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Worker Spouse Work Permit
Worker Spouse Open Work Permit Canada
The spouse or common-law partner of certain foreign workers may qualify for an open work permit in Canada. However, eligibility is no longer available to the spouse of every foreign worker.
For many temporary foreign workers who are not already connected to an eligible permanent-residence pathway, the principal worker must now be employed or have qualifying employment in TEER 0, TEER 1, or one of IRCC's specifically selected TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations. For this category, the principal worker's work authorization generally must also remain valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse's application.
Watch: Worker spouse open work permit — overview
What Is a Worker Spouse Open Work Permit?
A worker spouse open work permit (SOWP) can allow an eligible spouse or common-law partner to work for most employers in Canada without being tied to one specific employer.
What an Open Work Permit Allows
- Work for most eligible employers in Canada
- Change employers without obtaining a new employer-specific work permit
- Work in different locations, subject to any conditions printed on the permit
- Work without the spouse's employer obtaining an LMIA for that open work permit
What It Does Not Guarantee
- Approval simply because the principal applicant has a work permit
- Eligibility for every TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupation
- Permanent residence
- A permit beyond the applicable principal-worker authorization, passport or biometric validity
- Permission to work in occupations restricted by medical conditions on the permit
Main Eligibility Categories
Worker Not on an Eligible PR Pathway
This is the category most affected by the January 2025 restriction.
- Principal worker has a valid work permit, approved work permit, or qualifying authorization to work without a permit
- Principal worker lives or plans to live in Canada while working
- Principal worker is employed or will be employed in TEER 0, TEER 1, or an IRCC-selected TEER 2 or 3 occupation
- Principal worker's work authorization normally remains valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse's application
- Spouse/common-law relationship must be genuine
Worker Connected to an Eligible PR Pathway
Different family open-work-permit rules can apply when the principal worker has applied for or is on a recognized pathway to economic permanent residence.
- Eligible federal economic programs and pilots can qualify
- Provincial Nominee Program situations can qualify
- Some TEER 4 or 5 workers can qualify when they are on an eligible PR pathway
- In many PR-linked categories, at least 6 months of principal work authorization is required
- Exact requirements depend on whether PR has already been submitted or the worker is still on a qualifying pathway
Low-Skilled Worker Without Eligible PR Pathway
Since January 21, 2025, family members of a worker employed in a TEER 4 or TEER 5 occupation who is not on an eligible pathway to permanent residence are generally not eligible for a new family open work permit under this measure.
An existing in-Canada spouse permit may still qualify for a limited extension in certain situations.
Which Worker Occupations Can Support a Spouse Open Work Permit?
For a high-skilled temporary worker who is not relying on an eligible PR pathway, IRCC currently uses the following occupation structure:
The 16-Month Work Permit Rule
For a high-skilled worker who is not relying on one of the eligible permanent-residence pathways, the principal worker's work permit or authorized work generally must remain valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse or common-law partner's open work permit application.
Special exceptions exist, including certain foreign-trained health professionals recruited by Quebec and qualifying workers under designated Significant Investment Projects in British Columbia.
Special 2026 Rule: Significant Investment Projects in British Columbia
As of March 23, 2026, IRCC has a special family open work permit measure for certain foreign workers employed under an approved Significant Investment Project (SIP) agreement in British Columbia.
- Principal applicant has a valid work permit or work-permit approval issued under a SIP agreement
- Principal applicant is employed or has a job offer in an occupation at any TEER level
- Principal applicant is or will be living in Canada while employed
- The regular 16-month remaining-validity requirement does not apply under this SIP measure
- Required B.C. provincial support documentation must be provided when applicable
Spouses of PGWP Holders
A Post-Graduation Work Permit by itself does not automatically make the holder's spouse eligible for an open work permit. The PGWP holder must fit the applicable family-open-work-permit rules.
Occupation Still Matters
For the general high-skilled-worker category, the PGWP holder must be working or have qualifying employment in TEER 0, TEER 1, or one of IRCC's selected TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations.
Applying Around the Same Time
IRCC has special document rules where the spouse applies at the same time as the principal applicant's PGWP. However, the principal PGWP application must ultimately receive the required positive decision and the family application must satisfy the applicable worker-category requirements.
Workers on a Pathway to Permanent Residence
Family open work permit rules can be broader when the principal worker is connected to an eligible economic permanent-residence program or provincial pathway.
PR Application Already Submitted
Family members may qualify in certain economic-class PR situations when the principal worker has a qualifying work permit/approval, is living and working or plans to live and work in Canada, and the principal work authorization meets the applicable remaining-validity requirement.
IRCC currently lists programs such as the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program and certain community/pilot programs, among others.
On an Eligible PR Pathway but PR Not Yet Submitted
Some workers—including qualifying TEER 4 or 5 workers—may support family open work permits where they are on an IRCC-listed pathway to permanent residence and meet the program-specific conditions.
The exact qualifying program, work authorization and evidence should be checked before applying.
