Work experience in Canada: the Young Professionals work permit

Can my spouse or partner get a work permit too?

The rule for all IEC work permit categories (Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op—Internship) is simple—each applicant must submit a profile to an IEC pool and applications are assessed separately.

Basically, your spouse or common-law partner will NOT automatically get a work permit under IEC to come with you.

However, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for a student visa or an open work permit. They could also come to Canada as a visitor.

In a few cases, their status as spouse or common-law partner of an IEC permit holder might help. For instance, if you are working in an occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 and you have a six-month (or more) Young Professionals work permit, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit.

For more details, read IEC Canada — Spouse or common-law partner open work permit 101.