Spouse Open Work Permit
If your spouse is currently working in Canada, or if your spouse or partner has filed to be sponsored for permanent residence in Canada, you may be eligible for an open work visa. These open work permits do not bind the spouse to any particular employer, location, or occupation. The spouse’s work permit will be valid for no more than the length of the principal’s permit.
What exactly is a spouse’s open work permit?
With few restrictions, a spousal open work permit permits the spouse of certain temporary Canadian permit holders to work anywhere in Canada for any employer. If the applicable preconditions are met, common-law partners of skilled workers, full-time students, and principal applicants of specific permanent residence applications may be entitled to work in Canada on an open work visa.
Who is eligible to apply for a spouse open work permit?
A spousal open work permit may be available to people whose spouses have applied to be sponsored by them or whose spouses are in Canada on a study or work visa. Depending on your spouse’s status in Canada, you may need to apply for a spousal open work permit.
Qualifications for a spouse’s work permit and visa
You must fulfil some minimal criteria, such as the following, to be eligible for a spousal open work permit:
- Must be a true partner of a principal applicant who is a qualified foreign national, a permanent resident, or a citizen.
- must be qualified to apply as a sponsored applicant for immigration to Canada or as the spouse of a qualifying foreign national (see above); and
- Are not prohibited from entering Canada by law or a medical condition
- A worker with an LMIA work permit may sponsor their spouse for a Canada work visa.
To sponsor their spouse, workers must hold Knock A/B/O or higher-level jobs.