SPOUSE/COMMON-LAW WORK PERMIT
In most cases, your spouse or common-law partner can work in Canada. However, they will usually need a work permit to work in Canada. They must apply for their own work permit.
In some cases, your spouse or common-law partner may be able to apply for an open work permit—allowing him or her to accept any job with any employer.
a spouse or family member of someone working or studying temporarily in Canada
Eligibility Criteria
You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’re:
- a spouse of a skilled worker in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B approved to work in Canada six months or longer,
- a spouse of a foreign student at a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university or collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec,
- a family member of a foreign representative, or
- a family member of a foreign military member who is working in Canada.
