As a refugee claimant in Canada, you have the legal right to work while your claim is being processed, and many employers are ready to hire. The path to your first paycheque can feel complicated, but once you understand your open work permit, your 900-series SIN, and the sectors most likely to offer you a start, you can move quickly and confidently.
Quick Takeaways
- Refugee claimants can apply for an open work permit after filing their asylum claim
- Your work permit allows you to work for almost any employer in Canada
- IRCC issues a 900-series Social Insurance Number (SIN) to refugee claimants, which is legal and valid for employment
- Food service, warehouse, cleaning, and security are the four sectors that most consistently hire refugee claimants on open work permits
- Settlement agencies across Canada offer free job search support, resume help, and employer connections
Understanding Your Right to Work as a Refugee Claimant
The Open Work Permit for Asylum Claimants
When you file a refugee claim in Canada, you become eligible to apply for an open work permit. This permit, sometimes called the Open Work Permit for Asylum Claimants (OWPAC), lets you work for almost any employer in the country. You do not need a specific job offer to apply. The work permit is separate from your refugee determination, and you can continue working while your case is still waiting at the Refugee Protection Division (RPD).
To apply, you submit an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You will need a copy of your Basis of Claim (BOC) form or your Notice to Appear at a hearing, proof of your claim, and the application fee (or a fee waiver request if you cannot afford it). Processing times vary, but IRCC has introduced expedited pathways for claimants in some provinces. Once approved, your work permit will carry an expiry date. Make sure to renew it before that date so there is no gap in your eligibility.
Your 900-Series SIN Explained
Once your work permit is approved, you apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) at a Service Canada office. Because your status in Canada is temporary and pending, Service Canada will issue you a SIN that starts with the digit 9. This is known as a 900-series SIN, and it is perfectly legal. It works exactly like any other SIN for employment purposes. Your employer enters it into their payroll system, taxes are deducted normally, and you receive a T4 slip at tax time.
A common concern among refugee claimants is that employers will refuse to hire because of the 9-series SIN. In practice, most mid-size and large employers in food service, warehousing, cleaning, and security are familiar with this type of SIN and process it routinely. If an employer is unfamiliar, you can explain that a 900-series SIN is issued to temporary residents with valid work authorization, and that it does not signal any problem with your permit.
What to Tell Your Employer About Your SIN
When you start a new job, your employer is required by law to verify that you have authorization to work in Canada. You will show them your open work permit and your SIN card or SIN confirmation letter. Your employer will note the expiry date on your work permit and may ask you to provide an updated copy when you renew. This is standard onboarding practice and is not a cause for concern.
If your employer asks why your SIN starts with a 9, you can say: "My SIN starts with a 9 because it was issued while I have temporary status in Canada. My open work permit confirms I am authorized to work for any employer."
Sectors That Hire Refugee Claimants Across Canada
Certain sectors are known for high and consistent demand, lower credential barriers, and broad familiarity with hiring people on open work permits. The four most reliable entry points are food service, warehousing and logistics, cleaning and janitorial services, and security.
Food Service and Restaurant Work
The food service industry, including restaurants, fast food outlets, cafeterias, catering companies, and food processing plants, is one of the most accessible entry points into the Canadian job market. Many roles do not require prior Canadian experience or formal credentials. Common entry-level positions include dishwasher, line cook, prep cook, food counter attendant, and kitchen helper.
Shifts in food service are often flexible, which can be useful if you have settlement appointments or language classes during the day. Food processing plants in particular hire large numbers of newcomers and offer steady full-time hours. When you apply, include any cooking or kitchen experience from your home country, because it is relevant and valued by employers in this sector.
Warehouse and Logistics
Distribution centres, fulfillment warehouses, and logistics companies across Canada, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver, hire large volumes of workers on a continuous basis. Common roles include warehouse associate, picker and packer, forklift operator (if you hold a valid certification), and shipping and receiving clerk.
Many warehousing jobs are offered through staffing agencies such as Randstad, Adecco, or local temp agencies that specialize in industrial placements. Working through an agency can be a fast way to get started, and some agencies will place you within days of registering. Physical demands are real in warehousing, so review the lifting requirements before your apply and be honest about your capacity during the intake process.
Cleaning and Janitorial Services
Commercial cleaning companies maintain offices, hospitals, schools, transit facilities, and public buildings across Canada. These companies hire frequently, often offer flexible shift schedules including evenings and weekends, and are generally comfortable processing 900-series SINs. Positions include building cleaner, housekeeping aide, floor care technician, and custodian.
If you are interested in cleaning work, reach out directly to companies like GDI Services, Dexterra, or ABM Industries, as well as smaller local operators in your city. Settlement agencies often have direct employer contacts in this sector and can make a warm introduction on your behalf, which significantly improves your chances of getting called for an interview.
Security Guard Work
Security is a sector where refugee claimants can access employment with one modest additional step: obtaining a Security Guard License from your provincial authority. In Ontario, this is administered by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. The license requires completing an approved training course, which typically takes a few days and costs a modest fee. Some employers will reimburse the cost after your first few weeks of work.
Once licensed, security roles are available across retail, commercial, industrial, and residential settings. Many security companies operate around the clock and offer both part-time and full-time shifts. This sector is worth considering if you are comfortable working evenings or weekends and want a position that does not involve heavy physical labour.
