Can Refugee Claimants Work in Canada? 2026 Guide

• By Swati Raj
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If you’ve just made a refugee claim in Canada, one of your first worries is probably money. Rent, food, phone bills and family back home don’t wait for a decision, and IRB hearings can take a long time to schedule. So the natural question is: can you work in the meantime?

The short answer: Yes, in most cases. Refugee claimants can work in Canada, but only after they receive a work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The permit is an open work permit, which means you aren’t tied to one employer. You must also get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) after the permit is approved. Working before you hold a valid permit is not allowed, even if your claim is going well.

This guide explains how the process works in plain language, who qualifies, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cost people time. If you haven’t filed your claim yet, start with our guide on how to claim asylum in Canada, then come back here.

Why You Can’t Just Start Working

Making a refugee claim does not automatically give you the right to work. Your claim asks Canada to protect you. A work permit is a separate permission that comes from a separate application.

IRCC wants to know three things before it grants that permission: that you are who you say you are, that your health has been checked, and that your claim has been found eligible to move forward. Until those steps are done, you are not authorized to work, whether it’s a cash job, a “trial shift” or a friend’s business.

That matters because unauthorized work can create problems later. It may damage your credibility, affect your permanent residence application down the road, and expose you to employers who take advantage of people without status. We cover what to expect at the later stages in our post on how to go from refugee claim to Canadian PR.

What Is the Open Work Permit for Refugee Claimants?

An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada. You don’t need a job offer to apply, and you don’t need a labour market assessment from the employer. That’s very different from an employer-specific permit, where you can only work for the company named on the document.

A few points to understand:

• “Open” does not mean “unlimited.” Your permit still has conditions printed on it, and you must follow them. Some jobs, such as those in healthcare or childcare, may have extra requirements from licensing bodies or employers.
• It is temporary. The permit has an expiry date, and you’ll need to extend it if your claim is still being decided when it ends.
• It is tied to your claim. Your permit is connected to your refugee claim process, so changes in the claim can affect it.

Who Can Apply?

In general, you can apply for a work permit if you’ve made a refugee claim in Canada and your claim has been found eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

Eligibility is the key word. When you make a claim, an officer first checks whether it is allowed to go to the IRB at all. Some claims are found ineligible, for example under the Safe Third Country Agreement or other rules in the law. If your claim is not eligible, the work permit route works differently, and we explain that below.

You’ll normally also need to:

• Complete an immigration medical exam with an approved panel physician
• Give your biometrics (fingerprints and a photo)
• Provide the documents IRCC asks for through the application system or the Canadian Refugee Protection Portal

IRCC has changed how this works over time. Since November 2022, work permits for claimants can be processed once the claim is found eligible, even before the IRB receives the file. That shortened the wait for many people, but you should still check the current rules on IRCC’s site, because policies move quickly.

What You Need to Apply

Every case is different, and IRCC may ask for extra documents. A typical application includes:

• Your claim documents. This usually means the acknowledgment that your claim was made and found eligible.
• A valid passport or travel document, if you have one. If you don’t, you can explain why.
• Photos and biometrics.
• Your immigration medical exam confirmation. The exam must be done by a panel physician approved by IRCC, so don’t use your regular family doctor.
• Completed forms. IRCC will tell you which ones apply to you.

Keep copies of everything. Save the receipt numbers and confirmation emails. If you’re ever asked to prove when you applied, those records can save you.

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1: Make your refugee claim. You can make a claim at a port of entry, at an IRCC office, or online if you’re already in Canada. Your claim is assessed for eligibility first.

Step 2: Request the work permit. In many cases, you can include the work permit request when you submit your claim. If you didn’t, you can apply for it separately afterward.

Step 3: Complete the medical exam. Book your exam as soon as you can. Delays here are one of the most common reasons work permits take longer than expected.

Step 4: Give your biometrics. IRCC will tell you where and when. Don’t miss the deadline.

Step 5: Wait for a decision. IRCC reviews your application and sends you the result. Check your online account and your email regularly, including spam.

Step 6: Apply for your SIN. Once your permit is approved, you apply for your Social Insurance Number through Service Canada (more on that next).

Step 7: Start working legally. Only begin once you hold both the valid permit and your SIN.

Getting Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Your SIN is a nine-digit number that employers need to pay you and report your income. For people on temporary status, a SIN usually starts with the number 9, and it expires when your permit expires.

To apply, you go through Service Canada. You’ll need your work permit and identity documents. The process and requirements are on the Government of Canada SIN page.

A few warnings that matter here:

• Never use someone else’s SIN, and never let anyone use yours. This is serious fraud.
• Update your SIN if your permit is extended, since its expiry date follows your permit.
• Keep your number private. Share it only with a real employer after you’ve been hired.

How Long Does It Take?

There’s no single answer. Processing depends on how complete your application is, how quickly you finish the medical exam and biometrics, and how busy IRCC is at the time. Some people are approved in a matter of weeks, while others wait months, especially if something is missing.

You can see current averages on the IRCC processing times page. Treat those numbers as estimates, not promises.

The fastest way to avoid delays is to submit a complete application, book your medical exam immediately, and respond quickly to any request from IRCC.

What If Your Claim Is Found Ineligible?

This is where the rules get more complicated, and where your situation really matters.

