Key changes include:
- Spouses/partners of international students in master’s programs that are less than 16 months are no longer eligible.
- Spouses/partners of international students in admissible health study programs are now eligible.
- Spouses/partners of low-skilled foreign workers (TEER 4 or 5 occupations) are no longer eligible.
- High-skilled foreign workers under TEER 2 or 3 occupations need to work in specific occupations for their spouses/partners to be eligible (see list below).
- High-skilled foreign workers under TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations need to have their work permit valid for at least 16 months for their spouses/partners to be eligible.
- Dependent children are no longer eligible for family OWPs.
- Current approved permits remain valid, and renewals can be requested under existing criteria.
- Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residence will not be impacted by these changes.
The Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) allows spouses or common-law partners of certain individuals to work in Canada for any employer in any occupation, providing flexibility to support their family financially during their temporary stay in Canada.
Spousal Open Work Permit – Overview
The Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) is designed to facilitate family reunification and economic integration, enabling spouses and partners to contribute to the Canadian workforce. The SOWP is available under specific conditions for spouses/partners of international students, temporary foreign workers, and Canadian citizens or permanent residents undergoing family sponsorship.
Spousal Open Work Permit – Eligibility
The Spousal Open Work Permit has multiple eligibility categories, each with its specific requirements detailed in the sub-sections below:
- Spouse/Partner of International Student
- Spouse/Partner of High-Skilled Foreign Worker
- Spouse/Partner of Low-Skilled Foreign Worker
- Spouse/Partner of Economic Permanent Residence Program Applicant
- Spouse/Partner of Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) Holders residing outside Quebec
- Spouse/Partner of Free Trade Agreements Business Persons
- Spouse/Partner of Canadian Citizen & Permanent Resident
Spouse/Partner of International Student
The spouse or common-law partner of an international student may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if the international student has a valid study permit and is either:
Studying in a master’s degree of 16 months or longer program.
Studying in a doctoral degree program.
Participating in an eligible program:
Outside of Québec: Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.
Québec: “Projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’infirmières et d’infirmiers recruté-e-s à l’international“.
- Québec: “Projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’inhalothérapeutes formés à l’étranger“
- Québec: “Projet de recrutement et reconnaissance des compétences de technologistes médicaux formés à l’étranger“
- Ontario: Supervised Practice Experience Partnership
- Manitoba: Nurse Re-Entry (Red River College Polytechnic)
- British Columbia: Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (The University of British Columbia)
- British Columbia: Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) (The University of British Columbia)
- British Columbia: Post-Degree Diploma: Nursing Practice in Canada (Langara College)
Studying in one of the following professional degree programs at a university:
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)
The spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to extend their existing Open Work Permit if the international student:
- has a valid study permit,
- is physically in Canada or will physically be in Canada while studying,
- is a full-time student enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program at a designated learning institution (DLI), and
- is not in the last term of their study program.
The Open Work Permit cannot be extended beyond the expiration date of the international student’s study permit.
Spouse/Partner of High-Skilled Foreign Worker
The spouse or common-law partner of a high-skilled foreign worker may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if the foreign worker:
- has a valid work permit, an approval for a work permit that hasn’t been issued yet (port of entry letter of introduction), or an authorization to work without a work permit,
- has a work permit or authorized work that is valid for at least 16 months,
- is living or plans to live in Canada while working, and
- is employed or will be employed in a high-skilled occupation (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system), either in:
- Any TEER category 0 or 1 occupation,
- An eligible TEER category 2 or 3 occupation.
