Applying for an Open Work Permit (OWP) for Your Spouse or Partner During the Permanent Residency Sponsorship Process
If you are sponsoring your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residency (PR) in Canada, your partner may be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP). This type of permit allows them to work for most employers across various industries in Canada without needing a job-specific work permit. This article outlines the key requirements and steps to apply for an OWP for your spouse or partner.
Eligibility for OWP During Sponsorship Process
Individuals being sponsored for PR by a spouse or partner are eligible to apply for an OWP. However, certain conditions and procedures must be followed.
Steps to Apply for OWP
To apply for an OWP, your spouse or partner must do so after you submit the PR sponsorship application. In other words, they can only apply for the OWP once your application has been sent and must apply from within Canada.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for an OWP, your spouse or partner must:
Be in a genuine relationship with you (the sponsor).
Be included in the PR application and have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Be living in Canada with you.
Who Cannot Apply for an OWP:
If their PR application has been rejected, withdrawn, or returned.
If they intend to apply for the work permit at a port of entry.
Temporary Status and Application Steps
The process differs based on whether your partner has a valid temporary status in Canada.
1. If They Have Valid Temporary Status (e.g., Work/Study Permit, Visitor Visa, or eTA)
If your partner has valid temporary status in Canada, they can apply for the OWP after receiving the AOR via their secure IRCC account.
In certain urgent cases (e.g., if their status is expiring within two weeks), they may apply before receiving the AOR if the PR application has already been submitted.
2. If They Do Not Have Valid Temporary Status
In this case, they must wait until they receive the Approval in Principle (AIP) from IRCC before applying. They cannot apply for an OWP under public or pilot policies without this step.
How to Apply for the OWP
Once the PR sponsorship application has been submitted and your partner is in Canada, they should:
Log into or create a secure IRCC account.
Submit an online application for the OWP.
They will be asked questions about their current status and the type of work permit they are applying for. Then, a personalized document checklist will be generated.
Important Notes When Completing the OWP Application
IRCC recommends the following answers for the “Job Details” section in the OWP application:
Box 1 – Type of Work Permit Requested: Select “Open Work Permit“
Box 2 – Job Title and Description:
Job title: SCLPC FC OWP
Job description: SCLPC FC applicant in Canada public policy
After Submitting the Application
After the OWP application is submitted:
Your partner cannot start working until the OWP is approved and issued.
They must maintain legal temporary resident status in Canada while waiting.
If they already hold a valid Canadian work permit, they can continue working as long as they apply for the OWP before the current permit expires.
Once the application is approved:
A confirmation is sent online, and the actual OWP is mailed.
Your partner can begin working as soon as they receive the OWP.
Conclusion
Obtaining an Open Work Permit for your spouse or partner during the PR sponsorship process offers valuable opportunities for employment and financial stability while waiting for permanent residency approval. Although the process involves several steps and specific requirements, it provides many couples and families a meaningful chance to build their new life in Canada together.