If your claim is found ineligible for referral to the IRB, you usually can’t get the standard claimant work permit. Instead, you may be able to apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), and once you’re formally notified that you may apply, your removal order is put on hold and you may become eligible to apply for an open work permit.

There was a gap in the past. Some people were found ineligible but couldn’t work for a period before the PRRA notice arrived. In 2026, IRCC introduced a temporary public policy to help certain people in that situation get or keep an open work permit during this gap. IRCC has said the policy can be revoked at any time, and eligibility depends on the details of your case, so don’t assume it applies to you without checking.

If this is your situation, read our guides on how to apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment and what to do if you receive a PRRA notification. Getting the timing right on these steps can affect both your safety and your ability to work.

What Happens to Your Work Permit If Your Claim Is Decided?

Your work permit is not permanent, and the result of your claim can change things.

• If your claim is accepted: You become a protected person and can apply for permanent residence. In many cases you can also apply for a new open work permit while you wait, so you don’t have to stop working.
• If your claim is refused: Your options depend on whether you can appeal, whether a removal order is in force, and whether you can apply for a PRRA. A refusal doesn’t always mean you must stop working immediately, but your permit can become invalid if a removal order becomes enforceable. If you’re in this position, speak to a licensed professional before the next deadline. Our post on why a PRRA gets refused explains what can happen further down the road.
• If you’re still waiting: Keep your permit valid. Apply to extend it before it expires, because letting it lapse can leave you without authorization to work.

While you wait for your hearing, how you use that time also counts. Our guide on how to prepare while waiting for your IRB hearing explains how to balance work, evidence gathering and preparation.

What About Your Spouse and Children?

Family members who are included in your claim can often apply for their own work permits, and each application is assessed individually. Children generally have access to school. Requirements vary depending on age and whether they’re part of your claim, so check the current IRCC instructions for each family member.

Everyone who wants to work needs their own permit and their own SIN. One person’s permit doesn’t cover anyone else.

Your Rights Once You’re Working

Once you hold a valid permit and SIN, you have the same basic workplace protections as other workers in Canada. In general, that includes:

• Being paid at least the minimum wage in your province
• Safe working conditions
• Overtime and holiday rules where they apply
• Protection from discrimination and harassment

Some points that are easy to overlook:

• Get everything in writing where possible, including your pay rate and schedule.
• Keep pay records. Save pay stubs, bank deposits and your hours.
• File your taxes. Earning income in Canada means you’ll file a tax return, even in your first year.
• Don’t accept cash-only jobs “off the books” if it means you’re being paid without a record. It leaves you with no proof of income or protection.

If an employer threatens to report you, withhold pay, or hold your documents, that is not normal. Contact a legal clinic, a settlement agency or a licensed professional for help.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Working before the permit is approved. Even short or unpaid trial work can create a problem. Wait for the permit.

2. Delaying the medical exam. It’s one of the biggest causes of slow processing. Book it early.

3. Missing biometrics instructions. If you miss the deadline, your application can stall.

4. Letting the permit expire. Apply for an extension in time. Don’t wait until the last week.

5. Not updating your address. IRCC and the IRB send important notices to the address on file. Missing one can have serious consequences for your claim.

6. Ignoring claim deadlines because of work. Your Basis of Claim form and hearing dates have strict timelines. A job is never an excuse to miss them. Our post Stressed About Your Refugee Claim? has practical advice on managing the pressure.

7. Relying on unlicensed advisors. Only lawyers, paralegals and licensed immigration consultants are allowed to give immigration advice for a fee in Canada. Bad advice can cost you your claim.

8. Assuming all work permits are the same. A claimant permit has its own rules. Don’t use information meant for students, skilled workers or spouses. If you’re curious about how other permits get refused, our article on the top reasons for Canadian work permit rejection shows how small errors lead to refusals.

Finding Work While Your Claim Is Pending

Getting the permit is only half the journey. Finding a job is the other half.

• Look at local settlement agencies. Many offer free job-search help, resume reviews and workshops.
• Adapt your resume to Canadian style. Keep it short and focused on results, and leave out photos and personal details like age or marital status.
• Start with accessible sectors. Many claimants find entry-level work in warehousing, food services, cleaning, construction and caregiving while they build Canadian experience.
• Ask about your rights before you accept. A real employer will understand if you ask for the pay rate and schedule in writing.
• Keep your claim first. Don’t schedule shifts that clash with hearings, medical appointments or required interviews.

How a Licensed Consultant Can Help

A work permit application looks simple, but small gaps can cause long delays. A missing document, a medical exam that isn’t linked to your file, or a misunderstanding about eligibility can set you back by weeks or months, and you can’t afford that while bills are building up.

At Real World Immigration, our team in Brampton, Ontario, helps refugee claimants understand their options, prepare applications and meet deadlines. We’ll explain your situation honestly, including what is possible and what isn’t. To learn how we support claimants, visit our Refugee and Asylum service page, or contact us to talk through your case.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, refugee claimants can work in Canada, but only after receiving an open work permit and a SIN.
• To qualify, your claim must generally be found eligible, and you’ll need a medical exam and biometrics.
• You can often apply together with your claim, or separately afterward.
• If your claim is ineligible, a different route may apply, and recent IRCC policies may help in some cases.
• Never work before your permit is approved, and extend it before it expires.
• Rules change often, so always confirm the latest details with IRCC or a licensed professional.