International students
Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada

Recent changes to eligibility criteria

Make sure you meet the new eligibility criteria before submitting your application.

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

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Who can apply

Your spouse or common-law partner must meet the eligibility criteria listed below to be eligible for an open work permit.

Starting January 21, 2025, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you have a valid study permit and you’re either

If they’re not eligible for this open work permit, they may be able to get another type of work permit.

Eligible programs
Province or territory Program name Eligibility period
Outside of Quebec Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) From August 26, 2024
Quebec Le projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’infirmières et d’infirmiers recrutés à l’international From April 30, 2024
Quebec
  • Projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’inhalothérapeutes formés à l’étranger
  • Projet de recrutement et reconnaissance des compétences de technologistes médicaux formés à l’étranger
From January 21, 2025
Ontario Supervised Practice Experience Partnership From January 21, 2025
Manitoba Nurse Re-Entry (Red River College Polytechnic) From January 21, 2025
British Columbia
  • Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (The University of British Columbia)
  • Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) (The University of British Columbia)
  • Post-Degree Diploma: Nursing Practice in Canada (Langara College)
From January 21, 2025

Documents to provide

Your spouse or common-law partner must provide one of the following documents to prove your enrolment in a program of study:

If applicable, they must also provide proof that you’re participating or enrolled in one of the eligible programs, such as

We’ll also ask them to provide additional documents, such as proof of their relationship to you, the student.

How long the open work permit will be valid

Most of the time, your spouse or common-law partner’s work permit will be valid for the same period of time as your study permit.

How to apply

In most cases, your spouse or common-law partner must apply online for a work permit.

Step 1: Make sure they have what they need

To apply online, they’ll need

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if they apply online, they should read the instruction guide before they complete their application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Prepare their answers for the online tool

Before they can upload their forms, they must answer some questions. We use their answers to create a personalized document checklist for them.

Open work permit applications for spouses or common-law partners of students

Due to a technical issue with online applications, you must use the following instructions to apply for the open permit online:

You’re applying from outside Canada
  • When asked: Will you be coming to Canada under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC?
    • Answer No
  • When asked: Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who has or is applying for a work permit?
    • Answer Yes
  • When asked: Are you a spouse or common-law partner of a person who holds a study permit?
    • Answer Yes
  • When asked: What type of work permit do you want to apply for?
    • Answer “A work permit for a spouse of an international student, or for a family member of a worker
You’re applying from inside Canada
  • When asked: Does one of the following apply to you? I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.
    • Answer No
  • When asked: Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who holds a valid work permit or is applying for a work permit?
    • Answer Yes
  • When asked: Are you a spouse or common-law partner of a person who holds a study permit?
    • Answer Yes

Step 4: Know the fees you have to pay

In most cases, their fees will include processing fees for them and anyone they include on their application.

We’ll ask them to pay their fees at the end of their application.

Step 5: Create their online account or sign in

They need an account to apply online. They can use their account to:

Create an account or sign in

If they can’t apply online

They can submit a paper application if either:

  • they can’t apply online because of a disability
  • there’s a problem with the online application

What to do if they can’t apply online

Extending an open work permit

Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to extend their existing open work permit under this stream if you meet the following requirements:

Additionally, your spouse or common-law partner cannot extend their open work permit under this stream beyond the expiration date of your study permit.

Documents you need

Your spouse or common-law partner must give the following documents to prove your enrolment in a program of study leading to a degree:

Extend your open work permit

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