Spousal Open Work Permit for the Spouse/Common-Law Partner of a Student

The spouses and common-law partners of some international students may be eligible for an open work permit. An open work permit lets them work for any employer in Canada, except for one that either

is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages

Please check "Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada" for more information regarding "Who can apply" and "How to apply".

Effective January 21, 2025, only spouses of certain international students will be able to apply for an open work permit.

Open work permit will be limited to spouses of international students who are enrolled in

master’s programs that are 16 months or longer
doctoral programs, or
select professional and eligible programs

More information can be found on the IRCC website.

Spousal Open Work Permit for the Spouse/Common-Law Partner of a PGWP Applicant/Holder

Family members of most foreign workers can apply for an open work permit.

An open work permit lets your family member work for any employer in Canada, except for one that

is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages

Please check "Open work permits for family members of foreign workers" for more information about "Who can apply", "When you can apply", "How to apply" and "How IRCC processes your application".

Effective January 21, 2025, only spouses of certain foreign workers will be able to apply for an open work permit.

An Open work permit will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in the following:

TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or
select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities
- These include occupations in the natural and applied sciences, construction, health care, natural resources, education, sports and military sectors. The full list will be available on January 21, 2025.
the foreign worker must also have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time when their spouse applies for the open work permit

Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible.

More information can be found on the IRCC website.