Who can apply

To exit this page quickly:

If your abuser monitors your computer, delete your browsing history.

You can apply for an open work permit as a vulnerable worker if you

are in Canada
- You can’t apply at a port of entry.
are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada, and
have a valid (not expired) employer-specific work permit with your employer’s name on it, or
applied to extend your work permit before it expired and you’re still waiting on a decision

Abuse can be any behaviour that scares, controls or isolates you. It can be physical, sexual, financial, psychological or reprisal.

Examples of abuse that you should report in your application include:

physical harm
forcing you to work in a way that’s unsafe or puts your health at risk
unsafe or unsanitary living conditions in employer-provided housing
sexual touching that you did not agree to
making unwanted sexual comments to you
controlling where you can go
stealing from you
stopping you from seeing friends or co-workers
taking some or all of the money you are paid
threats, insults and intimidation
forcing you to commit fraud
a third party charging you fees for a job or making promises that aren’t real
any disciplinary measure, demotion, dismissal or threat to take any of these measures because you’ve reported non-compliance with working conditions or cooperated with an employer inspection

2025-12-19