When one partner gets a Canadian work or study permit, the first family question is always the same: can the other one work too? Often yes — through the spousal open work permit (SOWP), which lets your spouse or common-law partner work for nearly any Canadian employer.

Who currently qualifies

Eligibility has tightened in recent years, so ignore outdated forum advice. Broadly, an SOWP is available to partners of:

  • Skilled workers — principal permit holders working in higher-TEER occupations (with sufficient permit time remaining)
  • Students in eligible programs — now generally limited to graduate-level (master's/doctoral) and certain professional programs, a significant narrowing from earlier rules
  • PR applicants under inland spousal sponsorship — an open permit keeps the sponsored partner working while the application processes

Because these categories shift with policy, verify current criteria before building plans on them — this is exactly the kind of moving target we track for clients.

Proving the relationship

The SOWP is a relationship-based permit, so the relationship is the evidence: marriage certificate or proof of 12+ months' cohabitation for common-law couples, joint finances or leases, photos across time, and communication history. Thin relationship evidence is the most common SOWP weakness — officers refuse what they can't verify.

Strategy note: a working spouse doesn't just add income — their Canadian experience can later make them the stronger principal applicant for PR. We routinely flip families' plans this way after year one. See the CRS guide on spousal points.

Practicalities

Fees total $255 ($155 processing + $100 open permit holder fee), plus biometrics if not already given. The SOWP's validity generally mirrors the principal's permit. Children can usually attend Canadian public schools alongside — making the SOWP the piece that turns one person's job into a family's move.

FAQ

We're not married — does the SOWP apply?

Common-law partners qualify after 12 continuous months of cohabitation, documented. Girlfriend/boyfriend relationships without cohabitation do not.

Can my spouse apply from inside Canada?

Often yes, if they hold valid temporary status — visitor status included in many cases.

Moving to Canada as a Couple?

The right permit sequence can double a household's income and PR progress. We plan both partners' files together — start free.

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This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Program requirements, fees, and IRCC policies change without notice. Always consult a licensed Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer before applying. Mirus Immigration consultants are registered members of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). No guarantee of immigration outcomes is expressed or implied.