If you have made a refugee claim in Canada, you may be eligible for an open work permit that lets you work for any employer in Canada, without being tied to a single job offer. Getting this permit into your hands as quickly as possible matters because it directly affects your ability to support yourself and your family while your claim moves through the system. This guide covers who qualifies, how to apply, and exactly what to do if your application is delayed.
Quick Takeaways
- Refugee claimants in Canada can apply for an open work permit (OWPC) through IRCC
- The permit is not employer-specific: you can work for any employer, in any sector, anywhere in Canada
- IRCC publishes a processing time target; if your permit has not arrived past that window, you have options to follow up and escalate
- Protected persons (those who have received a positive IRB decision) qualify for a separate open work permit
- You do not need a job offer to apply
What Is an Open Work Permit for Refugee Claimants?
An open work permit for refugee claimants is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows you to work legally in Canada while your refugee claim is being assessed by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). The permit is sometimes referred to as an OWPC.
The word "open" is key: this permit is not tied to one employer or one occupation. Once you have it, you can take a job from any employer, switch employers, or work in different sectors. This flexibility matters enormously when you are trying to build financial stability after arriving in Canada.
The permit does not mean your refugee claim has been decided. It is a separate document that exists so claimants can support themselves during what is often a lengthy process at the IRB.
The Difference Between a Refugee Claimant and a Protected Person
A refugee claimant is someone who has filed a claim with the IRB and is waiting for a hearing and decision. A protected person is someone whose claim has already been accepted and who has been recognized as a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection. Both groups can get open work permits in Canada, but through different pathways. This guide focuses on claimants whose cases are still pending before the IRB.
What the Permit Covers
Your open work permit will show a start date and an expiry date. During that period, you can work full-time or part-time, for any employer, in any province or territory. Some regulated professions require separate provincial licensing regardless of your work permit status (practicing law and medicine are two examples), but the permit itself does not restrict which sector or type of work you pursue.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
You are eligible to apply for an open work permit as a refugee claimant if your refugee claim has been referred to the IRB, meaning it has passed the eligibility screening at the port of entry or at an IRCC office inside Canada. You must also not already be authorized to work in Canada under another immigration status, and you must not be subject to certain inadmissibility grounds that would disqualify you.
Eligibility can be affected by your specific circumstances, including the country you traveled through before arriving in Canada. If you are unsure whether you qualify, a settlement worker or a legal aid immigration clinic can help you assess your situation at no cost to you.
Claims Made at a Port of Entry vs. Inland
If you made your refugee claim at the border (a port of entry), IRCC border officers may give you a temporary document that authorizes you to work right away, before you submit a formal work permit application. This temporary authorization is not the same as the full open work permit. If you made your claim inland at an IRCC office inside Canada, you will need to apply for the permit separately.
Dependent Family Members
Family members who accompanied you to Canada and are listed on your refugee claim may also be eligible for open work permits in some situations. Ask a settlement worker about your specific family composition to find out whether this applies to you.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Applying for your open work permit as a refugee claimant involves gathering a few documents and submitting an application to IRCC. The process is straightforward once you have the right pieces in place.
What You Will Need
- Your refugee claimant document, such as a Basis of Claim receipt or an IRB acknowledgment letter confirming your claim has been referred
- Your passport or other travel document, if you have one available
- Two passport-size photos that meet IRCC specifications (requirements are listed on the IRCC website)
- The correct application form for your situation (confirm the current form number on the IRCC website at the time of your application, as forms are periodically updated)
- The applicable processing fee (amounts are posted on the IRCC website; check whether a fee waiver may apply in your circumstances)
Where to Submit Your Application
For a full open work permit, you will typically apply through the IRCC online portal using your IRCC Secure Account, or by paper mail to the appropriate IRCC processing centre. The correct mailing address depends on your specific situation and is listed on the Government of Canada website.
After Submission
Once IRCC receives your complete application, you will receive an acknowledgment of receipt. Keep this document carefully. The date on it is your starting point for tracking processing timelines and for any follow-up if your application is delayed.
Timelines: What to Expect After Applying
IRCC aims to process open work permit applications from refugee claimants within a specific window. Current processing time estimates are posted on the IRCC website and are updated regularly. These estimates are not guarantees: some applicants receive their permits within the target window, and others experience delays due to application volumes or file-specific issues.
When you submit your application, note the current posted processing time so you have a reference point. If you applied online, log into your IRCC Secure Account periodically to check for status updates on your file.
The Interim Federal Health Program
While you are waiting for your work permit, you may be eligible for health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which provides basic health benefits to refugee claimants. This is completely separate from the work permit process, but confirming your IFHP eligibility with a settlement worker early on is a practical step for your overall settlement planning.
What to Do If Your Work Permit Is Delayed Past 30 Days
A delay past the expected processing window is frustrating, and the consequences are real: without your work permit, you cannot legally earn income. Here is a clear path to follow if your application is taking longer than expected.
Step 1: Confirm Your Application Was Received
Verify that IRCC received your application and that your file was complete when submitted. If you applied online, log into your IRCC Secure Account to confirm the application shows as received. If you applied by paper and never received an acknowledgment of receipt by mail, contact IRCC to confirm whether your application arrived.
