Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
Published date: Feb 2023 • Author: AdmitSpot Immigration Team
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A spousal open work permit is a type of work permit that is issued to the spouse or common-law partner of an international student who is studying full-time in Canada or to the spouse of a worker who is currently working in Canada on a valid work permit. If you are married to or in a common-law relationship with someone who is studying or working in Canada, or if you have applied to be sponsored by your spouse or partner for permanent residency in Canada, you may be eligible for a spousal open work permit.
With this type of work permit, your spouse can work for any employer in Canada, and your children can attend Canadian schools. If your application for a spousal open work permit is approved, you will be issued a permit that allows you to work for multiple employers in any location in Canada, with some restrictions.
When to Apply for Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
You can apply for a spousal open work permit either before or after you arrive in Canada. The length of time for which the work permit is valid will generally be the same as the duration of your spouse's study or work permit. The spousal open work permit is linked to the permit of the "lead applicant," which is your spouse or partner, and it will only be valid for as long as their permit. If your spousal open work permit expires, you will need to reapply based on your spouse's permit.
If you are married to or in a common-law relationship with someone who is studying or working in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for a spousal open work permit either before or after you arrive in Canada. Generally, the duration of the work permit issued for spouses will match the length of time of the student's study permit or worker's work permit. It is important to note that the spousal open work permit is linked to the permit of the "lead applicant," which is your spouse or partner, and it will only be valid for as long as their permit. If your spousal open work permit expires, you will need to reapply based on your spouse's permit.
Criteria for Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
To qualify for a spousal open work permit, there are certain minimum requirements that you must meet, which include:
Eligibility for Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
The eligibility for a spousal visa depends on its type. Let us try to understand it in detail by understanding different scenarios.
If the Principal is a foreign worker
If the Principal is an international student
For the spouse to be eligible for the open work permit, the principal applicant must have a valid status of a student in Canada and should be pursuing a full-time course at:
If the Principal has applied for Spousal Sponsorship
For the spouse to be eligible for the open work permit, the principal applicant must be a Canadian Permanent Residence or a Canadian Citizen.
Document Requirements for Spousal Open Work Permit
The basic document requirements for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) in Canada may include:
The spouse open work permit application procedure will differ depending on which type of spouse open work permit you need. The first step is determining which work permit is best for you. If you want to get expert guidance where our counsellors handhold you throughout the process, book a free consultation session with AdmitSpot now.
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