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Spousal Open Work Permit Explained
Our spousal open work permit program provides couples looking to work in Canada an authorization to get a job without necessarily having an employment offer. We help dependent spouses process their application for an open work permit in Canada. Since the permit is affiliated with Labour Impact Market Assessment (LIMA), we ensure the procedure follows the requirements of the agency. The LIMA and NOC work hand-in-hand to oversee the open work permit process in Canada.
To set the Spouses Open Permit application into motion, the principal worker ought to have at least a 6 months valid work permit. Alongside this major requirement, the principal worker must be employed in one of the occupations accredited by the National Occupational Certification (NOC) skill types. Alternatively, other technical or skilled trades that fall under this category can be considered fit for the permit. There’s the last requirement of physically residing in Canada while working.
Spouse Open Work Permit for International Students In Canada
Inviting your spouse to Canada as an international student isn’t as impossible as most people think of it nowadays. The work permit eligible for your common-law partner enables them to get a job in the country while you study full-time. Your spouse has the option to work within the campus environs or off-campus using their open work permit upon approval. Since the permit isn’t job-specific, spouses of international students could work as non-academic staff within the school premises.
The wide range of job options with the open work permit enables your common-law partner to choose the most fitting employer without interrupting your studies. Be rest assured you’d spend ample time with your spouse since the work permit remains valid for as long as your academic program runs.
As long as you remain an international student with a valid student’s visa, your partner’s spousal open work permit stays valid. In very rare instances, your partner might need a medical exam.
Who Is Eligible?
Individuals who meet the requirements of the National Occupational Certification (NOC) skill types are eligible to apply for open work permits. Spouses or common-law partners of international students running full-time academic programs in Canada are eligible for the permits. These valid study permits are instrumental in processing the open work permits of their spouses coming into the country. Of course, the acclaimed spouses would have to present documents to prove the partnership
Also, your eligibility status is guaranteed when your spouse is currently applying for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. Again, their occupation under the pilot program has to align with the job standards from NOC. Spouses of members of a foreign representative are also eligible to get their open work permits.
The eligibility status also extends to applicants who have foreign military spouses working in Canada at the time. Attaching their open work permits increases your chances of approval.
When Should You Apply?
Spouses looking to get open work permits to have the options to apply before or after coming into the country. The validity of work permits always falls within the timeframe of the study permits issued. Processing open work permits outside Canada can be achieved at affiliated centres (Canadian Visa Offices) in various countries across the globe. The process attracts additional charges for sending the documents through the consulate of that county to Canada.
Alternatively, applicants could plan to visit their spouses over a period and process their open work permit during their short stay in Canada. While this may not seem like a comfortable option, the record of your visit is stamped on your passport which could be a plus while applying. In very few instances when spouses never require a TRV, the application process could be processed from the airport or border – Making it easy to get the open work permit promptly after crossing into Canada.
Spousal Open Work Permit Under Different Programs
Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) Work Permit Holders
Our program supports the issuing of open work permits to the spouses of AIP participants with employment following NOC skill level. We help to provide open work permits with a validation timeframe similar to the validity of the principal worker’s permit. Of course, this doesn’t exceed the 12 months limitation of open work permits. In a few cases, the validity of the open work permits could be extended to tally with the expiration timeframe of the spouses’ travel document.
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Holders
With the principal worker in Canada being a BOWP holder, the open work permit procedure can be completed following a few requirements. For people applying with Federal Skilled Workers Class (FSWC), the BOWP holder must currently have an occupation that meets NOC standards. Spouses of Provincial Nominee Class (PNC) applicants get their permit which expires after the duration of the PNC job. FSTC, CEC, HCCPP, and AFP applicants also get benefits associating with a BOWP holder.
Provincial Nominee Work Permit (PNWP) Holders
PNWP holders are individuals nominated by the province they reside in to become permanent residents of the area. The spouses of these residents are eligible to open work permits for the timeframe the travel documents of their common-law partners remain valid as well as their provincial residential status. Regardless of the skill levels of the PNWP holders, the expiration of their travel documents terminates the open work permits automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes; Applicants of spousal work permits have the option of applying from various countries with Canada Visa Offices or in Canada.
Yes, your spouse can apply for an open work permit.
Application fees for spousal work permits could vary between 1,500 CAD and 2,000 CAD as a result of the several immigration fees.
Processing time varies for different applicants depending on the types of documents tendered during application. For specific processing time and access to other relevant information about open work permit, visit the official website.
--------- CANUS Immigration Consultancy Inc.
Unit 201-7025, Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON
Call Us: (905) 673-9176
Email Us: info@canusimmigration.ca
Unit 210A,2970 Drew Road, Mississauga, ON
Call Us: (905)291-1030
Email Us: maninder@canusimmigration.ca
Suite 203, 150 Dufferin Avenue, London, ON
Call Us: (519) 821-2777
