Open Work Permit For Spouse Of International Student In Canada
The open work permit for spouse of international students in Canada has been a great news for foreign students. They can now apply for the open work permit for their spouse if they are studying in Canada under an international student visa. This open work permit is available to those who have completed their 4th year at universities, colleges and other learning institutions in Canada.
The Canadian government has made it easier for the spouse of an international student to stay in Canada on an Open Work Permit. Find out how this new program works, how to get it and why it’s important.
Open Work Permit For Spouse Of International Student In Canada
A common question international students in Canada ask me is whether their foreign spouses can work in Canada. The good news is that, for certain streams of the Canadian Federal Skilled Trades program, a spouse’s open work permit (OWP) may be available to your partner. This falls into the Spousal Relocation provisions of the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
What are Open Work Permits?
Open work permits allow you to work for almost any employer in Canada. This is important because when your spouse /common-law partner comes to Canada to work on a temporary work permit, he/she doesn’t yet have a job offer. This work permit may be valid for different lengths based on the employer and the circumstances around the applicant’s employment.
Open Work Permit for International Student’s Spouse
Since, open work permit isn’t job-specific so it’s also applicable for international students in the post-graduate work program or the spouse of an international student.
International students can apply for their spouse to get an open work permit if they:
- Possess a valid study permit.
- Are a full-time student studying at a public university or college, a private college in Quebec, or a Canadian private school that can award degrees.
Spouse Open Work Permit Validity: The open work permits issued to spouses of international students typically have the same validity length as their partners’ study permits.
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Steps to Apply for Spousal Open Work Permit
These are the steps to apply for an open work Permit for spouse of international student in Canada.
1. Start an Online Application for a Work Permit
The student can visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and start an application for a work permit. They can then download the application package and fill out the IMM 5710 form included in it.
2. Gather the Required Documents
Next, international students must gather documents specified in the Document Checklist from the application package. These documents include:
- Digital photos of their spouse
- Copies of their spouse’s passport
- A copy of their study permit
- A copy of their marriage license or certificate
3. Pay the Application Fee and Submit the Application
The applicant must then pay their $255 CAD application fee online. They must then print a receipt for this payment and include it with their application before submitting it.
IRCC may contact the applicant if they require any additional information or documents from their spouse. If the application is approved, the applicant’s spouse will receive their open work permit document in the mail.
How ELAAR can help you?
Prospective international applicants who are interested in applying for Spouse Visa for International Students in Canada should contact our immigration experts. Our exceptional team of Regulated Immigration Consultants understands the requirements and application process for the open work permit and can guide you and your spouse through this process.