A closed, or employer-specific, work permit lets you work for one employer under specific conditions. An open work permit lets you work for most employers in Canada. Before accepting an offer, check which permit it will lead to, who pays for what and how you could change jobs if needed.
A job offer in Canada is great news. But for a foreign candidate, it also ties you to a status, an employer and sometimes a province. Understanding the permit type before you sign helps you avoid unpleasant surprises once you arrive.
The rules cited here come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Government of Québec, as of November 2026. They change often, so always check the official page before you apply.
What is the difference between a closed and an open work permit?
According to IRCC's page on work permit types, the employer-specific permit is the most common. It requires a job offer, and the employer may need a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). The open permit is for special circumstances and does not require a job offer. You do not choose your permit type: it depends on your eligibility.
| Criterion | Closed (employer-specific) permit | Open permit |
| Job offer | Required | Not required |
| Who you can work for | The employer named on the permit | Most eligible employers in Canada |
| Conditions on the permit | Employer, length of stay and, if applicable, work location | Possible restrictions (location, type of work, medical exam) |
| LMIA | Often required of the employer, unless exempt | Not required |
| Changing employers | New permit application needed | Allowed while the permit is valid |
| Who can get it | Candidates with an offer from a Canadian employer | Specific situations: graduates, some spouses, International Experience Canada, etc. |
Who can get an open work permit?
IRCC states on its open work permit page that most people applying from outside Canada are not eligible. Eligible categories include:
- eligible graduates applying for a post-graduation work permit;
- International Experience Canada Working Holiday participants;
- some spouses and dependent children of workers, students or permanent residence applicants;
- people experiencing workplace abuse, refugees, asylum claimants and people in crisis;
- some permanent residence applicants.
Even an open permit can carry restrictions. For example, a permit linked to a provincial program may limit you to one province. An open permit also does not let you work for an employer on the list of non-compliant employers.
Can you change employers with a closed permit?
Yes, but not overnight. According to IRCC's page on changing jobs or employers, you must apply for a new work permit if you are eligible. Open work permit holders, on the other hand, can change employers at any time while their permit is valid.
In some cases, a measure lets you start with the new employer while your application is processed. You must have applied in Canada for a new employer-specific permit, then submit an IRCC web form. IRCC says it should respond in about 10 to 15 days. The authorization email you receive is not a work permit.
If you lose your job, IRCC says you must stop working until your new permit is approved or you receive that authorization email. In Québec, changing employers generally requires a new Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and a new work permit, according to the Government of Québec.
What if your employer is abusing you?
A closed permit makes you dependent on your employer. That is why IRCC offers an open work permit for vulnerable workers. It is for people who are being abused, or at risk of being abused, in relation to their job in Canada. It is meant to help them leave that situation and find a new job.
Who pays recruitment and permit fees?
The rule is clear. According to Employment and Social Development Canada, an employer cannot make you pay to get or keep your job, or make you reimburse recruitment fees it paid. The worker pays only for the work permit, the medical exam and biometrics, if required.
"If anyone asks you to pay to get a job offer, stop and check with official sources.
What questions should you ask before accepting an offer?
Before signing, get written answers to these questions:
- What type of permit will this offer lead to: closed or open?
- Has the employer received a positive LMIA, or is the job exempt? Some Job Bank postings show whether the employer applied for or received an LMIA.
- If the job is in Québec, who handles the CAQ application?
- What are the wage, schedule, work location and contract length?
- Who pays for the plane ticket, temporary housing and arrival support?
- Is there a path to permanent residence, and does the employer support it?
How can you check that a job offer is legitimate?
Fake job offers often target foreign candidates. A few simple habits reduce the risk. Check that the company exists: a website, an address and a phone number you find yourself. Be wary of an offer made without an interview, a wage far above the market or any request for payment. Finally, never send a copy of your passport or your banking details before you have confirmed who the employer is.
French-speaking candidates aiming for a job outside Québec may be hired through Francophone Mobility, which lets employers hire without an LMIA if the requirements are met. The permit is still employer-specific.
Frequently asked questions
Is a closed permit worse than an open permit?
Not necessarily. The closed permit is the most common and comes with a concrete job offer. Its limit is mobility: changing employers requires a new permit application. It all depends on the quality of the employer and the job.
Can I choose to apply for an open permit instead of a closed one?
No. According to IRCC, you cannot choose your permit type: it depends on your situation and eligibility. Most applicants outside Canada are not eligible for an open permit.
Can I work for a second employer on a closed permit?
Only if your permit allows it. An employer-specific permit limits you to the employer and conditions stated on it. Any other job requires a new authorization.
Can a recruiter charge me to find a job in Canada?
No, under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The employer and anyone recruiting on its behalf cannot charge or recover recruitment fees from the worker.
Looking for a job in Canada?
Industrielle RH recruits for Canadian employers across several sectors and supports foreign workers with its partner IR Immigration. Browse our job openings or send us your resume: we will tell you clearly what kind of position and process may be available. Send your resume today.