Categories: Work Permit

How to Apply for an Open Work Permit For Your Spouse

An open work permit is a work permit that does not require any job offer or LMIA. It simply allows an individual to work in Canada during their stay. You may be eligible for an open work permit if:

You are already in Canada and you have applied for permanent residence and have been approved either under:

spousal or common law partner in Canada class
live-in caregiver program
federal skilled worker program
Canadian experience class
provincial nominee program
federal skilled trades program
humanitarian and compassionate grounds
a family member of someone who’s application for permanent residence has been approved for one of the listed programs

2. Your spouse is either a skilled worker under the National Occupation Classification or a foreign student.

3. You are in Canada under a federal/provincial agreement, such as an active pilot project or are the spouse of dependent of that individual.

You have a temporary resident permit valid for a minimum of six months

You are taking part in the Canada World Youth Program or International Experience Canada.

You have filed a refugee claim in Canada and are waiting on a response and cannot pay for basic needs without working.

Your refugee claim has been rejected, but the government of Canada is not removing you from the country yet.

You are a family member of a foreign representative.

You are a family member of a foreign military member who is working in Canada

You are a professional athlete playing for a Canadian team and need to work to support yourself during this period in time.

As long as you are any of the above, you are eligible to apply for an open work permit. An open work permit can be applied for either from within Canada, outside of Canada, or at the port of entry.

If you are applying for an open work permit from outside of Canada, you would use the regular work permit application and within that application you will specify that it is an open work permit application.

If you are applying from inside of Canada, the application is different. The application you would use in this situation is the application to change conditions or extend your stay in Canada. While filling out this application you will also just be required to check the appropriate box for an open work permit.

If you are looking at applying for an Open Work Permit, please contact us today! At Akrami & Associates, there is Always a Way!

Shabnam Akrami

Shabnam Akrami is the Managing Partner and Founder of Akrami & Associates. p> Prior to receiving her Paralegal Diploma with Honours, she completed her Law Degree from the UK at the University of London as well as completed a Post Graduate Diploma. In addition, she has also graduated from York University where she received both her Bachelor in Criminology and Masters in Socio-Legal Studies. She is also a Member in good standing with Law Society of Upper Canada. Prior to opening her own firm, she gained extensive experience in corporate immigration law; specializing in work permits, temporary resident permits and rehabilitation cases. She has in depth and hands on experience in all Canadian Immigration and Citizenship matters. These matters include preparation and submission of applications for permanent residence, work permits, NAFTA applications, labour market opinions, temporary resident permits, sponsorships, and business investors. Shabnam is dedicated to all her clients and committed to the successful completion of all the immigration matters in her care. With Shabnam, there is always a way!