Canada Spousal Open Work Permit
Certain spouses and common-law partners of eligible workers and students may be able to obtain an open work permit. Eligibility depends on the status and occupation level of the principal applicant.
General information only. Requirements change. IRCC makes the final decision.
Qualifying principal applicants
The SOWP is available in some situations where the principal is a skilled worker in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation with a valid work permit, or an eligible international student. The specific rules about eligible programs and occupations should be verified from current IRCC policy as these have changed.
What the SOWP allows
The SOWP is an open work permit. The spouse or partner can work for any eligible employer in Canada during the validity period.
Applying
The SOWP application can often be submitted at the same time as the principal applicant's permit or separately. Processing times vary.
What you can expect from a serious review
- A route comparison based on the information provided
- A document and evidence checklist
- Clear decision points
- An explanation of what still needs official verification
- A defined next action
Frequently Asked Questions
Need help deciding what to do next?
Share your goal and a short summary of your situation. We will use it to prepare for an initial discussion. This is not an official immigration assessment.
No result is guaranteed. The value of the review is a clearer route, a better-prepared file and a more informed decision.
