Canada
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
Overview
A Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) allows the spouse or common-law partner of certain temporary residents in Canada to work for any employer, in any occupation, without the need for a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This permit supports family unity and helps spouses gain Canadian work experience, which can benefit future permanent residence applications.
IRCC has updated eligibility rules for SOWPs in 2024 and 2025, especially for spouses of international students and foreign workers. Understanding these changes is essential for determining if you qualify.
Table of Contents
1. Who Can Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit?
You may be eligible for a SOWP if your spouse or partner is one of the following:
You can apply if your spouse:
- Holds a valid work permit
- Works in a high-skilled occupation in NOC TEER 0 or 1
- OR works in a selected occupation in TEER 2 or 3 that is experiencing labour shortages, such as:
- Natural and applied sciences
- Construction
- Health care
- Natural resources
- Education
- Military or sports-related fields
Additionally:
- The principal worker must hold a work permit valid for at least 16 months beyond the date of your application.
- They must reside or plan to reside in Canada during their employment.
As of January 21, 2025, IRCC narrowed eligibility for spouses of foreign workers to support economic needs and labour shortages.
As of March 19, 2024, only spouses or partners of international students enrolled in the following programs are eligible:
Graduate-Level Programs:
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
Undergraduate Professional Degree Programs (university level only):
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
- Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng., BE, BASc)
Spouses of students in general undergraduate programs, diplomas, or certificates are no longer eligible for a SOWP.
To apply, the spouse must submit:
- Proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate)
- One of the following documents showing enrolment:
- A valid Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- A current proof of enrolment letter
- Transcripts from the current program
You can apply for a SOWP if:
- You are in Canada
- You have submitted a sponsorship application under the Inland Spousal/Common-law Class
- You have temporary resident status (visitor, student, or worker)
- You received the Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) for your PR application
2. Eligibility Requirements
Regardless of category, all SOWP applicants must:
- Be in a genuine relationship with the principal applicant
- Submit a complete application with supporting documents
- Meet general admissibility requirements (e.g., biometrics, medical exams if required)
- Maintain valid temporary resident status in Canada or restore it if applying inland
3. Documents Required
The required documents depend on the category you are applying under. Applicants may need to provide the following documents as part of their work permit application:
- Valid passport
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law status
- Proof of relationship (e.g., joint lease, bank accounts, communication records)
- Copy of your spouse’s study/work permit or approval letter
- Proof of enrolment or employment
- Letter from employer (for foreign workers)
- Digital photo
- Family information form (IMM 5707)
- Biometrics and medical exam (if required)
- Proof of payment
- Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter
4. Fees
$155
Work permit fee
$100
Open work permit holder fee
$85
Biometrics fee (if applicable)
5. Validity of the Work Permit
The SOWP is typically valid until the same date as the spouse’s permit, whether a study or work permit. It must be extended if the principal’s permit is extended.
6. What If You’re Not Eligible?
If you are not eligible for a SOWP, you may:
- Apply for a visitor visa (TRV) to accompany your spouse (you cannot work on a TRV)
- Apply for a different work permit, such as:
- LMIA-supported employer-specific work permit
- LMIA-exempt work permit under international agreements (e.g., CUSMA)
7. Conclusion
The Spousal Open Work Permit remains an important option for families to stay together and build a life in Canada. However, the eligibility criteria—especially for spouses of international students and foreign workers—have become more targeted in 2024 and 2025.
Always ensure that your spouse’s program or job meets the current IRCC requirements before submitting your application.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. You may work for any employer in any province, with no restrictions on hours or occupation.
No. As of March 19, 2024, you are only eligible if your spouse is in a graduate or approved professional undergraduate program.
Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR), is a formal confirmation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that they have received your complete application. It indicates that your file has passed the initial completeness check and has been entered into IRCC’s processing system.
Yes. You may qualify through PGWP and Canadian Experience Class.
The time it takes to receive an AOR depends on the type of application submitted. For Express Entry applicants, the AOR is usually issued within 24 hours to a few days after submitting the electronic application for permanent residence. For the sponsorship application, the AOR may be received within a few weeks, although processing times can vary depending on the volume of applications being handled by IRCC.