Family sponsorship
This is one service rebuilt for how people find and choose a consultant in 2026: a snippet-ready answer up top, a scannable eligibility table, the judgment a reader cannot get from canada.ca, an FAQ block, a clear next step, and developer notes with the schema markup. Use it as the pattern for the other services.
Spousal Open Work Permit
Does my spouse automatically qualify if I hold a Canadian work permit?
No. Since January 2025 it depends on your occupation. You generally need a TEER 0 or 1 job, or a select TEER 2 or 3 job on IRCC's current list, with at least 16 months left on your permit when your spouse applies.
My partner is an undergraduate or college student. Can I get a spousal open work permit?
Generally no. The student route now covers master's programs of 16 months or longer, doctoral programs, and listed professional programs, not typical undergraduate degrees or college diplomas.
My spouse works in retail or a warehouse. Do I qualify?
Usually not under the standard route, because those jobs tend to fall in TEER 4 or 5, which are outside the eligible levels. Depending on your situation there may still be other options, which is worth a quick check before you rule it out.
How long will my spousal open work permit last?
It is normally tied to your partner's permit and cannot run past it, or past your passport expiry. That is why the timing of the application matters.
Does it matter whether my partner's permit is LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt?
No. The type of permit does not affect your eligibility. What matters is the TEER level of the occupation on it.
We are common-law partners, not married. Can we still apply?
Yes, if you meet the definition of common-law partners, which generally means living together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months, with evidence to support it.