If you are an international student and want to bring your spouse or Common-Law Partner to Canada, they may be eligible for an spousal open work permit. It also allows them to work full-time on or off-campus while you study.
An open work permit is a non-job-specific work permit. Once your spouse or CLP has a Spouse Open Work Permit, they will be eligible to work for any employer. Work permits will generally be valid for the same period as your study permit. In some cases, your spouse or CLP may need to undergo a medical examination. If the Canadian Government has required your spouse to undergo a medical examination as part of your Work permit application, you must provide proof of this (i.e. a receipt) as an additional document.
The main requirement for obtaining an open work permit for your spouse or common-law partner is purely economic.
To be eligible to sponsor your spouse, you must be able to financially support the sponsored person and ensure they will not require social assistance from the Canadian government before they can legally work in Canada.
Who Can Apply for SOWP?
If you are a full-time international student with a valid work permit, your spouse or CLP can apply for an open work permit. Your spouse/CLP will not need to submit a job offer to apply.
In general, processing your spouse’s open work permit application will take between 1 and 4 months. If the spouse is already in Canada, they cannot work until the open work permit is obtained. Processing times vary by volume and time of year.