WORK IN CANADA
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
Personal advice. A strategy built around your circumstances.
What it is
A spousal open work permit lets you work for almost any employer while your spouse or common-law partner works, studies or sponsors you in Canada. No job offer is needed.
Who is eligible
- Partner working in Canada: a TEER 0 or 1 job, or a listed TEER 2 or 3 job, with at least 16 months left on their permit when IRCC receives your application
- Partner studying in Canada: a master's program of 16 months or more, a PhD, or an eligible professional degree such as medicine, law, nursing or engineering
- Partner sponsoring you from inside Canada: you live together and hold valid status
Officers go by the occupation code on your partner's permit, not their actual duties. Dependent children don't qualify under the worker or student routes.
Find out whether your family qualifies. Book a 30-minute consultation.
Service information supplied by Visazone · October 24, 2026. Program requirements can change; confirm the requirements that apply to your circumstances.
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