I am a refugee claimant. Can I work?

As a refugee claimant, you need a work permit and a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada.

Apply for a Work Permit

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you filed a claim for refugee protection in Canada and you meet these conditions:

your claim has been found eligible, and you’re waiting for the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to decide on your claim
you cannot pay for your basic needs without working
you have valid immigration medical exam results
you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit

Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

To get a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you have to complete an application. You also need to collect some documents to submit with your application. You can submit your application in one of the following ways:

Online
By mail
In-person

As a refugee claimant, you do not need to pay a fee to apply for a work permit or a SIN.

Settlement agencies can help you apply for a work permit or a SIN. To find a settlement agency in your area, go to Services Near Me.

As a refugee claimant, you will get a SIN with an expiration date. These SINs start with 9.

Can I work if my permit expires?

Yes, if you applied to extend or change your work permit before your work permit expired, you:

have maintained your status
are authorized to work until we finalize your application

If your employer needs proof you can keep working, there are documents you can show them.

For More Information

Refugee claimants: Know your rights - Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Social Insurance Number - Information about Social Insurance Number (SIN). From Service Canada.
Refugees and asylum - Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada about how refugees come to Canada and how the system works.
IRCC Help Centre - A tool that helps answer frequently asked questions on immigration matters. It offers several ways of searching through the information available, including search by keyword. From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Refugee Law on Steps to Justice – Detailed information about making a refugee claim, what services are available to refugee claimants and where to find legal help.