How Your Canadian Work Permit Affects Your Temporary Resident Status

1.75 minute read

"Canada offers 2 types of work permits: Open work permits and Employer-Specific work permits, also known as Closed work permits. These are temporary work permits. Open work permits, as the name suggests, authorizes the holder to work for any employer in Canada. An employer-specific work permit, on the other hand, will allow the holder to only work for a specific employer at a specific location in Canada."

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: Jun 24, 2021

Canada offers 2 types of work permits: Open work permits and Employer-Specific work permits, also known as Closed work permits. These are temporary work permits. Open work permits, as the name suggests, authorizes the holder to work for any employer in Canada. An employer-specific work permit, on the other hand, will allow the holder to only work for a specific employer at a specific location in Canada.

Now, while open work permit holders are at no risk of losing their status in Canada based on their employment status, employer-specific work permit holders are limited to only one employer. Therefore, losing their employment will mean an end to their stay in Canada.

Losing your temporary residence status based on your employment is particularly aggravating for temporary workers after all the effort that has been into successfully applying for a work permit. However, if you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, there is a way for you to address these issues.

What Happens If an Employer-Specific Work Permit Holder Loses Their Job?

If an employer-specific work permit holder loses their job in Canada, then they will not be deported or asked to leave right away. Temporary foreign workers with these work permits are authorized to stay in the country until their permit expires. However, they will not be authorized to work for any employer in Canada during this period.

If they want to apply for a new job, then they must apply for a new employer-specific work permit or an open work permit, if they are eligible. They can also apply for a visitor visa or a study permit as long as they meet the eligibility requirements and apply before their current work permit expires.

What Happens If an Open Work Permit Holder Loses Their Job?

Since open work permit holders are allowed to work for any employer in Canada, their status of employment will not affect their temporary residence status. They are authorized to extend their stay or apply for permanent residence if they are eligible for any available immigration programs. They can easily apply for a new job at another location in Canada.