In late 2022, Canada announced a new temporary two-year measure expanding eligibility for spouse or common-law partner open work permits. This is great news for IEC permit holders and their eligible loved ones, so let\u2019s clarify these changes!<\/p>\n
But first of all, you may want to take a refresher on the definition of \u201cspouse\u201d and \u201ccommon-law partner\u201d<\/a> for Canadian immigration purposes. This will help you find out if you meet one of the basic eligibility requirements for an open work permit.<\/p>\n The article Open and Closed Work Permits in Canada \u2013 The Fine Print Explaining the Difference<\/a> is also helpful in understanding various situations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Under the old system, the spouse or common-law partner of a closed work permit holder (e.g. Young Professionals or International Co-op permits) was eligible to apply for an open work permit if the principal foreign worker had secured a TEER\u00a00, 1, 2 or 3\u00a0job (\u201cTEER\u201d is the former \u201cNOC<\/a>\u201d).<\/p>\n The spouse or common-law partner of a Young Professionals permit holder<\/a> working a TEER\u00a04 job\u2014workers are eligible for a Young Professional permit if can present a higher education diploma or certificate for a TEER\u00a04 job\u2014was not eligible for an open work permit.<\/p>\n And again, under the old system, the spouse or common-law partner of an open work permit holder (e.g. Working Holiday work permit) was eligible to apply for an open work permit if the principal foreign worker had secured a TEER\u00a00, 1, 2 or 3\u00a0job and had started to receive their first Canadian pay slips.<\/p>\n Under a new two-year measure (until 2025), the spouse or common-law partner of a foreign work permit holder is eligible for an open work permit regardless of the job category of the principal foreign worker. Basically, TEER\u00a01, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 jobs are all eligible.\u00a0<\/p>\n These are the requirements set by the Government of Canada:<\/p>\n The principal foreign worker must meet 4\u00a0requirements:<\/p>\n – a valid work permit (employer-specific or open under a non-spousal category) In essence, the spouse or common-law partner of a Working Holiday permit holder is eligible to apply for an open permit the same as before. However, pay slips are no longer required, a letter or contract from the employer is enough as proof of employment in Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the official instructions<\/a>, the spouse or common-law partner must apply online for their open work permit.<\/p>\n However, on our Facebook group, Working Holiday permit holders report that it\u2019s not necessarily required to apply for the open work permit online before going to Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n Upon landing in Canada, the principal foreign worker and their spouse or common-law partner must present the following supporting documents:<\/p>\n Since this is a relatively new change, you may want to print out the page Changes to open work permit eligibility for family members of foreign workers<\/a> as published on the Government of Canada website.<\/p>\n If your spouse or common-law partner is already in Canada with you, you will have to \u201cflagpole<\/a>\u201d to have the open work permit issued.<\/p>\n Read Working Holiday (IEC): finding a job in Canada from your home country?<\/a> for tips and advice!<\/p>\n Browse all the job offers posted on pvtistes.net<\/a>\u2014these employers are familiar with the Working Holiday permit<\/a> and many of them know they can find awesome foreign talent<\/a>! These websites<\/a> are also very useful for your job hunt.<\/p>\n Create a great Canadian version of your resume!<\/p>\nOpen work permit eligibility requirements for a spouse\/common-law partner up to January\u00a029, 2023<\/h4>\n
Open work permit eligibility requirements for a spouse\/common-law partner as of January\u00a029, 2023<\/h4>\n
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\n– an authorization to\u00a0work without a work permit\u00a0(exception:\u00a0family members of students who can work off campus or who are transitioning to PGWP are\u00a0not\u00a0eligible)<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s the process to apply for an open work permit as the spouse or common-law partner of a foreign worker?<\/h4>\n
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Any tips on finding a job in Canada from abroad? I\u2019d like to get my spouse or common-law partner an open work permit right away\u2026<\/h4>\n