How to Apply for Your Work Permit
Gathering Your Documents
Before you apply for your work permit, collect the following: a copy of your signed Basis of Claim form or your Notice to Appear at an RPD hearing, any identity documents you have such as a passport or national ID card, and your completed IRCC work permit application using form IMM 5710. If the application fee is a barrier, ask your settlement agency or a refugee legal clinic about requesting a fee waiver. Having all documents ready before you start the online application will reduce delays and errors.
Submitting Your Application
You can apply online through your IRCC secure account or, in certain circumstances, in person at an IRCC office. Some provinces have pilot programs that allow eligible refugee claimants to receive a work permit on an accelerated timeline. Check IRCC's current processing time estimates and look into whether any provincial programs apply to your situation. A settlement agency or refugee legal clinic can review your application before submission and help you avoid common mistakes that cause delays.
Finding Jobs as a Refugee Claimant
Using RefugeeEmployment.ca
RefugeeEmployment.ca is built specifically for refugees and asylum seekers in Canada. The platform lists job openings from employers across the country who are open to hiring newcomers, including those on open work permits. Visit the RefugeeEmployment.ca job seekers page to create a candidate profile and browse current openings in your area.
Settlement Agencies and Employment Programs
Government-funded settlement agencies offer free employment support across Canada, including resume writing, job search coaching, interview preparation, and direct employer referrals. Organizations like COSTI, ACCES Employment, and the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services, along with similar agencies in every major Canadian city, are good starting points. Many run employment programs specifically designed for newcomers and refugee claimants.
Employment Ontario programs and Quebec's integration programs also offer subsidized training and job placement support that refugee claimants may be eligible for depending on their work permit status. Ask your settlement agency which programs are currently available to you and what documentation you need to enroll.
Community and Peer Networks
Word of mouth remains one of the most reliable paths to a first job in Canada. Many refugee claimants find initial employment through community networks: places of worship, newcomer community centres, cultural associations, and peer referrals from people who arrived before them. Letting people in your community know that you are actively looking for work and hold a valid open work permit is a practical and effective strategy.
Preparing Your Application and Interview
Writing Your Resume and Cover Letter
When you apply for a job in Canada, your resume should be one to two pages, formatted in reverse chronological order, and focused on specific skills and accomplishments. If you have a gap in your work history due to your journey to Canada or the time you spent waiting for your work permit, you can note that you were settling in Canada during that period. Canadian employers are generally familiar with this context and it will not count against your application.
Your cover letter, when required, should be short and direct. State the role you are applying for, mention one or two skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate, and confirm that you are legally authorized to work in Canada with an open work permit. Keeping it brief and specific will make a stronger impression than a lengthy general introduction.
At Your Interview
Be ready to explain your work authorization in plain terms. Most employers will ask whether you are legally eligible to work in Canada. Your answer is yes, and you hold an open work permit. Bring a printed copy of your permit to the interview. Keep the focus of your conversation on your skills, your experience, and your motivation to contribute. The details of your immigration case are for IRCC to manage, not your employer.
If the 900-series SIN comes up during onboarding paperwork, explain calmly that it is issued to temporary residents with valid work authorization in Canada. Most HR staff at established companies know what this means, and those who do not are generally satisfied by a brief explanation.
FAQ
Can refugee claimants legally work in Canada?
Yes. Refugee claimants who have filed an asylum claim with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) are eligible to apply for an open work permit from IRCC. Once the permit is issued, you can work for almost any employer in Canada while your refugee protection claim is being processed at the RPD.
How long does it take to get a work permit as a refugee claimant?
Processing times vary by application type, intake volume, and the province where you applied. IRCC posts current processing time estimates on its website, and these can change frequently. Some provincial pilot programs offer faster timelines for eligible claimants. Submitting your application as early as possible after filing your refugee claim is the best way to reduce your waiting period.
What is a 900-series SIN and will employers accept it?
A 900-series SIN, starting with the digit 9, is issued by Service Canada to temporary residents who have work authorization in Canada, including refugee claimants on open work permits. It is a valid SIN for employment, tax reporting, and payroll purposes. Most employers in high-volume sectors like food service, warehousing, and commercial cleaning process 900-series SINs routinely and without issue.
Which industries in Canada hire the most refugee claimants?
Food service, warehousing and logistics, cleaning and janitorial services, and security guard work are consistently the most accessible sectors for refugee claimants with open work permits. These industries have strong ongoing demand, low formal credential barriers at the entry level, and established experience hiring newcomers in temporary status.
Do I need Canadian work experience to get a job as a refugee claimant?
Not necessarily. Many entry-level positions in food service, warehousing, and cleaning do not require prior Canadian work experience. Experience and skills from your home country are relevant and should be included on your resume. Settlement agency employment programs can help you present that experience in a format that Canadian employers are familiar with.
What should I do if my open work permit is about to expire?
Apply to renew it before the expiry date. You can submit your renewal application online through your IRCC secure account. If your renewal application is submitted before the current permit expires, you are generally allowed to continue working under the same conditions while IRCC processes the renewal. This is known as maintained status, and it protects you from a gap in your employment authorization. Do not wait until the final days to apply.
Ready to Start Your Job Search
Finding work as a refugee claimant in Canada is possible, and people in your situation successfully build careers here every year. Start with the sectors that are most accessible, get your work permit and SIN in place, use settlement agencies for guidance, and apply through platforms that understand your situation.
Ready to take the next step? Visit RefugeeEmployment.ca at https://refugeeemployment.ca/job-seekers to browse current openings and create a candidate profile.