Spousal Open Work Permit

A spousal open work permit is a type of work permit that allows the spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to work in Canada. This work permit is not tied to a specific employer, which means that the spouse or partner can work for any employer in Canada.

To be eligible for a spousal open work permit, the applicant's spouse or partner must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and they must have applied for permanent residency for the applicant as a spouse or common-law partner. The applicant must also meet certain eligibility criteria, such as passing a medical exam and obtaining a police certificate.

The spousal open work permit is usually issued for the same period as the spouse or partner's study or work permit, if applicable. If the spouse or partner is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but does not have a study or work permit, the open work permit may be issued for up to one year.

The spousal open work permit allows the applicant to work in any job in Canada, and the employer doesn't need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire the applicant. This makes it easier for the applicant to find employment and for the spouse or partner to support the family financially while the permanent residency application is being processed.