After filing your Basis of Claim (BOC) in Canada, getting an open work permit usually takes 2 to 4 months. You must first complete a mandatory Immigration Medical Exam (IME) before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will process your permit.
Arriving in Canada to seek asylum is a complex and emotionally draining journey. Once you are here, surviving and integrating into society requires the ability to earn a living legally. Fortunately, Canada allows refugee claimants to apply for an open work permit while they wait for their hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). This specific permit allows you to work for almost any employer in the country, providing essential financial stability for your family.
However, the work permit is not handed out automatically the moment you cross the border. The process involves multiple federal agencies, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and IRCC. 🏨 A critical roadblock for many claimants is the mandatory medical exam. Without it, your work permit application will sit in a holding pattern indefinitely. To ensure your paperwork is filed perfectly and without delay, we strongly recommend hiring a dedicated refugee law firm from our directory to manage your claim.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada: Getting Your Refugee Work Permit
Whether you made your refugee claim at an airport in Montreal, a land border in British Columbia, or an inland office in Toronto, the federal requirements for obtaining your open work permit remain exactly the same.
Step 1: Submitting Your Refugee Claim and BOC
Your journey begins by officially submitting your asylum claim. If you apply inland, you must submit your Basis of Claim (BOC) form along with your initial application package. Inside this portal, you must clearly check the box indicating that you are requesting an open work permit because you need to support yourself financially while awaiting your hearing.
Step 2: Completing the Immigration Medical Exam (IME)
IRCC will not issue a work permit until you are medically cleared to protect Canadian public health. You will receive a medical instruction letter to undergo an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) with a government-approved Panel Physician. The doctor will perform a physical, blood tests, and a chest x-ray, and then send the results directly to IRCC.
Step 3: IRCC Processes the Work Permit
Once your medical exam results are uploaded into the IRCC system and you are deemed healthy, the processing of your work permit truly begins. 💻 Because you indicated your need for a work permit in your initial claim, no separate paper application is usually required. IRCC will assess your file and print the document.
Step 4: Receiving Your Permit and Applying for a SIN
The physical open work permit will be mailed to the Canadian address you provided on your forms. Once you hold this document, you must visit a Service Canada centre to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Your SIN will begin with the number “9”, indicating you are a temporary resident. You are now legally allowed to work in Canada!
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Canada recognizes that asylum seekers arrive with very few resources. Therefore, the financial burden is kept extremely low compared to economic immigrants.
- IRCC Work Permit and Biometric Fees: Refugee claimants are completely exempt from the standard $155 CAD work permit fee, the $100 CAD open work permit holder fee, and the $85 CAD biometrics fee. It costs $0 CAD, and the Biometric Instruction Letter is generated automatically at no cost.
- Medical Exam (IME) Fees: Your medical exam is covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). However, some clinics may charge a minor administrative or translation fee ranging from $20 to $50 CAD.
- Lawyer Fees: If you hire a law firm to manage your entire refugee claim, drafting the BOC and managing the work permit usually costs between $3,500 and $6,000 CAD, unless you qualify for Legal Aid in your province.
Comparison: Refugee Open Work Permit vs. Closed Work Permit
| Feature | Refugee Open Work Permit | Standard Closed Work Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Restrictions | Can work for almost any employer in Canada. | Tied strictly to one specific employer. |
| LMIA Requirement | No Labour Market Impact Assessment needed. | Usually requires an approved LMIA. |
| Application Cost | Free (Fee-exempt). | $155 CAD application fee. |
| Validity Period | Usually valid for 24 months, renewable. | Varies based on the employment contract. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Timelines depend heavily on how quickly you complete your medical exam. Booking an appointment with a Panel Physician can take 1 to 3 weeks. Once the doctor submits your healthy medical results to the government, IRCC typically takes 4 to 8 weeks to process, print, and mail the work permit. Overall, most refugee claimants receive their open work permit within 2 to 4 months of submitting their BOC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I work for cash before my permit arrives?
No. Working without a valid work permit is a direct violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. It is considered unauthorized labour and can negatively impact your refugee claim and future residency applications.
What happens to my work permit if my refugee claim is rejected?
If the IRB rejects your claim, your work permit remains valid until its printed expiry date, or until all your legal appeals (such as the Refugee Appeal Division or Federal Court) are exhausted and a removal order becomes enforceable.
Do my children get open work permits too?
If your children are of working age (typically 16 or older), they can apply for their own open work permits under the same fee-exempt refugee process. Younger children will receive study permits instead.
Can I leave Canada while holding this work permit?
No. A refugee claimant work permit does not act as a travel document. If you leave Canada while your asylum claim is in progress, the government will assume you have abandoned your claim, and you may be barred from re-entering the country.
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