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Spouse Open Work Permit

Eligibility

If you’re applying for a work permit and your family members want to come to Canada, they must also apply to visit, or to work or study in Canada. They can apply at the same time as you.

If they plan to work in Canada

In some cases, your spouse or common-law partner may be able to apply for an open work permit that will let them work for any employer.

Document Checklist

  • Application of Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM5710)

  • Photocopies of passport pages

  • Photocopies of your travel or identity document

  • Photocopy of your current immigration document

  • Photocopy of your Marriage License or Certificate 

  • If you are the dependant of another applicant, provide the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) of your family member who is the primary applicant

  • Proof of payment

  • If you are the spouse or the common law partner of an open work permit holder i.e. post graduate work permit, working holiday work permit, bridging open work permit holder under federal skilled worker class, federal skilled trades class or caregiver class, please provide:

    • A letter or a copy of the offer of employment or contract from the primary foreign worker’s current employer confirming employment in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B, for federal skilled trades class NOC B

    • A copy of the primary foreign worker’s last three pay stubs

    • A copy of the primary foreign worker’s open work permit

  • If you are a spouse or common law partner of an open work permit holder i.e. Canadian experience class or provincial nominee class(irrespective of the NOC skill type of the principle applicant’s occupation), please provide:

    • A copy of the primary foreign worker’s open work permit

  • If you are the spouse or common law partner of a skilled worker who holds a work permit or is authorized to work without work permit under R186, please provide:

    • A letter or a copy of the offer of employment or contract from the primary foreign worker’s current employer confirming employment in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification(NOC) skill type 0, A or B.

    • A copy of the primary foreign worker’s work permit

    • Evidence that the primary foreign worker physically resides or plans to reside in Canada while working

  • If your are the spouse or common law partner of a student who holds study permit, please provide:

    • Evidence such as a valid enrollment letter showing the student is engaged in full-time studies at a Canadian:

      • Public post-secondary institution

      • Private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public post-secondary institution in Quebec

      • Private or public secondary or post-secondary institution (in Quebec) offering a vocational program

      • Private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees

  • A copy of the student’s study permit

  • Two Photo meeting the requirements of the Visa application photograph specifications, link. On the back of the two photos, write your name and date of birth.

 

Processing Time

Online: 166 Days

Paper: 101 Days

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