Spouse Open Work Permit Canada (SOWP)

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of family and the togetherness of the couples and hence provides SOWP which means Spousal Open Work Permit. Through this immigration program an individual can bring in their spouse or common-law partner or a conjugal partner by availing them of the beneficial opportunities to live and work along with them in Canada.

The Canadian Government initiated this type of work permit with a view to favoring the people who have migrated to Canada either for study or work as temporary residents. This Open Work Permit allows the individual to work in any job designation they are qualified for even without the LMIA restrictions.

The Main eligibility criteria to apply for a Spousal Open Work permit is that their spouse must have a valid study or work permit with a minimum validity of more than 6 months to stay and live in Canada. Also, to know more details about the eligibility requirements based on the NOC or type of study which would help the primary applicant to sponsor for a spousal visa, please visit Croyez Immigration directly or connect with one of our consultants for more clarity on the Spousal Open Work Permit.

Tips for a Successful Spouse Open Work Permit Application

Once the primary applicant has received their valid temporary resident visa to enter and stay in Canada for a period of more than 6-months, based on their visa validity their spouse can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit. A recent update from the IRCC was that, if the primary applicant has taken a master’s course or Doctoral course (Fellowship programs) they can only sponsor their spouse to enter Canada on a Spousal Open Work Permit. Otherwise if the primary applicant is working on a valid work permit under a National occupational Classification, they are also eligible to sponsor their spouse to bring them on a SOWP.

Highlights of Spousal Open Work Permit Canada (SOWP)

  • Free from LMIA or a job offer

    As this program is not job-specific, one can apply for Canada spousal open work permit (SOWP) without any valid job offer.

  • Freedom to accept any job offer

    The SOWP holders after landing in Canada have the freedom to work anywhere in Canada under any Canadian employer.

  • Option to bring in your dependent children

    The validity for a Spousal open work permit is determined based on the validity of the primary temporary resident visa holder who is either a master’s student or Immigrant worker on a Closed or Open work permit.

  • Validity

    The validity for a Spousal open work permit is as same as the validity of their partner’s study or Canadian work permit

  • Support your partner with your company

    As both your permit and the primary applicants are of the same validity, you can work and support your partner throughout the study/work tenure in Canada by generating additional revenue which will strengthen your financial well-being.

  • Canadian work experience builds a pathway to PR

    A year of work experience in Canada invariably gets you the privilege to apply for a Canadian PR.

Spouse open work permit document checklist & Application Process

The primary applicant must hold an approved temporary resident visa with a validity of more than 6-months to sponsor their spouse on a SOWP. Proof of Marriage and proper documentation based on the IRCC’s checklist is always the key for a positive response. The applicant must hold a clear medical & criminal record to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit. Establishing your financial stability (Proof of Funds) is also mandatory.

Eligibility Requirements for Spousal Work Permit and Visa

The basic minimum requirements one has to meet to avail the SOWP are as follows:

  • One must be qualified as a spouse exhibiting a true relationship with the migrant –the primary applicant who has their valid work or study permit as the case may be
  • One should be free from criminal or medical inadmissibility to enter Canada

When to Apply for Spousal Work Visa Canada?

On considering the application processing time for Spousal open work permit (which takes about a month but due to pandemic this is between 3 and 5 months) and the validity of your partner’s work or study permit it is advised to apply as soon as your partner’s permit is issued on approval as the validity would be the same for your SOWP permit as well.

Document Checklist for Spousal Open Work Permit

The applicants should be aware of the documents which stand mandatory under any circumstances to apply for the spousal open work permit.

Inviter Documents

  • A copy of valid passport along with Visa stamping
  • A copy of the work permit or study permits as applicable.
  • Letter of enrollment confirming the admission from the DLI (Designated Learning Institution)
  • Proof of Employment
  • Address proof
  • T4 – Statement of Remuneration Paid tax slip
  • Bank statements (last 4 months)

Invitee Documents (Applicant’s documents)

  • A valid passport
  • Recent Passport size phonograph in Canadian format
  • Proof of Employment
  • Proof of relationship-Marriage certificate
  • Proof of sufficient funds
  • Medical Clearance Certificate
  • PCC-Police clearance Certificate (if applicable)

Processing Time for SOWP (Spouse Open Work) Permit Applications

Typically, a Canadian SOWP (Spouse Open Work Permit) takes 3-4 months to process. However, this is an estimate, and the actual processing time can vary depending on several factors, including:

  • Where you apply from: Processing times can differ by country.
  • Application completeness: Ensure all required documents are included.
  • Case complexity: Complex situations may take longer.

The process time for a Spousal Open Work Permit varies based on the application request has been placed from. Below is the detailed elaboration on the timeline. Also, this might vary from time to time, so please check the IRCC portal for accurate details on the processing time or connect with our consultants to clarify your doubts on documentation and processing related queries.

Application Placed Processing Time
SOWP applied from outside Canada 20 weeks
SOWP, BOWP, SOWP Extn applied from inside of Canada 101 days

How to Apply for Spouse Open Work Permit in Canada

  • To apply for a SOWP, make sure your primary applicant meets the requirements placed by the IRCC to sponsor for your visa application.
  • Once your eligibility is confirmed, start working towards the documentation based on the requirements placed by the Canadian High Commission
  • Then submit the documents in the IRCC portal
  • Then you would receive updates to submit your biometrics, if this is your first application for Canada in the last 10-years.
  • You can then book an appointment in the nearest VAC.
  • Once your biometrics you would receive a confirmation in your profile
  • Wait for the results till the processing time advised by the IRCC
  • Upon the positive response, you will have to submit your passport for stamping
  • After the passport has been stamped, you are free to enter the Country any time between the duration of your validity.

