How to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit

An open work permit is not job-specific. If your spouse/common-law partner is an open work permit holder, he/she is allowed to accept any job with any employer.

A lot of foreign nationals desiring to arrive with their spouses/partners in Canada usually wonder about how to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit in Canada in 2023.

If you are an international student wanting to bring your spouse or common-law partner to Canada, they may be eligible for an open work permit that will permit them to work on and off-campus while you study. The validity of an open work permit is for the same period as your study permit usually.

Your common-law partner and spouse is going to need a medical exam in some cases. Before asking about how to apply for a spousal open work permit in Canada, you need to check whether your partner/spouse is eligible for a work permit or not first.

Eligibility

If you are an international student studying full-time and also hold a valid study permit, your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit. Your spouse/common-law partner will not require a job offer and his/her permit will be valid for the same period as your study permit. Now after knowing about the eligibility we should proceed ahead to know more about how to apply for a spousal open work permit in Canada.

When your spouse/partner should apply for a work permit?

Your spouse can apply for a work permit after arriving in Canada or before that. The work permit is usually issued to your spouse for the same period as your study permit. For a work permit, a job offer is not needed by your partner/ spouse.

Canadian visa offices abroad will process the applications for partner/spouse work permit at the same time as study permit applications in some cases. In this case, an additional fee will be needed to be included for the work permit and you should complete the application for a work permit for your spouse/partner which is available from the consulate’s website.

Most spouses/partners arrive in Canada as visitors first and later apply for a work permit. Your spouse/partner may be able to apply for a work permit at the airport or border where they enter Canada if a TRV is not required by your spouse or partner. “When to apply” is also important to know along with how to apply for a spousal open work permit in Canada online.

How to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit in Canada Online?

One must need to know about Open Work Permit Canada Requirements 2023 before applying for the permit.

1. IRCC Log in Through GCKey or Sign-in Partner

If you are a new user, you will need to register for Sign-in Partner or MyCIC through GCKey. Your Client ID from your Study Permit is required for completing the registration.

2. Click on the link ‘Apply for visitor visa or study/work permit’

You will be asked about a personal checklist code. If you do not already have the code, click on “Determine your Eligibility” and answer all the questions that follow.

3. Fill the application form online and collect supporting documentation

You can validate and save the form as an unsigned copy after completing IMM 5710 application form. English or French translated marriage license/certificate, your spouse’s study permit and passport (only pages with stamps, visas, and photo), digital photo (420 × 540) pixels are to be collected. All the relevant documents should be saved digitally in the form of a pdf file that is not larger than 4 MB.

4. Pay the Fee

Print a receipt after paying $255 CAD online with a credit card (American Express, VISA, and MasterCard).

Conditions for the Work Permit

IRCC-issued work permits may be subjected to restrictions. International students may be subjected to such workplace/occupation restrictions that require an immigration medical examination who were not required to undergo an immigration medical exam before coming to Canada. Childcare, healthcare setting, and primary and secondary education facilities are examples of such workplace/occupation restrictions.

You are ready to arrive in Canada with your spouse after clarifying every detail about work permit conditions, when, and how to apply for a spousal open work permit in Canada.