📝 Who Can Get an Open Work Permit as the Spouse of an International Student in Canada?

If you are married to or in a common-law relationship with an international student in Canada, you may be eligible for an Open Work Permit (OWP). This work permit allows you to work for most employers across most industries in Canada and can be issued for the same duration as your partner’s study permit.

✅ Who is Eligible?

You may qualify for an OWP if your spouse or common-law partner is enrolled in one of the following programs:

• Doctoral programs 🎓

• Master’s programs (16 months or longer)

• Professional programs, including:

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)

  • Law degrees (LLB, JD, BCL)

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD)

  • Doctor of Optometry (OD)

  • Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

  • Nursing degrees (BScN, BSN, BNSc, BN)

  • Bachelor of Education (BEd)

  • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)

Additionally, your spouse must be medically and criminally admissible to Canada.

⚠️ Note: Spousal work permits cannot be issued for longer than the student’s study permit and cannot be extended if the student is in their final semester.

💑 Who Counts as a Spouse?

• Legally married anywhere in the world ✅

• Common-law partners: couples who have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months, with only minimal temporary separations.

📚 Additional Eligible Programs

Certain programs have special eligibility periods:

Program	Province	Eligibility Start
Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)	Outside Quebec	Aug 26, 2024
Recognition of Internationally Recruited Nurses	Quebec	Apr 30, 2024
Recognition of Foreign-Trained Respiratory Therapists	Quebec	Jan 21, 2025
Recruitment & Recognition of Medical Laboratory Technologists	Quebec	Jan 21, 2025
Supervised Practice Experience Partnership	Ontario	Jan 21, 2025
Nurse Re-Entry (Red River College)	Manitoba	Jan 21, 2025
Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (UBC)	British Columbia	Jan 21, 2025
Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3)	British Columbia	Jan 21, 2025
Post-Degree Diploma: Nursing Practice in Canada (Langara College)	British Columbia	Jan 21, 2025

🛠 How to Apply

To apply for an open work permit as a spouse:

1. Read the IRCC instruction guide to complete your application correctly.

2. Use the IRCC document checklist tool to know which documents are required.

3. Create or sign in to your IRCC online account.

4. Pay the application fees and submit your application online 💳.

Required documents include:

• Proof of full-time enrollment at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI), such as:

  • Letter of enrollment 🏫

  • Current transcripts

• A copy of the student’s study permit

🔄 Extending an Open Work Permit

Spouses or common-law partners may extend their OWP if:

• The student has a valid study permit

• The student is physically present in Canada while studying

• The student is enrolled full-time in a PGWP-eligible program at a DLI

• The student is not in the final term of their program

If you’re considering applying, make sure your documents are complete and up-to-date ✅. An open work permit can be a great way to work in Canada while supporting your partner’s studies! Book a consultation now!

📝 Who Can Get an Open Work Permit as the Spouse of an International Student in Canada?