Spousal open work permit: who qualifies since 2025-01-21

• The worker is in a TEER 0 (management) or TEER 1 (professional) job, or a TEER 2 or 3 job IRCC lists by NOC code.
• The worker's permit is valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse's application.
• The worker lives, or plans to live, in Canada while working.
• Since 2025-01-21, the worker's dependent children are no longer eligible.

Some programs have their own rules, such as workers under free trade agreements; the occupation list and exceptions are on IRCC: Who can apply.

Since 2025-01-21, the student must hold a valid study permit and be in one of:

• a master's degree program of 16 months or longer;
• a doctoral degree program;
• a listed professional degree: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD), Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Optometry (OD), Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc, BN), Bachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc).

Students in eligible pilot programs have their own rules.

• A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner living in Canada who is being sponsored for permanent residence;
• in a genuine relationship with the sponsor and living in Canada with them;
• included in a permanent residence application with an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR); apply for the work permit once you have the AOR;
• an accompanying dependent child of the principal applicant, living with the principal applicant and the sponsor, can also apply.

Sponsorship details are on the family sponsorship page.

• Proof of the relationship: a marriage certificate, or a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409).
• Spouses of workers: a letter from the worker's current employer with the occupation, duties and NOC or TEER category, or the worker's letter of offer of employment.

Apply online through your IRCC account. Details are on the work permit page.