Receiving protected person status in Canada marks a turning point in your settlement journey. The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has formally recognized that you face persecution or serious risk in your home country, and Canada has committed to protecting you. With that status comes the right to work anywhere in Canada, and understanding how to secure your open work permit quickly can help you begin building economic independence without unnecessary delays.
Quick Takeaways
- Protected persons qualify for a Category C31 open work permit, which allows you to work for any employer in Canada.
- You can apply for your work permit as soon as you receive a positive refugee protection decision from the IRB.
- No job offer is required to obtain the C31 open work permit.
- Your work permit can be renewed while your permanent residence application is being processed by IRCC.
- Permanent residence under the Protected Persons in Canada class is the next major milestone after receiving your status.
What "Protected Person" Status Means in Canada
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), a protected person is someone who has received a positive decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board in their refugee claim. There are two recognized categories:
Convention Refugees
A Convention refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, and cannot obtain protection from their country of origin or habitual residence. This is the foundational category established by the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, to which Canada is a signatory.
Persons in Need of Protection
A person in need of protection faces a personal risk of torture, a risk to life, or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment if returned to their country. This category captures situations that may not fit the strict Convention refugee definition but still require protection under Canadian law.
Once the IRB grants you protected person status, your legal standing in Canada changes substantially. You are no longer a refugee claimant waiting for a decision. You now have a confirmed positive determination, and you have the right to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The open work permit is one of the first practical steps you can take immediately after that decision.
The C31 Open Work Permit: What It Is and Who Qualifies
Protected persons in Canada can apply for an open work permit using immigration category code C31. This is a full-scope, employer-agnostic permit, meaning you can work for any employer in Canada, in any occupation (subject to provincial licensing requirements for regulated professions), and in any province or territory.
Who Qualifies for the C31 Work Permit
To be eligible for a C31 open work permit, you must meet the following conditions:
- You have received a positive refugee protection decision from the IRB
- You are inside Canada at the time of application
- You do not have criminal convictions or other inadmissibility factors that would prevent you from working in Canada
Persons who received a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) decision are also recognized as protected persons under Canadian law and qualify for the same C31 category. The PRRA process is administered by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) rather than the IRB, but the outcome carries the same legal weight for work permit purposes.
Validity Period
IRCC typically issues protected person open work permits for a period of one year at a time, though this can vary depending on your individual circumstances and the documentation you provide. Because processing times for permanent residence under the Protected Persons in Canada class can be lengthy, most people need to renew their work permit at least once before receiving their PR approval.
Family Members
Adult family members who are also in Canada and who received positive refugee protection decisions may each apply for their own open work permit. Each person requires a separate application. Dependent children who hold valid study permits are generally covered for school attendance, but adult dependants who wish to work must apply independently.
How to Apply for Your Protected Person Work Permit
Your C31 open work permit application is submitted online through your IRCC secure account (the My Application portal), or in limited circumstances by paper submission.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before applying, prepare the following:
- Your positive refugee protection decision letter from the IRB, or your PRRA approval letter
- A valid identity document accepted by IRCC (your passport, a travel document, or another acceptable identity document)
- Completed Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (form IMM 5710)
- Payment for the application fee (check the IRCC website for the current amount, as fees are updated periodically)
- Recent passport-size photos if you are applying by mail
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Most applicants can submit through the IRCC online portal using their secure account. If you cannot apply online because of your specific circumstances, a settlement agency near you can provide guidance on paper submission options. Many settlement agencies also offer free help with completing the forms correctly, which reduces the risk of delays caused by incomplete applications.
Step 3: Maintain Your Status While Waiting
Once IRCC receives your application, you have what is known as maintained status (also called implied status), which allows you to continue any activities authorized under your previous permit while your new application is being processed. Keep a printed copy of your application confirmation number as proof that you applied on time. If your current authorization was to work, you may continue working under maintained status.
Refugee Claimant Work Permit vs. Protected Person Work Permit
Two types of work permits appear in the refugee employment journey in Canada, and knowing the difference helps you manage your status correctly.
Refugee Claimant Work Permit (Category A72)
Before you receive your positive decision, while your refugee claim is still pending at the IRB, you may apply for a temporary work permit under the A72 category. This is also an open work permit, authorizing you to work for any employer, but its validity is tied to the duration of your ongoing refugee claim. When your claim is decided, the A72 permit's basis changes.
Protected Person Work Permit (Category C31)
Once you receive a positive determination and become a protected person, you move to the C31 category. This permit is grounded in your confirmed status rather than an ongoing process, and it can be renewed while your permanent residence application is pending. The C31 permit signals to employers that your right to work in Canada rests on a finalized legal determination, which can simplify employment verification for some employers.
If you currently hold an A72 work permit from your claimant period, that permit does not automatically convert to C31 when you receive your positive decision. You must apply. Do not allow your existing work permit to expire before submitting your new C31 application, since maintaining continuous valid status avoids complications in your overall immigration record.
