The open work permit is valid for up to 3 years.
Who can applyTo be eligible, you must
- hold a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or the United Kingdom to a British National Overseas (BNO)
- Your work permit is valid for up to 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- For example, if your passport is valid for 6 months, then you will be issued an open work permit for 6 months.
- To maximize the duration of the open work permit, make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 years from the date of approval.
- Tell us how long you want your work permit to be valid.
- Your work permit is valid for up to 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- have graduated no more than 5 years before you apply for this open work permit, with
- a degree (for example, bachelor, master or doctorate) from a designated post-secondary learning institution in Canada or abroad, or
- a diploma for a minimum 2-year program from a designated post-secondary learning institution in Canada or abroad
If you got a diploma outside of Canada, you must provide an ECA.
The ECA must be from an organization or a professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. They’ll give you a report that tells you what your education is equal to in Canada.
Processing times and costs vary by organization or professional body.
Once you choose a designated organization or a professional body, they’ll tell you how to submit your documents to get your assessment.
Designated organizationsYou must use one of these designated organizations:
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
- designated: April 17, 2013
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- designated: April 17, 2013
- World Education Services
- designated: April 17, 2013
- International Qualifications Assessment Service
- designated: August 6, 2015
- International Credential Evaluation Service
- designated: August 6, 2015