How to get an open work permit for your spouse or partner during the sponsorship process

When sponsoring your spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residence, your partner may be eligible to obtain an open work permit (OWP).

The sponsored person can only apply for this OWP after you have submitted your application to sponsor them for Permanent Residence (PR). They must apply for the OWP from within Canada.

If your partner obtains an OWP, they will be legally authorized to work for most employers, in most industries in Canada.

Who can apply to receive an OWP during the sponsorship process?

Both the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (Inland) and Family Class (Outland) sponsorship applications give the sponsored person the ability to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) if they are in Canada.

To be eligible to receive an OWP, your loved one must be:

• In a genuine relationship with the sponsor;
• Included in an application for PR, and have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) for their PR application from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), confirming that IRCC has received and is processing the application; and
• Living in Canada with the sponsor.