Arshdeep Singh kahlon

The Vulnerable Open Work Permit is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit under Section 207.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). This permit allows foreign workers to work for any employer in Canada, except for those listed as non-compliant or engaged in adult entertainment services.

Unlike employer-specific work permits, which restrict foreign workers to one employer, an OWP-V provides immediate relief by enabling workers to leave unsafe conditions without the fear of violating their immigration status.

At Kahlon Law Office, we understand that temporary foreign workers in Canada can sometimes find themselves in abusive work environments. If you are experiencing physical, sexual, financial, or psychological abuse at your workplace, you do not have to stay in that situation. Canada offers the Vulnerable Open Work Permit (OWP-V), a temporary legal solution allowing foreign workers to leave an abusive employer and seek safer employment.

Who is eligible for a vulnerable open work permit?

To qualify for a Vulnerable Open Work Permit, you must:

Be inside Canada (applications made at the port of entry are not accepted).
Hold a valid employer-specific work permit or have applied for an extension before its expiry.
Demonstrate that you are experiencing or at risk of abuse related to your employment.

Family members who are already in Canada with the applicant may also be eligible for an open work permit.

What is considered abuse in the workplace?

Abuse is any behaviour that scares, controls, or isolates a worker, including:

Physical abuse – Assault, forced confinement, or unsafe working conditions.
Sexual abuse – Unwanted sexual contact, harassment, or coercion.
Psychological abuse – Threats, intimidation, verbal abuse, or control over movement.
Financial abuse – Withholding wages, stealing money, or forcing workers to pay recruitment fees.
Employer retaliation – Punishing workers for reporting abuse or cooperating with inspections.

How can you apply for a vulnerable open work permit?

Applying for an OWP-V requires submitting evidence of abuse along with your application. Common forms of evidence include:

A letter of explanation describing the abuse or risk of abuse.
Reports from abuse support organizations, healthcare professionals, or social workers.
A sworn affidavit from the applicant.
Police or enforcement agency reports.
Witness statements, emails, text messages, photos, or pay stubs reflecting exploitative conditions.

Applications are submitted online through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal, and there is no fee to apply. The government aims to respond within five business days, prioritizing applications due to their urgent nature.

Why choose Kahlon Law Office?

If you are experiencing abuse at work, seeking legal advice can help protect your rights, status, and future in Canada. At Kahlon Law Office, we provide compassionate and strategic legal representation to help you:

Gather the necessary evidence for your OWP-V application.
Ensure a strong, complete, and well-documented application.
Explore options for permanent residence under humanitarian grounds.

You do not have to suffer in silence. Contact Kahlon Law Office today for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward safety and security in Canada.

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Vulnerable Open Work Permit

Who is eligible for a vulnerable open work permit?

What is considered abuse in the workplace?

How can you apply for a vulnerable open work permit?

Why choose Kahlon Law Office?

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