Spouse Open Work Permit

You’re a spouse or family member of someone working or studying temporarily in Canada

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’re:

• a spouse of a skilled worker in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B approved to work in Canada six months or longer
• a spouse of someone applying for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program in a job under NOC 0, A, B or C
• a spouse of a foreign student at a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university or collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec
• a family member of a foreign representative, or
• a family member of a foreign military member who is working in Canada

If your spouse has an open work permit (e.g. post-graduation work permit), you must attach a copy of your spouse’s work permit to your application for an open work permit, along with:

• a letter from your spouse’s current employer that confirms they work there in a NOC 0, A or B occupation, or a copy of your spouse’s employment offer or contract, and
• a copy of your spouse’s recent pay slips

Your permit will not be valid longer than your spouse’s work permit.

You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.