If you’re a spouse or family member of someone working or studying temporarily in Canada, you may be eligible for an open work permit. The person being sponsored under Spousal Sponsorship class may be eligible for an Open Work Permit as well, authorizing them to work for any organization in Canada while the sponsorship application is being processed.

Eligibility Criteria for spouse of someone working or studying temporarily in Canada

• spouse of a skilled worker in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B
• spouse of someone accepted for the Atlantic Immigration Program in a job under NOC 0, A, B or C
• spouse of a foreign student at a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university or collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec
• spouse of a foreign representative, or
• spouse of a foreign military member who is working in Canada

Eligibility Criteria for spouse being sponsored under Spousal Sponsorship class

If your spouse or common-law partner is living in Canada with you and is applying as a member of the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada class, they can also apply for an open work permit at the same time they apply for permanent residence.

If your spouse or common-law partner has already submitted an application for permanent residence but hasn’t applied for an open work permit, they can submit a completed Application to Change Conditions.