The Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers is one of Canada’s most compassionate immigration measures: a fee-exempt open work permit available to temporary foreign workers in Canada who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing abuse by their current employer. It allows a worker to immediately leave an abusive or exploitative employment situation and work for any eligible Canadian employer — without being trapped by their closed (employer-specific) work permit.

Unlike virtually every other work permit category, this permit costs nothing — both the work permit fee and the biometrics fee are waived entirely. The application can be submitted without the knowledge or participation of the current employer, which is essential given that abusive employers often attempt to control workers through fear of losing their status or being deported. IRCC also provides a dedicated Victim Support Line (1-888-242-2100) to help workers understand their options and navigate the process.

Eligibility Requirements

• For temporary foreign workers facing abuse or at risk of being abused by their current employer
• Allows worker to immediately leave abusive employer and work for any eligible employer in Canada
• Application fee and biometrics fee are both waived
• Worker must be in Canada with a valid work permit (current or recently expired within 90 days)
• Can be applied for without the knowledge of current employer
• IRCC provides a Victim Support Line to assist with applications (1-888-242-2100)

Who Can Apply — Eligibility

The vulnerable worker open work permit is available to temporary foreign workers who meet the following conditions:

• The worker is physically in Canada
• The worker currently holds a valid work permit — or a work permit that expired within the last 90 days (recently expired permits are included to protect workers who could not leave their situation sooner)
• The worker is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse by the current employer or by someone associated with the employer
• The worker is willing to provide a statement describing the abusive situation

Workers do not need to have already reported the situation to police or other authorities before applying, although any existing reports or evidence will strengthen the application. IRCC officers assess applications with sensitivity to the power imbalances inherent in employer-dependent work permit situations.

The permit is available to workers in any sector — including agricultural workers, caregivers, service workers, and others who have been particularly vulnerable to exploitation in some Temporary Foreign Worker Program contexts.

Types of Abuse Covered

IRCC’s vulnerable worker framework covers a broad spectrum of abusive situations, including but not limited to:

• Physical abuse: Violence, threats of violence, or unsafe working conditions that risk physical harm
• Sexual abuse: Harassment, assault, or coercion of a sexual nature
• Psychological abuse: Intimidation, threats to immigration status, isolation, verbal abuse, or coercive control
• Financial abuse: Wage theft, unlawful deductions, being charged for accommodation or transportation beyond permitted limits, or withholding pay

‘At risk of abuse’ is also covered — a worker who has witnessed a co-worker being abused, or who has credible reason to believe abuse will occur, may qualify without having personally experienced abuse yet. This ‘at risk’ coverage is important because it allows workers to exit before the situation escalates.

Application Process — Confidential and Employer-Excluded

The vulnerable worker open work permit application is specifically designed to protect the worker’s safety:

1. The worker obtains the application package from IRCC (online application or paper forms). No fee payment is required — the application should be submitted as fee-exempt.
2. The worker prepares a written statement describing the abusive situation. This statement does not need to be lengthy but should be specific — dates, nature of the abuse, and any witnesses or evidence.
3. The worker attaches any available supporting evidence: police reports, medical records, text messages, emails from the employer, witness contact information, photographs of unsafe conditions, or records of wage theft.
4. The worker submits the application to IRCC online or by mail, without notifying the current employer.
5. IRCC processes the application — typically within 2–3 months, with priority processing for genuine vulnerable situations. IRCC may contact the worker for additional information but will not contact the employer during the vulnerable worker process.
6. The open work permit is issued. The worker can immediately begin working for any eligible new employer.

Workers who fear immigration consequences from their employer can also contact IRCC’s Victim Support Line (1-888-242-2100) for guidance before or during the application process.

What Happens After — Support and Next Steps

Receiving the vulnerable worker open work permit gives the worker immediate freedom to leave the abusive situation and begin new employment. However, there are further steps to consider:

• Reporting the abuse to local police (if a crime occurred) or to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for TFWP violations, or to provincial employment standards authorities for wage theft
• Accessing provincial victim services, settlement agencies, or legal aid for support with housing, safety planning, and potential civil or criminal proceedings
• Exploring long-term immigration options — if the worker has accumulated sufficient qualifying work experience in Canada, they may be eligible for permanent residence through Express Entry or PNP streams. The time spent in Canada under any valid work permit — including the vulnerable worker OWP — counts as Canadian work experience if the work was in a skilled occupation.

How VGIS Can Help

Vulnerable workers are often in frightening situations where they do not know their rights or the resources available to them. Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, and the VGIS team provide confidential consultations to workers in exploitative situations, helping them understand their options, prepare the vulnerable worker OWP application, and plan their longer-term immigration and safety strategy. Book a paid consultation — your situation will be handled with complete confidentiality.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	$0 — fee-exempt open work permit for vulnerable workers
Biometrics	$0 (also fee-exempt)

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Current or recently expired work permit
• Statement describing the abusive situation
• Evidence of abuse or risk of abuse (police reports, medical records, witness statements if available)
• Work permit application (fee-exempt)
• Passport
• Documents supporting identity and status in Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to report my employer to the police before applying for this permit?

No. Police reporting is not a prerequisite for the vulnerable worker open work permit. While police reports or other official records strengthen the application, IRCC can and does approve these permits on the basis of the worker’s statement and other non-official evidence. Workers who are not ready to report to police can still apply.

Will my employer find out that I applied for this permit?

IRCC does not notify or contact the employer as part of the vulnerable worker open work permit process. The application is handled confidentially. You can and should continue working at your current employer (if physically safe to do so) while the application processes — leaving without status would put your immigration situation at risk. Once the new open work permit is approved, you can change employers.

My work permit expired 2 months ago. Can I still apply?

Possibly. The vulnerable worker pathway covers workers whose work permits have expired within the last 90 days, provided they have remained in Canada. If your permit expired less than 90 days ago, you may still qualify. If more than 90 days have passed since expiry, the situation is more complex and should be reviewed by an RCIC as soon as possible.

Does the vulnerable worker permit allow me to work anywhere in Canada?

Yes. The vulnerable worker open work permit is an unrestricted open work permit with no employer, occupation, or geographic limitations. Once approved, you can work for any eligible Canadian employer in any occupation, anywhere in the country.

Can I report my employer for TFWP violations while also applying for this permit?

Yes, and doing so is encouraged. Workers can report TFWP violations to ESDC (Service Canada) and wage theft to provincial employment standards authorities simultaneously with their vulnerable worker OWP application. These reports do not jeopardise the OWP application and may result in the employer being investigated and sanctioned. ESDC and provincial authorities have separate confidential complaint mechanisms.

Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/vulnerable-workers.html

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.