Spousal Open Work Permit
Spousal Open Work Permit for Spouses of Students in Canada
Spouses or Common-law partners of students engaged in full time studies at a Canadian College or University are eligible to apply for Open Work Permit (C42) if their spouse is a study permit holder studying at eligible Post Secondary Institution without an offer of employment.
Spouses or Common Law Partners of students in Canada who have completed their program of study and have applied for Post Graduation Work Permit before the expiry of their Study Permit are also eligible to apply for Open Work Permit if their spouse or CLP is employed in an occupation in Skill Level 0, A or B.
The Spousal applicant should submit all the supporting documents, including :
- a letter from the principal foreign worker’s current employer confirming employment or a copy of their employment offer or contract; and
- a copy of the principal foreign worker’s last three (3) pay slips
Validity
Work permits may be issued with a validity date to coincide with the spouse’s study permit/Post Graduation Work Permit
Spousal Open Work Permit for Spouses of Workers in Canada
Dependent spouses or Common-law Partners (CLP) of Workers in Canada are also eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit (C-41), if their spouse or CLP :
- holds a work permit that is valid for a period of at least 6 months, or, if working under the authority of section R186 without a work permit, presents evidence that they will be working for a minimum of 6 months
- is employed in an occupation that falls within National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill levels A or B (which generally include management and professional occupations and technical or skilled trades
- physically resides or plans to physically reside in Canada while working
Validity
The spouse’s or common-law partner’s work permit may be issued for a period that ends no later than the work permit of the principal foreign worker, or for the duration of employment of the principal worker, authorized as per section R186
