Spousal Open Work Permit Canada: Current Eligibility

A spousal open work permit may let an eligible spouse or common-law partner work for most employers without an LMIA or a specific job offer. Eligibility comes from a defined immigration category; marriage or partnership alone is not enough.

The rules differ for family members of international students, foreign workers and permanent residence applicants. The correct category and current principal-applicant requirements must be identified first.

Eligibility depends on the principal worker’s permit or work authorization, its remaining validity, and the occupation or other qualifying category. Current rules generally focus on workers in TEER 0 or 1 and selected TEER 2 or 3 occupations, with specific exceptions and special measures.

For many applications, the principal worker’s authorization must remain valid for at least 16 months when IRCC receives the spouse’s application. Always confirm the current occupation list and exceptions.

An approved open permit generally permits work for most employers, but restrictions can apply to particular employers or occupations, especially when medical requirements have not been met.

The validity period may be limited by the principal applicant’s authorization, the spouse’s passport or program-specific rules.

Documents vary according to the principal applicant’s category.

• Applicant passport and status documents.
• Marriage certificate or common-law evidence.
• Principal applicant’s study or work permit.
• Enrolment letter, transcript or program details for student cases.
• Employment letter, job duties, NOC and pay records for worker cases.
• PR acknowledgement or sponsorship evidence where applicable.
• Photographs and digital application forms.
• Medical examination evidence where needed for intended work.
• Explanations for status, refusal or relationship-history issues.