Spousal Work Permit For Canada
The term spouse refers to a person of either sex who is legally married, either of the same sex or a person who was married and has since become divorced. When applying for a spousal work permit, it is not necessary for the couple to be residing together in Canada.
If you are married to a Canadian citizen, you might be interested in any number of Canadian immigration programs. One in particular that makes it worth your while is the spousal work permit for Canada, which allows you to legally reside and work in Canada if you meet the following requirements: 1) You must be a permanent resident of Canada; 2) You must be legally married in order to apply for a spousal work permit; 3) You and your spouse must already have been working or studying in Canada at the time of your marriage; 4) Your spouse must currently be a Canadian citizen as well; and 5) You and your spouse must also have filed an application for sponsorship with the Canadian authorities by submitting all the documents required under this program.
Spousal Work Permit For Canada
A work permit, or a work permit for Canada as it is more often called, is allowing for an individual who is married to a Canadian citizen to come to Canada and work. This requires that the applicant have certain number of skills that are in high demand in the Canadian labor market.
Spouses or common-law partners of people who are eligible for a Canada PR may come to Canada to find work. This is possible if you have a valid job offer from an eligible Canadian employer and you meet certain requirements before entry.
Work permit for spouse/partner
HELPFUL LINKS
- Find a physician for your medical exam
- Prepare for work in Canada
- Get your credentials assessed
- Immigrant services in the Halifax area
HELPFUL GUIDES
Download these pdf guides to help you fill out your Spousal Work Permit application forms and help answer the online eligibility questionaire
- Spousal Work Permit IMM5710 form guide (91KB)
- Spousal Work Permit Eligibility Questionaire Guide (120KB)
If you are an international student bringing your spouse or partner with you to Canada, they may be eligible for an open work permit that will allow them to work on or off campus full-time while you study.
An open work permit is a work permit that is not job-specific. It allows your spouse or common-law partner to accept any job with any employer. If your spouse or partner gets an open work permit, it is normally valid for the same period as your study permits. In some cases, your spouse or common-law partner will need a medical exam.
Who is eligible?
If you are an international student studying full-time and have a valid study permit, your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit. Your spouse/partner will not require a job offer to apply, and his/her permit will be valid for the same period as your study permit.
When should you apply?
Your spouse/partner can apply for a work permit before or after they arrive in Canada. The work permit will usually be issued for the same length of time as your study permit. Your spouse/partner does not need a job offer to apply for a work permit.
In some cases, Canadian visa offices abroad will process spouse/partner work permit applications at the same time as study permit applications. In this case, you will need to include the additional fee for the work permit and complete the work permit application for your spouse/partner, available from the website of the consulate.
Most spouse/partners come to Canada as visitors first and apply for a work permit after they are in Canada. If your spouse or partner does not require a TRV, they may be able to apply for a work permit at the border or airport where they enter Canada.
HOW TO APPLY ONLINE
Step 1: Log into my IRCC through GCKey or Sign-in partner
Step 2: Click on ‘Apply for visitor visa or study/work permit’
Step 3: Fill in the online application form and gather supporting documentation
Step 4: Pay the application fee
Work Permit Conditions
Work permits issued by IRCC may be subject to restrictions. International students who were not required to undergo an immigration medical examination before coming to Canada may be subject to the following occupation/workplace restrictions that require an immigration medical examination:
- health care setting
- child care
- primary and secondary educational facilities