Renewing Your Open Work Permit as a Protected Person
Processing times for permanent residence under the Protected Persons in Canada class can extend well beyond a year in many cases. Most protected persons will need to renew their open work permit at least once before receiving their PR confirmation letter.
When to Apply for Renewal
Apply for your renewal at least 90 days before your current work permit expires. IRCC processing times fluctuate, and applying early gives you a buffer against unexpected delays. As long as you apply before your current permit expires, your maintained status allows you to continue working while the renewal is pending.
Documents Required for Renewal
The renewal process closely mirrors the initial application:
- Your current work permit or proof of maintained status
- Proof of your protected person status or acknowledgment of your pending PR application
- Completed IMM 5710 form
- Current identity documents
- Application fee
Bridging Open Work Permit
If you have already submitted a permanent residence application and your work permit is approaching expiry before a PR decision is issued, you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). The BOWP is specifically designed to cover the gap between a lapsing temporary work permit and a final PR determination. Review IRCC's current eligibility requirements carefully before applying, as the BOWP has specific conditions tied to the stage of your PR application.
Transitioning to Permanent Residence Under the Protected Persons in Canada Class
After receiving protected person status, permanent residence is your next major goal. IRCC processes in-Canada protected persons under the Protected Person in Canada class. Applying for PR as soon as possible after your positive IRB decision is advisable, since processing times are calculated from the date IRCC receives your complete application.
Key Steps in the PR Application Process
- Obtain the correct in-Canada protected persons permanent residence application package from the IRCC website.
- Include your spouse and any dependent children in your application, whether they are currently in Canada or abroad.
- Pay the applicable fees, including the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF), in accordance with current IRCC instructions.
- Keep your open work permit valid throughout the entire PR processing period by renewing it before it expires.
Biometrics and Medical Examination
Your PR application will require biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) submitted at a Service Canada or designated biometrics collection site, and a completed immigration medical examination (IME) with a designated medical practitioner authorized by IRCC. Building these steps into your planning early helps avoid unexpected delays in your overall timeline.
Finding Employment as a Protected Person in Canada
A valid work permit is the legal foundation, but securing a position that matches your skills and background requires active outreach. Several programs and platforms in Canada specifically support protected persons entering the Canadian labour market.
Settlement agencies funded by IRCC, including COSTI Immigrant Services, ACCES Employment, JVS Toronto, and their regional counterparts across the country, offer employment-preparation services: resume writing, interview coaching, credential recognition guidance, and connections to employers who are actively recruiting newcomers.
Credential recognition is especially relevant if you worked in a regulated profession before coming to Canada. Engineering, medicine, nursing, and teaching are among the professions regulated by provincial licensing bodies. Starting the recognition process early, even before your work permit is issued, can shorten the time between your permit approval and your first role in your field.
RefugeeEmployment.ca is a job board and employment platform built specifically for refugees and protected persons in Canada. It connects candidates with employers who are actively seeking to hire newcomers, and it provides tools to help you create a candidate profile in a format that works for Canadian hiring processes.
The RefugeeEmployment.ca job seekers page is the place to start your search. Browse current job listings, connect with settlement resources, and build a profile that puts your skills in front of employers who are ready to hire.
FAQ
Q: Can I start working in Canada immediately after receiving protected person status?
Protected person status on its own does not authorize you to work. You still need a valid work permit. However, you can apply for your C31 open work permit immediately after receiving your positive IRB decision. If you already hold a valid A72 work permit from your claimant period, that permit remains valid until its printed expiry date while your new C31 application is being processed.
Q: Do I need a job offer to get the C31 open work permit?
No. The C31 open work permit is an open permit, meaning it does not require a job offer or a specific employer. Once the permit is issued, you can work for any employer in Canada without needing additional authorization.
Q: What happens to my work permit if my permanent residence application is refused?
Your work permit remains valid until its printed expiry date, regardless of a PR refusal. However, once your PR application is refused, you will need to address your immigration status in Canada. Consult a regulated immigration consultant (RCIC) or an immigration lawyer to understand your options, which may include an appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division or recourse through Federal Court.
Q: Can my spouse or partner apply for a work permit at the same time as me?
Yes, but each person must apply separately. If your spouse or partner also received protected person status, they are independently eligible for a C31 open work permit and must submit their own application with their own supporting documents and fee payment.
Q: Is there an application fee for the protected person work permit?
Yes, IRCC charges a work permit application fee. The current fee amount is published on the IRCC website and is updated periodically. In some circumstances, settlement agencies may be able to advise on whether a fee reduction or waiver could apply to your situation.
Q: How long does IRCC take to process the C31 work permit application?
Processing times vary and change regularly based on application volumes and staffing. IRCC publishes current estimated processing times on its website. Applying as early as possible after your positive decision, and applying for renewal well in advance of your expiry date, reduces the risk of gaps in your work authorization.
You have already taken one of the most significant legal steps: receiving protected person status in Canada. The open work permit process is your next concrete move toward economic stability and the future you are building here. Ready to take the next step? Visit RefugeeEmployment.ca at https://refugeeemployment.ca/job-seekers to browse current openings and create a candidate profile.