TEER 2 Eligible High-Skilled Occupations
- NOC 22100 – Chemical technologists and technicians
- NOC 22101 – Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
- NOC 22110 – Biological technologists and technicians
- NOC 22111 – Agricultural and fish products inspectors
- NOC 22112 – Forestry technologists and technicians
- NOC 22113 – Conservation and fishery officers
- NOC 22114 – Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
- NOC 22210 – Architectural technologists and technicians
- NOC 22211 – Industrial designers
- NOC 22212 – Drafting technologists and technicians
- NOC 22213 – Land survey technologists and technicians
- NOC 22214 – Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
- NOC 22220 – Computer network and web technicians
- NOC 22221 – User support technicians
- NOC 22222 – Information systems testing technicians
- NOC 22230 – Non-destructive testers and inspectors
- NOC 22231 – Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers
- NOC 22232 – Occupational health and safety specialists
- NOC 22233 – Construction inspectors
- NOC 22300 – Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22301 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- NOC 22303 – Construction estimators
- NOC 22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22311 – Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
- NOC 22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- NOC 22313 – Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
- NOC 32100 – Opticians
- NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- NOC 32102 – Paramedical occupations
- NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- NOC 32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- NOC 32110 – Denturists
- NOC 32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- NOC 32112 – Dental technologists and technicians
- NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
- NOC 32122 – Medical sonographers
- NOC 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- NOC 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
- NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
- NOC 32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
- NOC 32201 – Massage therapists
- NOC 32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing
- NOC 42102 – Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces
- NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
- NOC 72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
- NOC 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- NOC 72012 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
- NOC 72013 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
- NOC 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
- NOC 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
- NOC 72021 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
- NOC 72022 – Supervisors, printing and related occupations
- NOC 72023 – Supervisors, railway transport operations
- NOC 72024 – Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
- NOC 72025 – Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
- NOC 72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- NOC 72101 – Tool and die makers
- NOC 72102 – Sheet metal workers
- NOC 72103 – Boilermakers
- NOC 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
- NOC 72105 – Ironworkers
- NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
- NOC 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
- NOC 72202 – Power system electricians
- NOC 72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers
- NOC 72204 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
- NOC 72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
- NOC 72300 – Plumbers
- NOC 72301 – Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
- NOC 72302 – Gas fitters
- NOC 72310 – Carpenters
- NOC 72311 – Cabinetmakers
- NOC 72320 – Bricklayers
- NOC 72321 – Insulators
- NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- NOC 72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- NOC 72403 – Railway carmen/women
- NOC 72404 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- NOC 72405 – Machine fitters
- NOC 72406 – Elevator constructors and mechanics
- NOC 72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
- NOC 72411 – Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators
- NOC 72420 – Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
- NOC 72421 – Appliance servicers and repairers
- NOC 72422 – Electrical mechanics
- NOC 72423 – Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
- NOC 72429 – Other small engine and small equipment repairers
- NOC 72500 – Crane operators
- NOC 72501 – Water well drillers
- NOC 72600 – Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
- NOC 72601 – Air traffic controllers and related occupations
- NOC 72602 – Deck officers, water transport
- NOC 72603 – Engineer officers, water transport
- NOC 72604 – Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
- NOC 72999 – Other technical trades and related occupations
- NOC 82010 – Supervisors, logging and forestry
- NOC 82020 – Supervisors, mining and quarrying
- NOC 82021 – Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
- NOC 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- NOC 82031 – Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
TEER 3 Eligible High-Skilled Occupations
- NOC 33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- NOC 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- NOC 43204 – Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces
- NOC 53200 – Athletes
- NOC 53201 – Coaches
- NOC 73100 – Concrete finishers
- NOC 73101 – Tilesetters
- NOC 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
- NOC 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
- NOC 73111 – Glaziers
- NOC 73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- NOC 73113 – Floor covering installers
- NOC 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
- NOC 73201 – General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
- NOC 73202 – Pest controllers and fumigators
- NOC 73209 – Other repairers and servicers
- NOC 73300 – Transport truck drivers
- NOC 73301 – Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
- NOC 73310 – Railway and yard locomotive engineers
- NOC 73311 – Railway conductors and brakemen/women
- NOC 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
- NOC 73401 – Printing press operators
- NOC 73402 – Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
- NOC 83100 – Underground production and development miners
- NOC 83101 – Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
- NOC 83110 – Logging machinery operators
- NOC 83120 – Fishing masters and officers
- NOC 83121 – Fishermen/women
- Is an international student working off-campus without a work permit.
- Is an international student who’s working in a co-op program.
