Spousal, Common-law, or Conjugal Sponsorship Canada
Spousal Sponsorship Open Work Permit in Canada
A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner who is living in Canada and being sponsored for permanent residence may be eligible for an open work permit while the PR application is being processed.
In most cases, the sponsored person applies after IRCC confirms the permanent residence application is complete and issues the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
Living in CanadaThe sponsored spouse/partner must be living in Canada with the sponsor.
AOR Normally RequiredIRCC must normally confirm that the PR application is complete.
Open Work PermitAllows work for most employers after the permit is approved.
$255Current work permit + open work permit holder fees, before biometrics if required.
Who Can Apply?
Sponsored Spouse or Partner
- Be a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner being sponsored for permanent residence
- Be in a genuine relationship with the sponsor
- Be included in a permanent residence application
- Normally have an AOR confirming the PR application is being processed
- Be living in Canada with the sponsor
Temporary Status
The applicant can qualify while holding or preserving eligible temporary status, including:
- Valid visitor, worker or student status
- Maintained temporary resident status
- Eligible restoration of visitor, worker or student status
An accompanying dependent child of the principal sponsored applicant may also qualify for an open work permit if the current IRCC requirements are met.
Can You Apply Before Receiving the AOR?
Normally, wait for the AOR. However, IRCC allows a sponsored spouse/partner to apply without the AOR if their work permit, study permit or temporary resident status will expire in 2 weeks or less and the permanent residence application has already been submitted under an eligible spousal sponsorship class.
In that situation, proof that the PR application was submitted and proof of current temporary status must be included with the work permit application.
If the Sponsored Spouse Is Out of Status
A spouse or common-law partner may still be sponsored in Canada under the applicable spousal public policy in certain situations involving lack of temporary status.
If the sponsored person does not have valid temporary resident status and is relying on the spousal public policy, they generally must wait until IRCC issues approval in principle before becoming eligible to apply for the open work permit.
IRCC currently instructs qualifying out-of-status applicants with approval in principle to submit the work permit application on paper with the required explanation and approval-in-principle letter.
When Can the Sponsored Spouse Start Working?
If You Already Have a Work Permit
You may continue working under your existing work authorization as long as it remains valid. If you apply to extend your worker status before expiry and meet maintained-status rules, you may be able to continue working under the same conditions while IRCC processes the application.
If You Are a Visitor or Student
Submitting a spousal sponsorship or open work permit application does not by itself authorize work. You must wait until the work permit is approved before starting employment unless you already have separate legal work authorization.
How to Apply
1
Submit Spousal PR
Submit the complete sponsorship and permanent residence application.
2
Receive AOR
IRCC confirms the PR application is complete and provides the application number.
3
Prepare OWP Documents
Include relationship evidence, AOR, status documents and the other items in the personalized checklist.
4
Apply Online
Applicants with valid/maintained/restorable status normally apply through the IRCC secure account.
5
Wait for Approval
Do not begin working unless you already have separate legal work authorization.
6
Check Permit Conditions
After approval, review the expiry date and any medical or occupational restrictions.
Key Documents
- AOR confirming the permanent residence application is complete
- Passport and current temporary status document
- Marriage certificate or common-law evidence
- Family Information form where required
- Proof the applicant is living in Canada with the sponsor
- Proof of PR submission if using the limited no-AOR exception
- Approval-in-principle letter if applying out of status under the applicable public policy
- Additional documents requested by the personalized IRCC checklist
Current Government Fees
Work Permit
$155Current processing feeOpen Permit Fee
$100Open work permit holder feeTotal
$255Before biometrics or restoration fees, if applicableCan the Open Work Permit Be Extended?
IRCC currently allows eligible applicants to extend this open work permit for 2 more years under the public policy if they have received the PR AOR and the permanent residence application is still being processed.
The applicant must still meet the applicable extension and temporary-status requirements when applying.
Important Corrections to the Old SIA Page
- Do not call this an old “pilot program”
- Do not say every applicant can submit the work permit together with PR
- Do not instruct normal applicants to send the application by mail/courier
- Do not say the applicant can work immediately after filing
- AOR is normally required before applying
- Limited no-AOR exception applies when status expires within 2 weeks
- Applicants with valid/maintained/restorable status normally apply online
- Out-of-status applicants relying on the spousal public policy generally wait for approval in principle
Spousal Sponsorship Open Work Permit FAQs
Can I apply for the open work permit as soon as I submit spousal sponsorship?
Normally you apply after IRCC issues the AOR confirming the permanent residence application is complete. A limited exception applies when your temporary status or permit will expire in 2 weeks or less.
Do I have to live with my sponsor?
Yes. Under the current sponsored-spouse open work permit policy, the principal applicant must be living in Canada with the sponsor.
Can I work while waiting for the open work permit?
Only if you already have separate legal work authorization. A visitor or student cannot start working simply because the OWP application was submitted.
Can I apply if I am out of status?
In certain spousal-public-policy situations, yes, but you generally must wait for approval in principle before applying for the open work permit.
How much does the open work permit cost?
The current work permit fee is $155 plus the $100 open work permit holder fee, for a total of $255 before biometrics, restoration or other applicable fees.
Spousal Sponsorship & Work Permit Review
The correct filing time depends on the PR application, AOR, current temporary status and whether the applicant already has work authorization.
Important: Sponsored-spouse open work permit rules, public policies, fees and temporary-status requirements can change. A sponsorship application or OWP application does not itself authorize employment. Current IRCC requirements should be checked before filing or starting work.
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