any of these situation you will be automatically eligible for open work permit once you start processing application. Generally work permit obtain these way are valid till your application finalized.
Option 2: Vulnerable open work permit
Vulnerable work permit is open work permit option of those individual are felt abuse or at risk of being abuse by employer.
This is an option work permit to protect the right of worker in Canada. This work permit allowed to work with any employer in Canada. This work permit is temporary solution has expiry date and its can only be obtain once and cannot be renewed. You must apply another work permit or process to permanent residency application before this one expires if you want to continue stay and work in Canada.
Anybody subjected to abuse by employer, abuse can be
- Physical Harm, Comment, threat, Insults,
- Holding out the passport
- Stopping you from communication with others.
- Taking all your money paid to you
- Treating like slaves
If you have evidence to prove above condition, then you are eligible for Vulnerable open work permit. You must satisfy the officer with enough proof and letter of explanation how you are abuse by employer.
You cannot can use this option freely, this is particular for people where in situation of abuse, if you misrepresent your application in greed obtain this work permit can lead you to banned permanently to enter Canada.
For more detail of this work permit can be found on check IRCC Websites.