Situations That Can Make the Spouse Ineligible Under the General Worker Measure
- Principal worker is in TEER 4 or 5 and is not on an eligible PR pathway
- Principal worker's TEER 2 or 3 occupation is not on IRCC's selected list
- Principal worker does not have enough remaining work authorization for the category being used
- Principal worker holds a spousal open work permit and is trying to support another spouse/family OWP under this measure
- Principal applicant is only an international student holding a study permit—student spouse rules are separate
- Principal applicant is applying for a PGWP but the required positive PGWP decision has not been obtained when IRCC assesses the spouse application
- The relationship is not genuine or cannot be adequately documented
- The spouse does not meet general work-permit admissibility/status requirements
If the Spouse Is Already in Canada
The spouse or common-law partner must meet the general requirements for a work permit. Where the spouse applies from inside Canada under this measure, IRCC currently requires the person to be in one of the following situations:
- Have valid temporary resident status
- Have applied to extend status before it expired and have maintained status
- Be eligible to restore status as a visitor, worker or student
Important Supporting Documents
Required documents vary by category, but a worker-spouse application commonly needs evidence covering the relationship, principal worker's legal work authorization, occupation and remaining work-permit validity.
Relationship & Identity
- Marriage certificate for spouses
- Common-law evidence and applicable declaration where required
- Passports and identity documents
- Evidence that the relationship is genuine where appropriate
Principal Worker Evidence
- Work permit or work-permit approval / letter of introduction
- Employer letter showing employment details and occupation
- Job duties and NOC/TEER classification where required
- Job offer where applicable
- PR/AOR or provincial/pathway documents where the application relies on a PR-linked category
- Special-program support letter where applicable
Where Can the Spouse Work?
An approved spouse open work permit generally allows the holder to work for most employers in Canada. However, an open work permit is not completely unrestricted.
Extending an Existing Worker Spouse Open Work Permit
IRCC has a limited extension rule for some family members already in Canada who received a family open work permit before or under the previous measure.
- The family member must be in Canada
- The current family work permit is valid for a shorter period than the principal worker's authorization
- The extension application must be submitted before the current family work permit expires
- IRCC cannot issue the spouse permit beyond the principal worker's authorization
- Passport and biometric validity can also shorten the new permit
Current Government Fees
Work Permit Fee
$155 Current work permit processing feeOpen Work Permit Holder Fee
$100 Additional open work permit holder feeTotal
$255 Before biometrics, restoration or other applicable feesWorker Spouse Open Work Permit Process
Identify the Principal Work Category
Determine whether the worker is high-skilled, PR-linked, low-skilled on a qualifying pathway, under an FTA, a B.C. SIP worker or another special category.
Confirm NOC / TEER Eligibility
For the general high-skilled measure, confirm TEER 0 or 1, or verify the exact TEER 2/3 NOC against IRCC's selected list.
Check Remaining Work Authorization
Confirm whether the applicable category requires 16 months, 6 months or a special exception.
Prepare Relationship Evidence
Provide the marriage/common-law and supporting evidence required to establish a genuine qualifying relationship.
Submit the Correct Application
Apply using the correct IRCC work-permit category and provide the evidence specific to the principal worker's situation.
Review Permit Conditions
After approval, check the expiry date, medical restrictions and other conditions before beginning employment.
What Must Change From the Current SIA Page
Too Broad / Outdated
- “Spouses of skilled workers may be eligible” without explaining the new occupational restriction
- Any implication that every TEER 0–3 foreign worker can support a spouse OWP
- Any implication that every PGWP holder can support a spouse OWP
- Any statement that dependent children remain generally eligible under the high-skilled temporary worker measure
Current Rule to Show
- TEER 0 and TEER 1 can qualify under the general high-skilled measure
- Only selected TEER 2 and 3 occupations qualify under that measure
- General high-skilled category normally requires at least 16 months of principal work authorization remaining
- PR-linked workers and special programs can have different eligibility rules
- Low-skilled workers without an eligible PR pathway generally cannot support a new family OWP under this measure
How Sia Immigration Can Help
NOC & TEER Verification
Review the principal worker's actual duties, NOC and TEER and determine whether the occupation is currently eligible.
Category Assessment
Determine whether the application fits the general high-skilled measure, a PR-linked pathway, a special B.C. measure or another family OWP category.
Application Preparation
Prepare or review relationship, employment, work-permit and pathway evidence before filing the spouse's application.
Worker Spouse Open Work Permit FAQs
Can the spouse of every foreign worker get an open work permit?
Which TEER occupations qualify for a spouse open work permit?
Do all TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations qualify?
How much validity must remain on the principal worker's permit?
Can the spouse of a PGWP holder get an open work permit?
Can the spouse of a TEER 4 or 5 worker get an open work permit?
Can a worker in British Columbia qualify at any TEER level?
Can the spouse work for any employer?
How much does a spouse open work permit cost?
Can an existing spouse open work permit be extended?
Check the Principal Worker's Exact NOC Before Applying
Worker spouse open work permit eligibility can no longer be determined from the words “skilled worker” alone. The principal worker's exact NOC, TEER, employment, remaining permit validity and permanent-residence pathway must be reviewed together.
Sia Immigration Solutions can assess the principal worker and spouse before an application is filed.