- Is applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) but has not received a positive decision on their application at the time the decision on the family members’ application is made.
- Holds a Spousal Open Work Permit.
- Has made a refugee claim that was referred to the Immigration Refugee Board.
- Is subject to an unenforceable removal order.
If in Canada, the spouse/partner must either (i) have valid temporary resident status, (ii) have applied to extend their status before it expired (maintained status), or are eligible for restoration of their status as a visitor, student or worker.
The spouse/partner of a high-skilled foreign worker that is no longer eligible after January 21, 2025 may apply to extend their open work permit under the previous eligibility requirement if (i) they are in Canada, (ii) their current work permit is valid for a shorter period of time than the high-skilled foreign worker, and (iii) they apply to extend their work permit before their initial work permit expires.
The Open Work Permit cannot be extended beyond the expiration date of the high-skilled foreign worker’s work permit.
Spouse/Partner of Low-Skilled Foreign Worker
The spouse or common-law partner of a low-skilled foreign worker (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 4 or 5 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system) is no longer eligible for an Open Work Permit since January 21, 2025.
The spouse/partner may apply to extend their open work permit, even after January 21, 2025, if (i) they are in Canada, (ii) their current work permit is valid for a shorter period of time than the low-skilled foreign worker, and (iii) they apply to extend their work permit before their initial work permit expires.
The Open Work Permit cannot be extended beyond the expiration date of the low-skilled foreign worker’s work permit.
Spouse/Partner of Economic Permanent Residence Program Applicant
The spouse or common-law partner of an economic permanent residence program foreign worker applicant may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if the foreign worker applicant:
- Holds a valid work permit or are approved for a work permit (employer-specific or open under a non-family category),
- Lives and works in Canada or plans to live and work in Canada, and
- Has their work permit issued or approved because they applied for an economic class permanent residence program:
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Class
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class
- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Program
- Home Child-Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot (applicants who met the 12-month work experience requirement) or Caring for Children Class or Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class (before June 18, 2019)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Economic Classes
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program
- Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program
- Start-up business class
The foreign worker’s work permit or authorization to work must be valid for at least 6 months.
Spouse/Partner of Foreign Worker on a Permanent Residence Pathway
The spouse or common-law partner of a foreign worker on a permanent residence pathway may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if the foreign worker applicant:
- has a valid work permit, an approval for a work permit that hasn’t been issued yet (port of entry letter of introduction), or an authorization to work without a work permit,
- Lives and works in Canada or plans to live and work in Canada,
- is employed or will be employed in a occupation in Canada (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system), and
- Is on a pathway to permanent residence through one of the eligible streams below, but have not yet applied for permanent residence:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Provincial business candidates or Quebec self-employed applicants approved for a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) seeking eventual permanent residence
- Quebec investors
- CSQ holders currently in Quebec
- Start-up business class
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Yukon Community Pilot
The foreign worker’s work permit or authorization to work must be valid for at least 6 months.
Spouse/Partner of Free Trade Agreements Business Persons
The spouse or common-law partner of a Business Person (as defined in the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Canada) may be eligible for an open work permit.
Only the following FTAs contain provisions for spouses or common-law partners:
- Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCOFTA) – Only spouses or common-law partners of Investors, Traders, Intra-Company Transferees, Professionals, or Technicians can be eligible.
- Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) – Only spouses or common-law partners of Investors, Traders, Intra-Company Transferees, or Professionals can be eligible.
- Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) – Only spouses or common-law partners of Intra-Company Transferees can be eligible.
- Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (CUKTCA) – Only spouses or common-law partners of Intra-Company Transferees can be eligible.
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – Only spouses or common-law partners of Professionals or Technicians can be eligible (the Professional or Technician must be a citizen of Australia, Chile, Japan or Mexico, or a permanent resident of Australia).
Spouse/Partner of Canadian Citizen & Permanent Resident
The spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if they meet specific conditions. To qualify, the spouse/partner must:
Be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with their sponsor.
Reside in Canada alongside their sponsoring partner.
