Numerous international students in Canada opt to bring their spouses along with them. These spouses may qualify to apply for an open work permit, granting them the opportunity to work in the country. This guide will outline the eligibility criteria and application procedure for individuals in this situation.
Typically, spouses can apply for a SOWP once the international student's classes have commenced. Many individuals choose this route to expedite and streamline the study permit application process.
An open work permit, being non-specific to any job, is also applicable to international students enrolled in the post-graduate work program or the spouses of international students.
For an international student to apply for an open work permit for their spouse, they must meet the following criteria:
Open work permits issued to spouses of international students typically have the same validity length as their partners’ study permits. This rule remains unchanged, though new restrictions limit SOWPs to spouses of students in eligible programs only.
Here are the steps to apply for an open work permit for the spouse of an international student in Canada:
Begin by visiting the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website to start the application for a work permit. Download the application package and complete the IMM 5710 form provided.
Collect the documents listed in the Document Checklist from the application package. These documents include:
Proceed to pay the CAD 255 application fee online. Print the receipt for this payment and include it with the application before submission.
IRCC has increased the fee for restoring worker status, which now applies to spouses of international students seeking to reapply under certain conditions.
IRCC may reach out if any additional information or documents are required from the spouse. Upon approval, the spouse will receive their open work permit document by mail.
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