Canada spousal open work permit cost?

The processing fee and the processing time tends to vary from time to time, so it is always advisable to check the IRCC website or contact our expert consultants to guide through the fee structure and payment methods to complete them. Also, there are various fees requested by the Canadian government during the time of submission. Apart from this your establishment of financial stability in your country of residence or origin is mandatory.

Sponsorship Fee $
Principal Applicant Processing Fee $
Right of Permanent Resident Fee (RPRF) $
Dependent Children $

Who is eligible for a Spouse Open Work Permit?

Before you acquire your Open Work Permit, there are certain eligibility requirements. You are eligible if you meet the following requisites.

Category Principal applicant’s occupational skill level requirement Principal applicant’s minimum work permit length
Spouses or common-law partners of Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) work permit holders 0, A, or B 6 months
Spouses or common-law partners of Quebec selection certificate (CSQ) holders Any occupational skill level 6 months
Spouses or common-law partners of provincial nominees Any occupational skill level 6 months
Spouses or common-law partners of bridging open work permit (BOWP) holders Varies depending on the program the principal applicant applies under 6 months
Spouses or common-law partners of open work permit holders other than BOWP (incl. PGWP, IEC) 0, A, or B N/A
Spouses or common-law partners of study permit holders N/A N/A
In Canada spousal/common-law sponsorship applicants N/A N/A

Can my Spouse or Partner Sponsor me for an Open Work Permit?

Yes, you can sponsor your spouse for a spousal open work permit.

  • The only condition is that you need to have enough funds to support your spouse financially.
  • Not only this, but you also need to show that they will abide by the laws and will once their work permit ends.

Also, In order for a foreign national to apply for permanent residency sponsorship through the in-Canada stream of the spousal sponsorship program, the application must have been submitted from within Canada.

  • In case the sponsorship application has not been submitted, one can submit all the sponsorship, permanent residence, and open work permit applications together in a single envelope in hard copy, including all required documents and payment proofs. These should be sent to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M), Ontario.
  • If the permanent residence application has been submitted but has not yet received approval in principle, one may submit the open work permit application in hard copy to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC-V), Alberta.
  • Once the permanent residence application has received approval in principle, the open work permit application can be submitted online or in hard copy to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC-V), Alberta.

Approval in principle (AIP) means that a person’s permanent residency application has been assessed by IRCC to meet the eligibility requirements but is yet to undergo processing for medical exams and security/background checks. Although the application has passed through some stages of processing, the AIP does not guarantee permanent residency as it’s subject to further verifications and assessments.

To submit a work permit application alongside their permanent residency application, a foreign national must have valid status in Canada (such as visitor, student, or worker). If the applicant is out of status, they must wait for their permanent residency application to receive AIP before submitting their work permit application.

Who can Apply for Spouse Work Permit Canada?

The spouse or common-law partners of the Canadian permit holders who are currently residing in Canada or about to enter Canada through the following Canadian study or work Permits

What Factors Make Me Ineligible to Sponsor a Spouse for a Spouse Open Work Permit?

The Government’s website mentions many factors for which you might be unable to sponsor your spouse for the spousal open work permit requirements. These are given below.

  • If you are less than 18 years old.
  • You do not intend to live in Canada after getting the PR.
  • You are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident under the Canadian Indian Act.
  • You have a temporary visa which is your purpose for visiting is to study or work.
  • Your PR application is under process.
  • You do not have enough funds to support your spouse.
  • You were sponsored by your spouse less than 5 years ago to become a permanent resident.

How to Apply for a Spouse Open Work Permit?

Before you apply for a Spousal open Work Permit, review the guidance and information provided by IRCC on their official website, decide the type of spousal open work permit category you are eligible for, and contact Croyez Immigration for further assistance to avail your spousal open work permit without any obstacles thus avoiding any rejection or refusal.

What If You Have Children? Does Spousal Open Work Permit In Canada allow you to bring them to Canada?

Yes. you can bring your dependent child to Canada with the Spousal Open Work Permit in Canada. However, the eligibility criteria must be met:

  • An immigration officer must be convinced that they are only temporarily living in Canada.
  • Child is under 22 years old and does not have a spouse or common-law partner.
  • Must prove they do not have a criminal record.
  • Meet all the requirements for a temporary Canada visa.

How To Renew Your Spousal Open Work Permit?

There is no way in which your SOWP can be renewed. This is so it is tied to the lead applicant, meaning once your permit expires, your spouses’ will too. Due to the same, you will have to reapply for the permit once the truth ends.

What Are The Benefits of an Open Work Permit For Spouse?

  1. A Chance to Live with your Partner: The key benefit of the SOWP is living with your spouse and spending quality time together as a family during their temporary stay in Canada.
  2. Work Anywhere: Once you get the spousal open work permit, you have the chance to work anywhere you like in whatever field of expertise you are good at without any restrictions.
  3. Opportunity to work while waiting for another application: If, for instance, your partner has applied for the PR, then they can work on this permit while waiting for this application and set up a life for their future.