Be included as part of a sponsorship application for permanent residence (inland sponsorship only, not outland) and
have received the acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) if they have valid temporary resident status in Canada (visitor, student, or worker), or
- have received the approval in principle letter if they do not valid temporary resident status in Canada.
The Open Work Permit allows the spouse/partner to work while their sponsorship application is being processed, ensuring financial stability during the waiting period.
Spousal Open Work Permit – How to Apply
In most cases, if you want to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit, you will need to apply online. You must have a debit/credit card to pay the fees and a camera/scanner to make electronic copies of your documents.
In certain exceptional cases (handicap, barrier that prevents from applying online, …), you can apply on paper.
Spousal Open Work Permit – Application Fees
Spousal Open Work Permit – Processing Times
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a target service standard of processing:
- 80% of initial work permit applications submitted outside Canada within 60 days.
- 80% of work permit extension applications submitted inside Canada within 120 days.
According to the annual data published in December 2025 – From April 2024 to March 2025, IRCC processed:
- 72% of initial work permit applications submitted outside Canada within the 60-day standard.
- 75% of work permit extension applications submitted outside Canada within the 120-day standard.
You can check the current average processing times for a Spousal Open Work Permit here. You need to select “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)”, then “Work permit (from outside Canada)” or “Work permit from inside Canada (initial and extension)”.
Spousal Open Work Permit – FAQ
1. Can I apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit from outside Canada?
Yes, spouses of international students and foreign workers can apply from outside Canada. However, spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents must be residing in Canada to qualify for the SOWP under the Inland Sponsorship Program.
2. Can I renew my Spousal Open Work Permit?
Yes, you can renew your work permit if you are still eligible and the principal applicant’s permit is extended, or if the sponsorship application is still in process.
3. Can I study in Canada with a Spousal Open Work Permit?
While the SOWP allows you to work, it does not automatically grant you the right to study. You would need to apply for a separate study permit if you wish to pursue education in Canada.
4. Is a job offer required to apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit?
No, a job offer or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not required for a SOWP, as it is an open work permit.
5. How long is the Spousal Open Work Permit valid?
The validity of the permit aligns with the principal applicant’s study or work permit or the duration of the sponsorship application processing.
6. What happens to my Spousal Open Work Permit application if my relationship ends
If your relationship ends while your application is still in process, you must notify IRCC of your updated relationship status. This may affect your eligibility for the permit. However, if your permit has already been issued, it remains valid until its expiration, regardless of changes in your relationship status.
7. How to move from a Spousal Open Work Permit to Permanent Residence?
There are several pathways for individuals working in Canada on a Spousal Open Work Permit to transition to permanent residence. The specific options depend on your circumstances, such as your work experience, education, and other factors. Consider seeking professional advice.
8. Can I remain in Canada while waiting for my Spousal Open Work Permit application to process if my status expires?
Yes, if you applied for your Spousal Open Work Permit application before your temporary status expired (visitor, student, or worker), you will have maintained (implied) status. This allows you to stay in Canada under the same conditions as your expired status until a decision is made on your application.
You must stay in Canada to maintain your maintained (implied) status. The moment you leave Canada, you no longer have maintained (implied) status, and you will not be allowed to enter based on your expired visitor record, study permit or work permit.
9. What are common reasons for Spousal Open Work Permit refusals?
Some frequent refusal reasons include:
For a SOWP application as the spouse/partner of a student, insufficient proof of the student’s enrolment in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Lack of financial documentation demonstrating sufficient funds.
For a SOWP application as the spouse/partner of a foreign worker, missing proof of the Foreign Worker’s employment.
Insufficient ties to the applicant’s home country.
Lack of evidence supporting the authenticity of the relationship.
Addressing these issues thoroughly can help avoid refusals.
10. What to do if my Spousal Open Work Permit application is denied?
If your application is refused, you may be eligible to reapply. Ensure that you address the reasons for refusal by submitting additional documentation or correcting any issues from your initial submission. Consulting with an immigration expert can help improve your chances of approval.