Step 2: Check the Current Published Processing Times
Visit the IRCC website and find the current processing time estimate for open work permits for refugee claimants. If your application has been pending longer than the current posted estimate, you have grounds to follow up.
Step 3: Contact the IRCC Client Support Centre
The IRCC Client Support Centre is the primary channel for individual follow-up on delayed applications. You can reach them in two ways:
- Web form: Submit a status inquiry through the IRCC web form available on the Government of Canada website
- Phone: Call 1-888-242-2100, which is toll-free from within Canada and the United States (hours of operation are posted on the IRCC website)
Before you call or submit the web form, have the following ready:
- Your full name exactly as it appears on your application
- Your date of birth
- Your client ID or application number, which appears on your acknowledgment of receipt
- The date IRCC received your application
Explain clearly that you are a refugee claimant waiting for an open work permit, that your application has been pending beyond the currently posted processing time, and that the delay is affecting your ability to work legally in Canada.
Step 4: Escalate Through a Legal Aid Clinic or Settlement Organization
If following up with the IRCC Client Support Centre does not resolve the delay, the next step is to involve a legal aid immigration clinic or an accredited immigration representative. They can submit a formal inquiry on your behalf, which sometimes moves a file more quickly than an individual inquiry does.
Legal aid is free for people who cannot afford to pay a lawyer. Most provinces have organizations that specialize in immigration cases, and many settlement organizations can connect you with the right referral. Newcomer resource centres, employment settlement agencies, and community legal clinics are all good first points of contact.
What to Avoid
Do not submit a duplicate application while your first one is pending. A second submission will not speed up the first application and can create confusion in your file. Do not pay anyone who claims they can "expedite" your permit for a fee outside of a licensed representative relationship: this is a scam that specifically targets newcomers and refugee claimants.
Open Work Permits for Protected Persons
If the IRB has issued a positive decision on your claim and you have been recognized as a protected person, your situation changes in an important way. You can now apply for a new open work permit based on your protected person status. If your current work permit is still valid, it continues to authorize you to work until it expires, so there is no immediate gap.
Apply for the updated permit as soon as you receive your positive decision. This ensures you have continuity once your current permit expires. Recognition as a protected person also opens the path toward applying for permanent residency in Canada, which is a separate application process. A legal aid clinic or settlement worker can help you understand the steps and timelines involved.
Finding Work While You Have Your Open Work Permit
Once your permit is in your hands, the job search begins in earnest. Canadian employers across many sectors actively hire workers at this stage. Manufacturing, food production, warehousing and logistics, retail, cleaning and building maintenance, care work, and construction are among the sectors where refugee claimants with open work permits have found employment. If you have professional credentials from your home country, provincial credential recognition bodies and bridging programs can help you work toward using those qualifications in Canada over time.
When you apply for jobs, you will show your open work permit as proof that you are authorized to work. In most Canadian provinces, employers cannot legally refuse to hire you based solely on your immigration status. If you believe you have experienced this type of discrimination, contact your provincial human rights commission for information.
RefugeeEmployment.ca connects refugee claimants with Canadian employers who are actively looking to hire newcomers. Browsing current listings can give you a real sense of which sectors are hiring in your area and what qualifications employers are looking for right now.
For personalized job search support, including resume help, interview preparation, and connections to settlement services, visit the RefugeeEmployment.ca job seekers page and create your candidate profile. It takes only a few minutes and puts your information in front of employers who are committed to inclusive hiring practices.
FAQ
Can I work before my open work permit arrives?
In most cases, you cannot work legally in Canada while waiting for your permit unless you received a temporary work authorization document at the port of entry when you made your claim. Check your documents carefully to see whether you were given any interim authorization. If you are not sure, ask a settlement worker or legal aid clinic before accepting a job.
What is the IRCC client support line number?
IRCC's toll-free number is 1-888-242-2100, available from within Canada and the United States. You can also submit a written status inquiry through the IRCC web form on the Government of Canada website. Have your client ID, application number, and the date IRCC received your application ready before you call or submit.
What if my work permit expires before my IRB hearing?
You can apply to renew your open work permit before the expiry date on your current permit. IRCC recommends starting the renewal process well ahead of time to avoid any gap in your authorization to work. A settlement worker or legal aid clinic can help you prepare the renewal application and track the right timing.
Does my open work permit limit me to one province?
An open work permit for refugee claimants generally authorizes you to work anywhere in Canada, in any province or territory. However, always read the conditions printed on your actual permit document to confirm, since individual permits occasionally contain specific notations.
An employer said they cannot hire refugee claimants. Is that allowed?
In most Canadian provinces, employers cannot refuse to hire you based solely on your immigration status. If you believe you have experienced this type of discrimination, you can contact your provincial human rights commission for guidance. A legal aid immigration clinic can also advise you on your options and help you understand the complaint process.
I am now a protected person. Do I need a new work permit right away?
Your current open work permit remains valid until its expiry date, so you can continue working without interruption. However, you should apply for a new work permit based on your protected person status as soon as possible after receiving your positive IRB decision. This protects you from a gap in authorization once your current permit expires.
Ready to take the next step? Visit RefugeeEmployment.ca at https://refugeeemployment.ca/job-seekers to browse current openings and create a candidate profile that puts you in front of Canadian employers committed to inclusive hiring.
